Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]

Recognizing the 10th Anniversary of Educators Rising.

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2025

Recognizing the significance of equal pay and the disparity between wages paid to men and women.

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2025

Paycheck Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2025

Establishing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2025

This joint resolution provides that the Equal Rights Amendment, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, was ratified by three-fourths of the states and is therefore a valid constitutional amendment, regardless of any time limit that was in the original proposal. The Equal Rights Amendment was originally proposed to the states in 1972. The original proposal included a deadline for ratification of March 22, 1979; Congress subsequently extended the deadline to June 30, 1982. Although the requisite 38 states have ratified the amendment, three of these states did so after the deadlines, and five states subsequently rescinded their ratifications. The status of the amendment has been the subject of litigation.

Protecting Families from Inflation Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2025

Protecting Families from Inflation Act This bill requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to study and report to Congress on the collective impact of U.S. tariffs since 2017 on the cost of goods and services for consumers and small businesses in the United States.

World War II Women's Memorial Location Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2025

World War II Women's Memorial Location Act This bill allows the commemorative work for women who worked on the home front during World War II to be located in either (1) the Reserve, an area that generally extends from the United States Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, and from the White House to the Jefferson Memorial; or (2) the area just outside the Reserve, known as Area I. (This map shows the Reserve in red and Area I in yellow.)

Puppy Protection Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2025

Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2025

Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act This bill allows a registered investment company to exclude from the calculation of acquired fund fees and expenses those incurred indirectly from investment in a business development company. Acquired fund fees and expenses is a required line item on a fund's fee schedule that provides the operating expenses of the fund.

Major Richard Star Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2025

HELPER Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2025

Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2025 or the HELPER Act of 2025 This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a first-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment. Instead, the mortgage is subject to a one-time, up-front mortgage insurance premium.

American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2025

American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2025 This bill addresses housing affordability and availability through grants, housing programs, and oversight of financial institutions. The bill also makes certain changes to the estate tax, such as by generally increasing the rate. The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall provide grants to (1) state, local, and tribal governments to remove barriers to building affordable units, (2) states to assist borrowers who have negative equity in their homes, (3) state housing finance agencies to support construction of affordable rental housing and prevent tenant displacement and harassment, and (4) eligible individuals (generally, lower income individuals who are first generation homebuyers) to help them purchase their first homes. The bill establishes and provides funding for the first-time homeowner grant program and the affordable rental housing construction program, and it also funds existing rural housing programs. The bill also requires financial regulators to generally assess the effectiveness of financial institutions in meeting the credit and lending needs of their communities, particularly of underserved populations.  The bill also expands fair housing protections to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, source of income, veteran status, or an individual's perceived membership in a protected class (e.g., an individual's perceived race or sex). Additionally, the bill modifies the estate tax in various ways, including by reducing the number of brackets to three, increasing the tax rates, and reducing the basic exemption amount. The bill also places additional taxes on high-income estates and trusts.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2025

Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i.e., breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body). Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Under current law, individuals generally must wait 5 months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.

REDI Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2025

Resident Education Deferred Interest Act or the REDI Act This bill allows borrowers in medical or dental internships or residency programs to defer student loan payments until the completion of their programs.

Rights for the TSA Workforce Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2025

To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2025

This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for hydropower projects that were issued a license before March 13, 2020. FERC is authorized, upon the request of the licensees, to extend the deadline for beginning construction on such projects an additional six years beyond the eight-year extension FERC is authorized to provide under current law. The extension must consist of no more than three consecutive two-year periods. The bill also provides that FERC may reinstate certain expired licenses for projects with construction deadlines extended under this bill, effective as of the date they expire.

Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2025

Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of dental, vision, and hearing care. Coverage includes (1) routine dental cleanings and exams, basic and major dental services, emergency dental care, and dentures; (2) routine eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses; and (3) routine hearing exams, hearing aids, and exams for hearing aids. With respect to such care, the bill establishes special payment rules, limitations, and coinsurance requirements.

