Legislative Activity

The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025 mandates that employers protect workers from dangerous heat stress by establishing comprehensive safety standards. This Act requires the Secretary of Labor to create evidence-based rules covering engineering controls, administrative procedures, required training, and paid rest breaks to prevent heat-related illness. Furthermore, the law establishes strict enforcement mechanisms, whistleblower protections, and specific timelines for the implementation of these new federal heat protection standards.

This resolution declares a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting children due to prior administration directives that promoted fossil fuels and suppressed climate science. Congress asserts that these actions harm children's fundamental rights to life and a stable environment by worsening climate change impacts. The bill demands the current administration cease policies that increase greenhouse gases and restore access to suppressed climate research. Ultimately, it calls for aligning all energy and climate laws with the duty to protect the rights and future of young people.

The Housing Is a Human Right Act of 2025 aims to combat homelessness and housing instability through comprehensive federal action. It establishes new funding streams and infrastructure investments to build affordable housing and provide direct support services while shifting local responses away from criminalizing poverty. Furthermore, the Act introduces new taxes on high-value real estate transactions to fund these initiatives and mandates stronger civil rights protections across federal housing and assistance programs.

The Cosmetic Safety for Communities of Color and Professional Salon Workers Act of 2025 aims to enhance cosmetic safety through targeted research into health disparities affecting communities of color and salon workers. The bill mandates improved access to safety data sheets in multiple languages for professional products and establishes two new National Resource Centers to empower these communities and workers. Finally, it brings synthetic hair braids under FDA cosmetic regulation, requiring new safety standards and labeling.

The Toxic-Free Beauty Act of 2025 establishes new federal standards for cosmetic safety by banning the intentional addition of specific harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde and certain parabens, in products sold in the U.S. It also sets maximum allowable limits for certain contaminants like 1,4 dioxane and lead. Importantly, this federal legislation does not preempt stricter state laws regarding cosmetic ingredients. These new requirements will take effect for products shipped interstate starting January 1, 2027.

The Stop ICE from Kidnapping U.S. Citizens Act strictly prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using any federal funds for civil immigration enforcement activities involving U.S. citizens. Specifically, this bill bans ICE from spending money to detain or transport any citizen of the United States. This measure ensures federal funds are not used to wrongfully target or remove American citizens.

This bill amends federal law to establish strict limits and reporting requirements for donations made to Presidential Libraries and Centers. It prohibits certain restricted entities, such as lobbyists and federal contractors, from donating while a President is in office or for two years after they leave. The legislation also imposes an aggregate $10,000 lifetime donation cap per person and mandates public disclosure of all significant contributions.

The State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2025 empowers individual states to design and implement their own comprehensive universal health coverage systems. States can apply for a federal waiver to bypass most existing federal health insurance rules, including major parts of the ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid. In exchange for waiving federal funding, the federal government will transfer equivalent funds to the state, provided the state commits to covering at least 95% of its residents within five years and maintains budget neutrality for the federal government.

The Uterine Fibroid Intervention and Gynecological Health Treatment Act of 2025 aims to improve the detection and treatment of uterine fibroids. It mandates federal research to develop evidence-based early detection strategies and establishes grant programs for states to fund screening, education, and intervention services, prioritizing vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the bill allocates funding for research into pain management related to fibroid surgery and other uterine conditions.

The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025 aims to significantly increase federal research, public education, and provider awareness regarding uterine fibroids. The bill mandates expanded research coordination across federal agencies and authorizes funding to study the condition, which disproportionately affects minority women. It also requires the creation of public awareness campaigns detailing non-hysterectomy treatment options and mandates data collection on Medicaid/CHIP spending for fibroid treatments.

The Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive federal study to investigate the potential link between the use of chemical hair straighteners and the risk of developing uterine cancer. This research must specifically examine disparities in cancer rates among women of color. The study will ultimately recommend whether the FDA should require additional safety testing for these hair products.

This resolution officially honors the memory of the victims of the 1967 Newark riots and acknowledges the enduring impact of the civil unrest on the community. It recognizes the historical context, causes, and consequences of the events, including systemic inequality and police misconduct. Furthermore, the resolution commits to supporting ongoing efforts to address racial and economic disparities to prevent future unrest.

This resolution supports the designation of July as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month to highlight the significant health impact of these common growths on women. It recognizes the disproportionate burden of fibroids on Black and Hispanic women and calls for increased research and improved treatment options. The bill encourages the President to issue a proclamation supporting national awareness activities throughout July.

This resolution affirms that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental American values necessary to combat persistent discrimination across society. It details how systemic barriers in housing, wealth, healthcare, education, and employment negatively impact marginalized groups. Ultimately, the bill encourages all sectors to actively pursue DEIA initiatives as a means to strengthen the economy and ensure equal opportunity for all citizens.

The Congressional Oversight Access Act prohibits federal employees from using physical force or detaining a Member of Congress who is conducting official oversight activities on federally controlled property. This protection applies when the Member identifies themselves and is not posing a clear and immediate physical danger. The Act ensures Congress can monitor federal operations while still respecting necessary security screenings.

This resolution formally recognizes the significant and persistent wage disparity faced by Black women in the United States. It highlights that despite existing equal pay laws, Black women earn substantially less than their male counterparts, leading to massive lifetime earnings losses. Congress uses this measure to emphasize the urgent need to address both racial and gender discrimination to achieve true pay equity.

The Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to increase the number of mental health professionals in high-need school districts. This funding is specifically designed to help eligible agencies recruit, hire, and retain school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. Grantees must demonstrate a plan to improve student-to-provider ratios and report annually on staffing improvements and provider retention.

The Appropriations Compliance and Training Act mandates annual training on federal appropriations law for certain high-level government employees in covered positions. This ensures employees handling federal funds understand key spending rules, such as the bona fide needs rule and relevant statutes. Agencies must track completion, and non-compliant employees face escalating penalties, including loss of spending authority and IT access.

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 aims to combat the growing obesity epidemic, particularly among older adults, by expanding access to intensive behavioral therapy under Medicare. This bill mandates that Medicare Part D plans begin covering FDA-approved medications for obesity and weight management in individuals with related health conditions. Finally, it requires the Secretary of HHS to report regularly to Congress on the implementation and coordination of these new obesity treatment strategies.

The Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act establishes a new grant program to enhance mental and behavioral health support for K-12 students through telehealth services. These grants prioritize funding for schools in high-poverty, rural, or underserved areas to acquire necessary equipment and staff for remote care delivery. The program aims to expand access to mental health services while ensuring strict compliance with student privacy laws.