Legislative Activity

The Children's Health Insurance Program Permanency Act (CHIPP Act) permanently extends funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other related programs. It also makes permanent several programs and demonstration projects under the Social Security Act, such as the Pediatric Quality Measures Program and the Express Lane Eligibility Option. Additionally, the act provides states with the option to increase children's eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP by allowing them to cover children whose family income exceeds the state's current maximum income level.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.

The "Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act" prevents the Social Security Administration (SSA) from closing or consolidating field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations, ensuring continued access to services. It requires the SSA Commissioner to justify any planned closures to Congress with detailed analysis and cost-benefit assessments, considering the impact on vulnerable populations. The bill mandates public notice, hearings, and a final report to Congress before any changes, allowing appeals and maintaining the number of offices at or above the January 20, 2025 level, excluding temporary emergency closures.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

The Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act restricts political appointees and special government employees from accessing sensitive Social Security beneficiary data systems. It establishes a right for individuals to sue the government or responsible parties for unauthorized access or disclosure of their private Social Security information, including specified minimum damages. Furthermore, the bill mandates the Inspector General to investigate such violations and report findings to Congress within 30 days. Finally, it requires the GAO to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of these new privacy and enforcement measures.

This bill, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025, seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. It aims to modernize labor regulations by clarifying definitions, addressing unfair labor practices, enhancing enforcement, and increasing transparency in labor-management relations. The bill introduces measures such as electronic voting in union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections, and mandates studies on collective bargaining practices. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure fair treatment of workers and promote equitable labor practices.

The MERIT Act requires federal agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date, providing them with back pay and benefits. The Act also mandates reports on government employee terminations and the reinstatement process. It defines key terms such as "affected probationary employee" and "mass termination" to clarify the scope and applicability of the Act. This act ensures that affected employees are treated as involuntarily separated without cause and outlines the process for determining back pay and providing notice to eligible employees.

The "Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act" seeks to promote diplomatic engagement to formally end the Korean War by replacing the Armistice Agreement with a peace agreement. It requires the Secretary of State to review travel restrictions to North Korea for humanitarian reasons and to develop a plan for achieving a permanent peace agreement, including the potential establishment of liaison offices between the U.S. and North Korea. The act emphasizes that it does not affect the status of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea or elsewhere.

This resolution designates February as Black History Month, celebrating the heritage and achievements of Black Americans. It recognizes the foundational role of Black labor in the United States, from slavery to modern times, and acknowledges the economic disparities that persist. The resolution also honors key figures and movements that have advanced Black Americans' rights and economic opportunities. It encourages the continued observance of Black History Month to promote awareness of Black Americans' contributions.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to reduce bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states to establish policies prohibiting such conduct based on various characteristics, including race, sex, religion, and disability. It mandates annual notifications, data collection on incidents, biennial evaluations of programs, and regular reports to Congress to ensure accountability and effectiveness. This act does not infringe on existing nondiscrimination laws or freedom of speech but seeks to create a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students.

The "Fair Grocery Pricing Act" aims to prevent anti-competitive practices in the food industry by prohibiting food producers from colluding on pricing and supply through third-party coordinators. It empowers the FTC, Attorney General, and State Attorneys General to enforce the Act, allowing for civil penalties and legal action against violators. The Act also enables individuals harmed by violations to seek damages and invalidate certain pre-dispute agreements. This law supplements existing antitrust laws and does not override stricter state or local regulations.

The SAFE Act of 2025 amends existing legislation to explicitly prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption, reinforcing protections for these animals. This bill seeks to prevent the inhumane treatment of American equines by closing loopholes that allow their slaughter and export for human consumption.

The Social Security Expansion Act aims to increase Social Security benefits, change cost-of-living adjustments to better reflect elderly consumers, and extend eligibility to student children. It also adjusts payroll and self-employment taxes for earnings above $250,000, increases taxes on investment gains, and establishes a new Social Security Trust Fund. These changes are intended to provide greater financial security for beneficiaries and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security system.

The PAST Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the Horse Protection Act to combat the painful practice of soring in specific horse breeds. This bill increases penalties for violations, establishes stricter licensing and oversight for inspectors, and explicitly bans the use of "action devices" designed to cause unnatural gaits. The legislation aims to enhance enforcement, ensure fairer competition, and hold violators accountable through increased fines and disqualifications.

The "Keep Americans Safe Act" aims to regulate large capacity ammunition feeding devices by making it illegal to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess magazines holding more than 15 rounds, with exceptions for law enforcement, government entities, and devices lawfully possessed before the law's enactment. It also permits the use of Byrne grants for buy-back programs of these devices and mandates that newly manufactured devices be marked with identifying information. Violators of this Act will face penalties under existing provisions of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.

The American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 provides a pathway to permanent residency for eligible individuals who entered the United States as children and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Title I, the Dream Act of 2025, establishes conditional permanent residency for eligible individuals who entered the U.S. as children. Title II, the American Promise Act of 2025, allows the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to grant permanent resident status to eligible individuals from TPS or DED countries. Title III outlines general provisions, such as background checks, application processes, and fee exemptions, applicable to all seeking to adjust their status under this Act.

The Compassion for Vulnerable and Struggling Workers Act allows civil service employees involuntarily terminated between January 20, 2025, and January 1, 2026, to enroll in a health benefits plan if they meet certain conditions. These conditions include being removed without cause, having a fully successful performance review, being pregnant at the time of removal, or being diagnosed with cancer in the 5 years before removal. Federal funds saved by the United States DOGE Service will cover the government and individual contributions for these health benefits.

The CROWN Act of 2025 prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyle if that style is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. This protection extends to federally funded programs, housing, public accommodations, and employment. The act aims to ensure equal opportunity and prevent discrimination based on hair, addressing historical biases and stereotypes. It clarifies that existing civil rights laws should be interpreted to include protection against hair-based discrimination.

Ethan's Law establishes federal requirements for the secure storage of firearms to prevent unauthorized access by minors and prohibited persons, making improper storage a civil violation with escalating penalties if injury or death results. The bill also creates a federal grant program to incentivize states and Tribes to adopt matching safe storage laws. Furthermore, Congress declares that failing to comply with these storage requirements constitutes negligence and may be considered the direct cause of resulting firearm injuries.

The Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2025 aims to protect vulnerable communities by creating an Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice, defining key environmental justice terms, and establishing a grant program to aid state, local, and tribal governments in enforcing environmental laws. The Office of Environmental Justice will be responsible for developing environmental justice strategies, coordinating related matters, and promoting public participation. A Senior Advisory Council will also be created to advise on environmental justice matters and recommend policies. The grant program will provide funding for training, staffing, and community engagement to help address disproportionate environmental and health impacts on low-income, Tribal, and Indigenous communities.