Recognizing and honoring teachers who have earned or maintained National Board Certification.

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2025

This resolution honors the teachers who have earned or maintained National Board Certification as of March 2025.

Caring for Survivors Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2025

Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 This bill increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dependency and indemnity compensation is a monthly payment made to eligible survivors (i.e., spouses, parents, or children) of (1) certain veterans who died as a result of a service-connected condition; (2) service members killed while on active military duty or active or inactive duty for training; or (3) veterans who did not die from a service-connected condition, but were totally disabled by a service-connected disability for a certain period of time. The bill also (1) reduces, from 10 years to 5 years, the period of time that certain veterans must have been rated totally disabled due to a service-connected disability in order for a survivor to qualify for benefits; and (2) specifies the amount that is payable to survivors of veterans who were rated totally disabled for a period of less than 10 years before their death.

Protect Our Probationary Employees Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2025

25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2025

25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the establishment of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. The sale of all coins issued under this bill must include a surcharge to be paid to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center to support operations and maintenance. However, if the issuance of this commemorative coin exceeds certain annual limits, no surcharge may be included.

Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2025

Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act This bill makes federal civilian and military personnel who are excepted from furlough during a government shutdown eligible for unemployment compensation benefits.  During a government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations, federal employees who are excepted from furlough are required to report for work and perform duties, but their pay is delayed until appropriations legislation is enacted. Under guidance issued by the Department of Labor, excepted employees who are performing services (but whose payment for that work is delayed) are generally ineligible for unemployment compensation benefits based on states' definitions of unemployment.  This bill provides that, for the purpose of determining eligibility for unemployment compensation during a government shutdown, excepted employees are deemed to be (1) totally separated from federal service, and (2) eligible for unemployment compensation benefits with no waiting period for the eligibility to accrue.  The bill applies to the following federal personnel who are excepted from furlough and are not being paid due to a government shutdown: (1) any member of the Armed Forces or the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and (2) any federal civilian employee who is an excepted employee or an employee performing emergency work. 

Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025 This bill establishes Department of Health and Human Services grants for public or nonprofit private health care providers to expand and improve maternal health care services (including prenatal, postnatal, and postpartum care) and reduce disparities in access to such care. Health care providers are eligible to apply if they serve one or more minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities.

Do No Harm Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act This bill prohibits political appointees and special government employees from accessing Social Security data systems that contain personally identifiable information about Social Security beneficiaries. Specifically, political appointees and special government employees may not access systems maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that issue or record Social Security account numbers, that are used to determine eligibility for or to pay Social Security benefits, or that otherwise contain personally identifiable information about individuals receiving or applying for benefits.  The bill also establishes a civil right of action for an individual whose information was negligently accessed or disclosed in violation of these provisions. The individual may bring suit against the United States if the violator was a U.S. employee or officer, or against the violator if they were not a U.S. employee or officer. Such a claim must be brought within two years of the affected individual’s discovery of the violation. Upon a finding of liability, defendants are liable for specified monetary damages.  If an individual is criminally charged or subject to proposed disciplinary or adverse action by a federal or state agency for having accessed or disclosed information in violation of these provisions, SSA must notify the individual whose information was accessed or disclosed of the violation as soon as practicable.  Finally, the bill requires the SSA Office of the Inspector General to investigate and report to Congress on any unauthorized access to or disclosure of information in a beneficiary data system. 

TAP Promotion Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

TAP Promotion Act This bill requires that pre-separation counseling under the Transition Assistance Program include a presentation that promotes the benefits available to veterans from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill also requires the VA to annually report on the presentation to (1) identify veterans service organizations that participate, (2) provide the number of members of the Armed Forces who attend, and (3) provide any recommendations for changes to the presentation.

