United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Food Deserts Act This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Agriculture to reduce food deserts. Under the program, grants are provided to states for revolving funds that support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities. Underserved communities are communities that have (1) limited access to affordable, healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in grocery retail stores or farmer-to-consumer direct markets; and (2) a high rate of hunger, a high rate of food insecurity, or a high poverty rate. The bill requires states to use such funds for loans that support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), or supporting an existing store. In order to qualify for loans, grocery stores must meet criteria enumerated in the bill. For example, grocery stores must (1) emphasize unprocessed, healthful foods; (2) provide staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables; and (3) charge affordable prices at or below market values. Further, states must prioritize loan applications from entities that meet criteria related to hiring workers from the underserved community, providing classes or educational information about a healthful diet, sourcing food from local urban farms and gardens, and demonstrating existing supply chain relationships in the grocery industry.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
This resolution recognizes the necessity and work of those who create LGBTQIA+ community spaces with the goals of equality and commends those who foster community partnerships between marginalized groups and local resources.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Young Americans Financial Literacy Act This bill requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to award competitive grants to eligible institutions for the establishment of financial literacy education programs for young people and families. An eligible institution is a partnership among two or more of the following: an institution of higher education; a state or local government agency specializing in financial education; a nonprofit agency, organization, or association; a financial institution; or another small organization. Authorized grant funded activities shall include developing and implementing comprehensive, research based, financial-literacy education programs for young people; developing and supporting the delivery of professional development programs in financial literacy education; developing educational programs to reduce student loan default rates; and conducting ongoing research and evaluation of financial literacy education programs. The grant program shall terminate after FY2029.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Prevent Tariff Abuse Act This bill prohibits the President from exercising authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose duties, tariff-rate quotas, or other quotas on imports entering the United States. (IEEPA provides the President with broad authority to regulate various economic transactions following a declaration of a national emergency.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins in recognition and celebration of the women who contributed to the U.S. home front during World War II. All sales of coins issued under this bill must include a surcharge to be paid to the Rosie the Riveter Trust to support the National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Department of Education Protection Act This bill prohibits the use of appropriated funds made available to the Department of Education (ED) to decentralize, reduce the staffing level of, or alter the responsibilities or functionality of ED compared to its organization or operation on January 1, 2025.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
Transparent Representation Upholding Service and Trust in Congress Act or the TRUST in Congress Act This bill requires a Member of Congress, as well as any spouse or dependent child of a Member, to place specified investments into a qualified blind trust (i.e., an arrangement in which certain financial holdings are placed in someone else's control to avoid a possible conflict of interest) until 180 days after the end of their tenure as a Member of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
LNG Public Interest Determination Act of 2025 This bill modifies and expands requirements for exporting natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG). Under the existing provisions of the Natural Gas Act, exporters of natural gas must obtain authorization to make such exports from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Additionally, FERC must authorize such exports if they are consistent with the public interest. The bill directs exporters of natural gas to obtain authorization from the Department of Energy (DOE) rather than from FERC. Before granting an authorization, DOE must determine that the export would not likely (1) contribute significantly to climate change; (2) materially increase energy prices or energy price volatility for U.S. consumers; or (3) create a disproportionate health or environmental burden on rural, low-income, minority, and other vulnerable communities. The bill also classifies an authorization of the exportation of natural gas as a major federal action that triggers the environmental review process required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Additionally, the bill terminates the categorical exclusion for exports of natural gas, and any associated transportation of LNG by marine vessels, from NEPA environmental review requirements. A categorical exclusion is a class of actions that a federal agency has determined do not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and, thus, do not require either an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 or the GLRI Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which carries out programs and projects to protect and restore the Great Lakes.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution This resolution authorizes proxy voting in the House of Representatives for a Member who has given birth or whose spouse has given birth and pregnant Members who are unable to travel safely or have a serious medical condition. Under the resolution, a qualifying Member may designate a proxy to cast a vote in a committee, the Committee of the Whole, or on the House floor; however, proxies will not be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum. The proxy designation is valid for up to 12 weeks. To designate a proxy for House and Committee of the Whole votes, the Member must submit a signed and dated letter to the Clerk stating the Member’s qualifying circumstances and the name and state of the Member who has agreed to be designated as proxy. A Member who has designated a proxy according to these requirements may also designate a proxy for committee votes. To designate a proxy for committee votes, the Member must provide the committee chair and ranking minority member with a signed and dated letter specifying another member of the committee to cast a proxy vote. The resolution further provides that a Member may revoke the proxy authorization by (1) casting the Member’s own vote; (2) recording the Member’s own presence in the House or in the Committee of the Whole; or (3) in a committee, by submitting a signed letter to the chair and ranking minority member.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
