Legislative Activity

This Senate resolution expresses a profound lack of confidence in Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing numerous actions that allegedly undermine public health, scientific integrity, and the legal duties of his office. The resolution details accusations of illegal funding cuts, mass firings of career staff, and the dismantling of key advisory committees. Therefore, the Senate declares that the Secretary should be removed from his position.

The District of Columbia Police Home Rule Act eliminates the President's long-standing authority to assume emergency control over the Metropolitan Police Department. This legislation amends the D.C. Home Rule Act by striking the section granting the President this power. The bill effectively returns full, non-contingent control of the D.C. police force to local D.C. authorities.

This joint resolution terminates the President's declared crime emergency in the District of Columbia from August 2025. Congress asserts that the emergency is unwarranted given declining crime rates and argues against diverting local Metropolitan Police Department resources for federal tasks. The resolution effectively ends the special conditions established by the Executive Order.

This bill, the District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act, transfers primary command authority of the D.C. National Guard from the President of the United States to the Mayor of the District of Columbia. It updates outdated laws to officially name the Mayor as Commander-in-Chief, granting them authority over appointments, calling up the Guard, and disciplinary actions. The legislation also makes numerous technical amendments across federal military codes to ensure the Mayor is the recognized authority for the D.C. National Guard.

The Lowering Electric Bills Act extends crucial tax credits for residential clean energy installations until 2034. It also modifies the phase-out schedule for the Clean Electricity Production and Investment Credits, tying their continuation to achieving specific emissions reduction targets or the year 2032. These changes aim to provide long-term stability for clean energy investments.

The Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act of 2025 asserts that access to sexual and reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right, citing international agreements. This bill mandates that the U.S. Secretary of State comprehensively detail the status of reproductive rights, including access to contraception, abortion care, and freedom from coercion, in the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Furthermore, it requires detailed reporting on disparities in reproductive health outcomes based on identity, such as race, sexual orientation, or disability. The Act emphasizes the need to hold governments accountable for denying these essential health services globally.

The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 mandates the President to impose targeted sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on foreign individuals or groups whose actions threaten the peace and stability of the West Bank. These penalties specifically target those involved in violence against civilians, property destruction, or terrorism. The law requires regular reporting to Congress detailing those sanctioned and the steps being taken to mitigate violence in the region.

This resolution formally directs the Secretary of State to report on the human rights practices of the Republic of South Sudan within 30 days. The required report must detail credible information regarding abuses, particularly concerning non-citizens removed by the U.S. government. It also mandates an accounting of U.S. actions taken to promote human rights or discourage violations in South Sudan. Finally, the report must assess the risks associated with U.S. security assistance and detail pre-removal assessments conducted for removed individuals.

The Safeguarding the Integrity of the Human Rights Reports Act of 2025 reaffirms the U.S. commitment to promoting human rights globally. This bill mandates that the State Department's annual Human Rights Reports remain comprehensive and free from political interference. It updates reporting requirements to specifically detail abuses against vulnerable groups, including forced medical procedures, restrictions on movement, and the impact of government corruption on rights. The goal is to ensure these essential reports maintain credibility for accountability and advocacy worldwide.

This resolution directs the Secretary of State to provide Congress with a detailed report on the human rights practices of the Republic of Rwanda within 30 days. The report must specifically detail credible allegations of abuses, focusing on the treatment of non-citizens removed to Rwanda by the U.S. government. Furthermore, the Secretary must assess the risk that U.S. security assistance could support Rwandan officials involved in these abuses.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to provide Congress with a detailed report on the human rights practices of the Republic of Costa Rica within 30 days. The report must specifically address credible allegations of abuses, particularly concerning non-citizens transferred to Costa Rica by the U.S. government. It must also detail the actions the U.S. has taken to promote human rights and assess the risk of U.S. security assistance supporting any violations.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to provide a detailed report on the Republic of Panama's human rights practices, particularly concerning non-citizens transferred there by the U.S. government. The report must detail alleged abuses, due process protections, and U.S. actions taken to promote human rights observance in Panama. It also requires an assessment of the risk that U.S. security assistance could support officials involved in the detention or mistreatment of these individuals.

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act establishes new federal standards to safeguard warehouse employees from excessive performance quotas and unsafe working conditions. It creates a dedicated office within the Department of Labor to enforce transparency requirements regarding quotas and mandates new OSHA standards to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Furthermore, the bill strengthens labor protections by clarifying when performance targets unlawfully interfere with workers' rights to organize.

The Sustaining Our Democracy Act establishes a new federal program to provide annual funding to states specifically for improving election administration, security, and accessibility. This funding is sourced from a dedicated Trust Fund and administered by a new federal office. States must submit detailed plans outlining how they will use the money for upgrades like cybersecurity and expanded voting options, while being prohibited from using funds for voter intimidation or other prohibited activities.

The Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2025 establishes immediate federal safety standards requiring employers to provide protective gear, like respirators and cooling resources, to farmworkers during dangerous wildfire smoke and extreme heat events. This act mandates training in understandable languages and requires mandatory rest breaks when conditions become hazardous. Furthermore, it directs the Secretary of Labor to develop a permanent, comprehensive occupational safety standard that meets or exceeds existing state protections for farmworkers.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to provide Congress with a detailed report on the human rights practices of the United Mexican States within 30 days. The report must specifically detail abuses committed by the Mexican government against individuals, particularly non-citizens removed by the U.S. government. Furthermore, the Secretary must outline the steps the U.S. is taking to encourage human rights compliance and assess the risk of U.S. security aid supporting abuses.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to submit a detailed report on the human rights practices of the Kingdom of Eswatini to Congress within 30 days. The report must specifically detail alleged human rights violations, particularly concerning non-U.S. citizens removed to Eswatini by the U.S. government. Furthermore, the Secretary must outline U.S. actions taken to promote human rights and assess the risks associated with U.S. security assistance in the country.

The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act primarily repeals previous health subtitle changes and permanently extends enhanced premium tax credits for marketplace health insurance. This extension removes the income cap for receiving enhanced credits and updates the calculation method for determining an individual's required premium contribution. The bill aims to simplify the tax code related to health insurance affordability.

The Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2025 expands reproductive and fertility preservation assistance for active-duty service members and provides comprehensive fertility treatment and adoption support for eligible veterans through the VA. This bill mandates coverage for fertility services, including IVF, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation, for both current service members and veterans. It also requires proactive measures, such as pre-deployment material preservation for service members and seamless care coordination between the DoD and VA.

The Time Off to Vote Act mandates that employers provide employees with at least two consecutive hours of paid leave to vote in federal elections. Employers retain control over the timing of this leave, which cannot result in the loss of existing benefits. This federal requirement supplements, but does not override, any state or local laws that offer greater employee protections.