Legislative Activity

The Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act of 2025 establishes a new National Recreation Area in Maryland and Virginia to protect and enhance public access to the Chesapeake Bay's natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources. The Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land for the recreation area through various means, develop a comprehensive management plan, and coordinate with existing Chesapeake Bay programs. It also creates an Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary on the management and development of the National Recreation Area. This act aims to improve conservation and public enjoyment of the Chesapeake Bay.

The "Union Station Redevelopment Corporation Funding Eligibility Act" aims to make the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) eligible for various federal grants related to infrastructure and rail improvements. It amends existing laws to include the USRC as an eligible entity for BUILD grants, National Infrastructure Project Assistance Grants, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Grants, and Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grants. For projects awarded to the USRC, the federal share of these grants is set to 100 percent of the total eligible project costs. This bill seeks to ensure full funding for the redevelopment of Union Station.

The IDEA Full Funding Act amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to authorize and appropriate specific funding amounts for fiscal years 2026 through 2035 and subsequent years. It aims to increase federal funding for special education, gradually working towards full federal funding by fiscal year 2035. The funding is calculated based on the number of children with disabilities receiving special education and the average per-pupil expenditure in public schools. This act ensures that funds are available to states to support special education and related services for children with disabilities.

The Taiwan Allies Fund Act aims to bolster Taiwan's international standing by authorizing $40 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028 to counter Chinese influence and support countries that maintain or strengthen ties with Taiwan. These funds will support initiatives such as health programs, civil society capacity building, supply chain diversification, and alternatives to Chinese development assistance. The Act requires the Secretary of State to coordinate these efforts and report annually to Congress on the activities and their success. It encourages collaboration with Taiwan to ensure commensurate contributions to recipient countries.

The COST of Relocations Act requires federal agencies to conduct a benefit-cost analysis and submit a report to their Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Congress before carrying out a "covered relocation," which involves moving or replacing a significant number of employees. The OIG then reviews the report and submits its own report to specific congressional committees, assessing the agency's adherence to OMB guidelines and the justification for using federal funds for the relocation. These reports must be made publicly available, excluding proprietary or confidential information. This aims to ensure transparency and careful evaluation of the financial and practical impacts of agency relocations.

The NEWBORN Act authorizes funding for infant mortality pilot programs in areas with high infant mortality rates. Grants will be awarded to eligible entities for up to 5 years to create, implement, and oversee these programs. Funds can be used for community needs assessment, outreach to at-risk mothers, and coordination between health departments and existing entities. The Act allocates $10,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2029 to support these programs.

The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 aims to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed through various initiatives. It establishes partnerships to support agricultural producers in implementing conservation activities, expands the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and creates a pilot program for landowners to establish and manage conservation practices. The act also invests in workforce development for food and agricultural sciences and streamlines the hiring process for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Finally, it transfers regulatory oversight of invasive catfish species to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.

This bill restricts the sale and export of specific defense articles to the United Arab Emirates. These restrictions will remain in place until the President certifies to Congress that the UAE is not supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. The restrictions apply to items listed under Categories I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XIV, XVI, XVII, or XVIII of the United States Munitions List.

The "Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act" amends the Highway Safety Improvement Program to include projects that connect bicycle or pedestrian paths and reduce safety risks for vulnerable road users. It allows the federal government to cover up to 100% of the cost for these highway safety projects and broadens the types of safety plans that qualify for funding. Additionally, the bill allows funds for highway safety to count towards the non-federal share of project costs under certain conditions.

The "Protect Our Probationary Employees Act" allows certain federal employees who were involuntarily separated from their positions between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029, while serving a probationary period, to resume that probationary period if reappointed to a similar position within their former agency. The resumed probationary period will last for the remaining duration of the original probationary period. This provision is set to expire on January 20, 2029.

The "Farewell to Foam Act of 2025" bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene food service ware, loose fill, and coolers starting January 1, 2028. The EPA Administrator is tasked with enforcing the ban, with escalating fines for repeat offenders, and is authorized to allow states to carry out enforcement. This act aims to reduce environmental pollution caused by polystyrene foam products.

The Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025 establishes the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site at Public School 103 in Baltimore, Maryland, where Marshall attended elementary school. The Beloved Community Services Corporation will continue to own and manage the School and serve as the management entity for the Historic Site, with the National Park Service providing technical and financial assistance. This act aims to preserve and interpret Justice Marshall's historic contributions as an affiliated area of the National Park System, without authorizing the Secretary of Interior to acquire the School or assume financial responsibility for its operation.

The "Keep Our PACT Act" aims to increase funding for Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) over the next decade. It mandates specific funding increases for these programs each year from 2026 to 2035, with the goal of fully funding IDEA at 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for students with disabilities by 2035. This bill designates these funding increases as emergency spending.

The Handgun Permit to Purchase Act aims to reduce gun violence by providing grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to develop, implement, and evaluate handgun purchaser licensing requirements. To be eligible for a grant, applicants must have a handgun purchaser licensing law that includes certain requirements such as the applicant being at least 21 years old, submitting to a background check, and reapplying for the license every 5 years or less. Grant funds must be used to improve the recipient's handgun purchaser licensing program. This act authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds to carry out this grant program.

The "Washington, D.C. Admission Act" outlines the process for admitting Washington, D.C., into the Union as the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while establishing a Capital to serve as the seat of the U.S. Government. It addresses the transition of laws, governance, and federal responsibilities, ensuring continuity of services and representation for the residents of the new state. The Act also defines the boundaries of the new State and the Capital, and includes provisions for elections, federal property, and the establishment of a Statehood Transition Commission.

The Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act of 2025 taxes fossil fuel companies based on their greenhouse gas emissions from the years 2000-2023, allocating \$1 trillion to a "Polluters Pay Climate Fund." This fund will support climate resilience, disaster response, and environmental justice initiatives, with a significant portion dedicated to FEMA and grants under the Clean Air Act, and requires that 40% of the fund must benefit environmental justice communities. The Act clarifies that it does not relieve polluters of existing liabilities or preempt state and local climate-related laws.