Legislative Activity

The Vote at Home Act of 2025 aims to expand access to federal elections by mandating that states mail ballots to all registered voters two weeks before election day and provide free return postage. It also modernizes voter registration by requiring motor vehicle departments to streamline registration forms and automatically register eligible citizens who provide proof of citizenship when obtaining or renewing a driver's license. These provisions are intended to increase voter turnout, reduce in-person lines, and lower administrative costs.

The Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 (COAST Anti-Drilling Act) permanently prohibits new oil and gas leasing activities on the Outer Continental Shelf in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas. This legislation ensures these specific ocean regions are protected from future exploration and development.

The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 establishes an Advisory Council, led by HHS, to assess the needs of gun violence victims and service providers. This Council will survey stakeholders, review existing support programs, and identify best practices for medical, financial, and mental health assistance. Its primary function is to compile and widely distribute a comprehensive list of available federal, state, and nonprofit resources to ensure victims can easily access necessary aid.

This resolution expresses strong support for library staff and the essential, expanded community services libraries provide, from social support to digital access. It calls for funding commensurate with these vital roles and defends the right of all citizens to freely access information. Furthermore, the bill supports the civil rights and union voice of library workers against threats and censorship.

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for military parades in Washington D.C. intended to celebrate the personal birthday or achievement of any single individual. Congress argues that such events risk significant taxpayer expense and infrastructure damage for personal glorification. Instead, the bill suggests the President celebrate with low-key activities like cake or golf.

The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act mandates the TSA to develop and regularly update strict hygienic guidelines for screening breast milk, formula, and baby drinks at airport security checkpoints. These rules must be created in consultation with maternal health experts to minimize contamination risks during any necessary testing. Furthermore, the Inspector General will audit compliance with these new safety standards within one year of enactment.

The Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025 seeks to amend federal gun laws by banning devices and modifications that significantly increase the rate of fire of semiautomatic firearms, effectively treating them like machineguns. The bill specifically prohibits the manufacture, sale, or possession of such accessories and modified firearms after 120 days of enactment. Existing owners of previously modified firearms must register them under the National Firearms Act within that same timeframe to legally keep them.

This resolution urges the United States to immediately prioritize global nuclear disarmament and lead the world back from the brink of nuclear war. It calls on the President to negotiate verifiable arms reduction treaties with all nuclear states to halt the arms race and prevent catastrophic conflict. Key actions include renouncing "first use," ending hair-trigger alert postures, and ceasing the development of new nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the bill demands comprehensive support, cleanup, and economic transition planning for communities and workers affected by past and present nuclear activities.

The American Family Act fundamentally overhauls the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with a system of advance, refundable monthly payments delivered directly to families. These monthly allowances vary based on the child's age, with higher amounts provided for younger children. The bill also establishes a separate, smaller credit for other dependents and outlines procedures for annual renewal and reconciliation of advance payments when filing taxes.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 establishes a phased increase of the federal minimum wage, culminating in a \$17.00 per hour rate five years after enactment, followed by automatic annual adjustments tied to median wage growth. This bill also phases out the lower minimum wage for tipped employees and workers under 20, ensuring they eventually earn the standard federal minimum wage. Furthermore, it sets a schedule to eliminate subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities and prohibits the issuance of new special certificates allowing for lower pay.

The Ending PUSHOUT Act of 2025 aims to reform school discipline by strengthening data collection to expose discriminatory practices, particularly against students of color and girls of color. It establishes grants to help districts reduce exclusionary discipline, such as suspensions and expulsions, while prohibiting harsh measures like corporal punishment and seclusion in recipient schools. Furthermore, the Act creates a Joint Task Force to specifically study and recommend solutions for ending the school pushout of girls of color.

The PEER Support Act aims to formally recognize and strengthen the profession of peer support specialists who use their lived experience to help others in recovery. The bill establishes a new Office of Recovery within SAMHSA, led by an individual with lived recovery experience. Furthermore, it mandates the official classification of peer support specialist roles in the federal job system and directs a review of state criminal background check processes for these specialists.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees across the nation. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to review state laws to ensure they substantially provide these minimum rights, including the right to organize and bargain collectively. If a state fails to meet these standards, the FLRA will administer federal labor relations rules for the uncovered employees. The Act also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would measurably disrupt emergency or public safety services.

The DOGE Accountability and Transparency Act establishes strict reporting requirements for the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Service. This bill mandates that DOGE submit weekly detailed reports to Congress outlining all actions, staffing changes, and data access related to federal agencies. These measures are intended to ensure congressional oversight of DOGE's efficiency efforts, which Congress views as potentially harmful to public service delivery.

The Eliminating Looting of Our Nation by Mitigating Unethical State Kleptocracy Act of 2025 (the ELON MUSK Act) strictly prohibits special government employees from holding or benefiting from any contract or agreement with the Federal Government. This legislation immediately terminates any existing such contracts upon enactment. The goal is to prevent individuals serving the government temporarily from simultaneously doing business with it.

The Bolstering Security Against Ghost Guns Act directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter threats posed by unserialized, privately made firearms, commonly known as "ghost guns." This legislation mandates specific actions across DHS components, including threat assessments on cross-border smuggling and research on preventing targeted violence involving these weapons. Furthermore, the bill requires regular reporting from the TSA on airport firearm violations and mandates intelligence sharing regarding terrorist threats linked to ghost guns.

The Expanding Access to School Meals Act of 2025 aims to simplify school meal programs by eliminating the "reduced-price" meal category for both breakfast and lunch. It significantly expands eligibility for free school meals by raising the federal poverty level threshold to 224% and allowing automatic certification for children receiving Medicaid benefits. Additionally, the bill enhances financial support for schools by allowing retroactive reimbursement claims and increasing the multiplier for the Community Eligibility Program.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that paraprofessionals and education support staff deserve fair compensation, comprehensive benefits, and improved working conditions. It highlights the critical role these essential workers play in supporting millions of students nationwide. Ultimately, the bill calls for livable wages, job security, safe workplaces, and meaningful input into school policies for these staff members.

The Defending American Diplomacy Act prohibits the Secretary of State from implementing any reorganization of the State Department without specific statutory authorization from Congress and the submission of a detailed plan. This plan must thoroughly analyze the impact on foreign policy goals, operations, and personnel. If the Secretary proceeds without authorization, specific funding restrictions against the Department of Government Efficiency and official travel for high-level appointees will take effect.

The Building Child Care for a Better Future Act dramatically increases federal funding for state child care entitlements and establishes a new \$5 billion annual grant program to address critical shortages in the child care workforce, supply, and quality in identified high-need areas. These funds are intended to supplement existing spending and support providers through facility improvements, workforce training, and ensuring living wages for staff. The legislation also sets specific requirements for planning, reporting, and evaluation to track the impact of these investments.