This resolution honors the life, achievements, legacy, and distinguished public service of former President Jimmy Carter. The resolution also (1) acknowledges President Carter's contributions to the state of Georgia, the United States, and the world; and (2) establishes his legacy as one of the great leaders and statesmen of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025
Veterans Infertility Treatment Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish infertility treatments, standard fertility preservation services, or both to a covered veteran or partner of a covered veteran. A covered veteran is a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system and has infertility or is at risk of having infertility, as determined by a licensed physician. The VA may furnish up to three completed in vitro fertilization cycles that result in live birth, or 10 attempted cycles, whichever occurs first. Additionally, the VA may furnish in vitro fertilization treatment using donated gametes or embryos. The VA must receive consent to furnish an in vitro fertilization cycle from the covered veteran, the partner of a covered veteran, and the third-party donor (if applicable). For purposes of paying travel expenses for treatment or services to the partner of a covered veteran, the VA must deem the partner to be a veteran receiving treatment or care. The VA must prescribe regulations related to the provision of infertility treatments and standard fertility preservation services as required by this bill. Prior to the enactment of such regulations, the VA must ensure that (1) counseling and treatment furnished under existing authority is available to a veteran and the veteran's partner, regardless of whether they are married; and (2) treatment under existing authority may be furnished using donated gametes or embryos.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025
Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report on the medical services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans experiencing perimenopause, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and menopause stages. The VA must also report to Congress on a strategic plan to (1) implement any recommendations GAO makes in its report, (2) improve the quality of menopause care, and (3) improve the access of veterans to menopause care.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2025
Dental Care for Veterans Act This bill expands eligibility for veterans for dental care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill makes all veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system eligible for VA-provided dental services. Currently, only veterans who have a service-connected dental issue or meet other narrow criteria are eligible for certain dental services. The bill phases in eligibility over four years based upon existing eligibility, degree of service-connected disability or other disability, prisoner of war status, award of a Purple Heart, financial need, or VA health care eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2025
Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring payment from a veteran for any contraceptive item that is required to be covered by health insurance plans without a cost-sharing requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act This bill establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The commission must (1) compile documentary evidence of slavery in the United States; (2) study the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery; (3) analyze discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants; and (4) recommend ways the United States may recognize and remedy the effects of slavery and discrimination on African Americans, including through a formal apology and compensation (i.e., reparations). The commission consists of individuals from civil society and reparations organizations and individuals appointed by the President and congressional leadership; Members of Congress and governmental employees may not serve on the commission. The commission may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and records, and contract with other entities to conduct its work. The commission must submit its final report within 18 months of its first meeting.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States. The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits. The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives. The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services. The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2024
This resolution recognizes the 40-year effort of the survivors of the 1984 Bhopal chemical disaster to ensure no other communities suffer a similar disaster by supporting the designation of National Chemical Disaster Awareness Day. Further, the resolution calls on the Department of Justice to take (1) steps in response to requests by the Indian government concerning Dow Inc.; and (2) any other actions necessary to comply with obligations under the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at New Delhi on October 17, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2024
This resolution expresses support for the goals and principles of Transgender Day of Remembrance by recognizing the epidemic of violence toward transgender people and memorializing the lives lost this year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2024
Original National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resolution of 2024 This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Further, it expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should continue to raise awareness of and support programs to end domestic violence.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2024
This resolution requires the House of Representatives to address the revenue impact and application of tax law that excludes certain income sourced to Puerto Rico from taxation by the United States and Puerto Rico, particularly the application of the Act to Promote the Relocation of Individual Investors to Puerto Rico (also known as Act 22), which provides tax benefits to residents of Puerto Rico. Under current law, income, dividends, interest, and some capital gains sourced to Puerto Rico may be excluded or exempt from tax by both the United States and Puerto Rico. The Internal Revenue Service initiated an audit and compliance campaign targeting individuals who attempt to avoid tax by improperly claiming to be a resident of Puerto Rico or erroneously sourcing income to Puerto Rico (rather than the United States) to claim tax exemptions and exclusions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2024
This resolution recognizes, celebrates, and honors the success of Hispanic lawyers and judges. The resolution also supports the goals of increasing the representation of Hispanics in the legal profession and the state and federal courts.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2024
This concurrent resolution honors the life, achievements, and distinguished public service of James (Jimmy) Earl Carter, Jr. on the occasion of his 100th birthday. It also expresses thanks and commendations to him and his family.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/684c2356333714e4aee2e1fd_200.jpg)