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights. A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if, during the previous 25 years: 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state; 10 or more violations occurred, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself; or 3 or more violations occurred and the state administers the elections. A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years. States and political subdivisions that meet certain thresholds regarding minority groups must preclear covered practices before implementation, such as redistricting. States and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices. The bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights. The bill outlines factors courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices, such as the extent of any history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision.

MERIT Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2025

ACRE Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2025

Original Black History Month Resolution of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2025

Original Black History Month Resolution of 2025 This resolution recognizes the importance of commemorating Black History Month as it acknowledges the achievements of Black Americans throughout the nation's history.

Fair Grocery Pricing Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2025

Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2025

Keep Americans Safe Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2025

Keep Americans Safe Act This bill establishes a new criminal offense for the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD). The bill does not prohibit certain conduct with respect to an LCAFD, including the following: importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and possession by a retired law enforcement officer. The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD. Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification and the date of manufacture. Additionally, the bill allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender an LCAFD under a buy-back program.

SAFE Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2025

Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2025 or the SAFE Act of 2025 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly (1) slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or (2) shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption. The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. As background, in recent years, the appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.

Guarding Readiness Resources Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2025

Guarding Readiness Resources Act This bill modifies the treatment of funds received by the National Guard Bureau as a reimbursement from a state or other U.S. territory (e.g., Guam) for the use of military property. Specifically, the funds must be credited to (1) the appropriation, fund, or account used in incurring the obligation; or (2) an appropriation, fund, or account currently available for the purposes of which the expenditures were made. Further, the funds may only be used by the Department of Defense for the repair, maintenance, replacement, or other similar functions related directly to assets used by National Guard units while operating under state active duty status.

761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2025

Protect Veteran Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2025

Protect Veteran Jobs Act This bill provides reinstatement eligibility to veterans who were involuntarily removed or otherwise dismissed without cause from civil service positions from January 20, 2025, through the date of enactment of this bill. Such veterans must be eligible for reinstatement to their former positions or any other civil service positions for which they are qualified. Each executive branch agency must regularly report through January 20, 2029, to Congress regarding veteran employees who were removed or otherwise dismissed from the agency, including the total number of employees removed and the reasons for the dismissals. 

RAISE Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2025

Respect, Advancement, and Increasing Support for Educators Act of 2025 or the RAISE Act of 2025 This bill establishes a refundable federal tax credit for eligible educators and increases and expands the federal tax deduction for certain classroom and professional development expenses. The bill also increases federal funding for programs that support effective instruction. Specifically, the bill allows (1) eligible educators (elementary and secondary public school teachers and early childhood educators) to claim a tax credit of $1,000, and (2) eligible educators employed at a qualifying school to claim an additional tax credit of up to $14,000 ($9,000 for an early childhood educator without a bachelor’s degree) based on the qualifying school’s student poverty ratio. The bill generally defines a qualifying school as a public elementary or secondary school served by a local education agency eligible for federal grants that support the education of disadvantaged children, an elementary school or secondary school funded by the Bureau of Indian Education, or an early childhood education program serving children who are eligible for certain financial or food assistance. Further, the bill increases to $500 ($300 in 2025) and continues to adjust annually the above-the-line tax deduction for certain classroom and professional development expenses of educators. The bill also expands eligibility for the credit to include early childhood educators. (Above-the-line tax deductions are subtracted from gross income to calculate adjusted gross income.) Finally, the bill provides additional funding for education programs, including teacher salary incentive grants and professional development, certificate, and credentialing programs.

CROWN Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2025

Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2025 or the CROWN Act of 2025 This bill prohibits discrimination based on a person's hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment. Persons shall not be deprived of equal rights under the law and shall not be subjected to prohibited practices based on their hair texture or style. The bill provides for enforcement procedures under the applicable laws (e.g., the Civil Rights Act of 1964).

American Dream and Promise Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2025

American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 This bill provides certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) with a path to receive permanent resident status and contains other immigration-related provisions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall provide conditional permanent resident status for 10 years to a qualifying individual who entered the United States as a minor and (1) is deportable or inadmissible, (2) has deferred enforced departure (DED) status or temporary protected status (TPS), or (3) is the child of certain classes of nonimmigrants. The bill imposes various qualifying requirements, such as the individual being continuously physically present in the United States since January 1, 2021, passing a background check, and being enrolled in or having completed certain educational programs. DHS shall remove the conditions placed on permanent resident status granted under this bill if the individual applies and meets certain requirements, such as completing certain programs at an educational institution, serving in the military, or being employed. Furthermore, DHS or DOJ shall provide lawful permanent resident status to certain individuals who had TPS, were eligible for TPS, or were eligible for DED status on certain dates. Such individuals must meet certain requirements and apply for such status within three years of this bill's enactment. This bill also repeals a restriction that bars a state from providing higher education benefits to undocumented individuals unless those benefits are available to all U.S. nationals without regard to residency in the state.

Military and Educational Data Integration Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2025

CATCH Fentanyl Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2025

Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful Fentanyl Act or the CATCH Fentanyl Act  This bill establishes a pilot program for improving the inspection of conveyances or modes of transportation at land ports of entry along U.S. borders to detect contraband, illegal drugs, illegal weapons, human smuggling, and threats. Specifically, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Innovation Team must test technology in at least one of the categories of artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-performance computing, quantum information sciences, or other emerging technologies. The team must also test and collect data regarding at least five types of enhancements to nonintrusive inspection technology (e.g., X-ray machines) able to be deployed at land ports of entry.

Stop Fentanyl Money Laundering Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2025

Stop Fentanyl Money Laundering Act of 2025 This bill expands efforts to prevent money laundering related to international fentanyl and narcotics distribution. The bill allows the Department of the Treasury to impose restrictions on an entity or activity determined to be of primary money-laundering concern in connection with illicit fentanyl and narcotics trafficking. Specifically, if Treasury determines that a foreign financial institution, class of transaction, or type of account is of such concern, Treasury may require domestic financial institutions and agencies to take special measures, such as reporting certain financial transactions involving that entity or activity. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) must issue advisories to financial institutions about how to identify Chinese money laundering that facilitates the trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. FinCEN must also issue guidance to financial institutions for filing suspicious transaction reports related to suspected narcotics trafficking by transnational criminal organizations.

Ethan's Law

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2025

Ethan's Law This bill establishes a framework to regulate the storage of firearms on residential premises at the federal, state, and tribal levels. At the federal level, the bill establishes statutory requirements for firearms on residential premises to be safely stored if a minor is likely to gain access without permission or if a resident is ineligible to possess a firearm. An individual who violates the requirements is subject to criminal penalties. A firearm stored in violation of the requirements is subject to seizure and forfeiture. At the state and tribal levels, the bill requires the Department of Justice to award grants to implement functionally identical requirements for the safe storage of firearms.

Accountability in Government Efficiency Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2025

Accountability in Government Efficiency Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the actions undertaken by the Department of Government Efficiency established by Executive Order 14158. The report shall include (1) an analysis of such actions on the long-term financial, public health, and safety interests of the United States; and (2) the extent to which such actions comply with certain laws related to government records maintained on individuals and to ethics in government.

Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2025

DOC Access Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2025

Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2025 or the DOC Access Act of 20 25 This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from setting rates for items and services, except for dental cleanings, provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine (or an employer of such a doctor) for which the plan does not pay a substantial amount. Additionally, an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited scope dental or vision benefits may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension. Plans also may not restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers. Such doctors may elect to waive the application of the payment amount and choice of laboratories provisions of this bill. The bill does not supersede state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.

Expressing support for the designation of the week of February 24 through February 28, 2025, as "Public Schools Week".

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2025

This resolution supports the designation of Public Schools Week.

LEASH DOGE Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2025

American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2025