Jennifer McClellan

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

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.

Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act

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.

Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act

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.

Honoring the life, achievements, legacy, and public service of former President James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr.

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. 

Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act This bill requires the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) in the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on hospitals’ use of electronic automated referrals for organ donations. The bill defines electronic automated referral as an electronic system that uses electronic health records to identify patients who are potential organ donors and automatically refers those patients to organ procurement organizations.  The ASPE must include specified components in the study, including identifying benefits, reviewing best practices, and developing recommendations for the use of electronic automated referrals for organ donations.

Health Care Affordability Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

Health Care Affordability Act of 2025 This bill makes permanent temporary changes enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) that generally expand eligibility for and increase the amount of the premium tax credit. Currently, eligible taxpayers may be able to claim the premium tax credit, which applies toward the cost of obtaining health insurance through health insurance exchanges. To be eligible for the premium tax credit, a taxpayer’s household income must meet or exceed 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and, after 2025, may not exceed 400% of the FPL (maximum income limit). For 2021-2025, the ARPA and IRA eliminated the maximum income limit, which generally expands eligibility for the premium tax credit. Further, under current law, the amount of the premium tax credit is (1) generally the plan premium (conditions apply), minus (2) the taxpayer’s household income multiplied by the applicable percentage. The applicable percentage is a specific percentage that varies depending on which of six income ranges (adjusted for inflation after 2025) the taxpayer’s household income falls within. For 2021-2025, the ARPA and IRA lowered the applicable percentages and eliminated the adjustment of the applicable percentages for inflation, which generally increases the amount of the premium tax credit. The bill makes permanent the elimination of the 400% maximum income limit, the lower applicable percentages, and the elimination of the inflation adjustment for the applicable percentages.

Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution

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.

Recognizing the 112th Anniversary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

This resolution recognizes the 112th anniversary of the founding of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Paycheck Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2025

Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

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.

LNG Public Interest Determination Act of 2025

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.

ACERO Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025

Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations Act or the ACERO Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project. The ACERO project conducts research and development activities regarding aerial response to wildfires using uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and other advanced aviation technologies. It is administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  The bill directs the ACERO project to address airspace management and deconfliction during wildfire response efforts, including through real-time information sharing among response teams and the development of a platform to provide situational awareness of aerial assets. The bill also directs the ACERO project to establish a multiagency concept of operations to facilitate the coordination of aerial wildfire response among federal, state, and local government agencies. NASA must consult with other federal agencies and departments to avoid duplication of these efforts.  NASA generally may not procure UAS manufactured or assembled by specified foreign entities, including entities domiciled in or controlled by China, for use by the ACERO project.

Department of Education Protection Act

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.

Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act

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.

Honoring Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, on reaching the historic milestone of 117 years of serving communities.

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

This resolution congratulates and commends Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. for its 117 years of service.

Prevent Tariff Abuse Act

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.)

Veterans Member Business Loan Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Veterans Member Business Loan Act This bill excludes from credit union aggregate loan limitations member business loans made to veterans. 

Honoring Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., on reaching the historic milestone of 105 years of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

This resolution congratulates and commends Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. on 105 years of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.

Saving the Civil Service Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Saving the Civil Service Act This bill generally prohibits changes to the classification of positions in the competitive service and excepted service unless certain conditions are met. (Competitive service positions are subject to competitive examination while excepted service positions are appointed under one of five schedules. Competitive service positions have notice and appeal requirements for adverse actions that are not applicable to most excepted positions, including those of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character under Schedule C.) On October 21, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that placed executive agency positions that are of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character, and that are not normally subject to change as a result of a presidential transition, under a new Schedule F in the excepted service. The order was subsequently revoked by President Joe Biden. The bill prohibits executive agency positions in the competitive service from being placed in the excepted service, unless such positions are placed in a schedule in the excepted service as in effect on September 30, 2020. The bill also prohibits positions in the excepted service from being placed in any schedule other than the aforementioned schedules. Additionally, agencies may not (1) transfer occupied positions from the competitive or excepted service into Schedule C without the consent of the Office of Personnel Management, or (2) transfer employees in the excepted service to another schedule or transfer employees in the competitive service to the excepted service without employee consent. 

Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act This bill addresses the standards for eligibility for service in the Armed Forces. Specifically, the bill provides that any qualifications established or applied relating to eligibility for service in any of the Armed Forces must not include any criteria relating to the race, color, national origin, religion, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or sex characteristics) of an individual. Additionally, any personnel policy developed or implemented by a military department with respect to members of the Armed Forces must ensure equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or sex characteristics).

Equal COLA Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Equal COLA Act This bill applies a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for annuities paid under the Federal Employees Retirement System that is equal to the increase in inflation, regardless of the amount of the increase. Specifically, for any year in which the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased over the previous year, the COLA amount shall be increased by the change in the CPI from the previous year.  Current law applies an adjustment equal to the change in CPI only if the change is 2% or less. If the change is between 2% and 3%, the adjustment is limited to 2%. If the change is more than 3%, the adjustment is limited to 1% less than the change.

Honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by celebrating diversity, promoting tolerance, and condemning hate.

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

This resolution celebrates the 96th anniversary of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

To codify Executive Order 14096 relating to revitalizing our Nation's commitment to environmental justice for all.

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

This bill provides statutory authority for Executive Order 14096, which was issued on April 26, 2023, to advance a government-wide approach to environmental justice, including by directing each federal agency to (1) make achieving environmental justice part of its mission, (2) issue an Environmental Justice Strategic Plan every four years, and (3) provide public notice of certain toxic chemical releases. The Executive Order also established the White House Office of Environmental Justice as well as an Environmental Justice Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council.

911 SAVES Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act of 2025 or the 911 SAVES Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to categorize public safety telecommunicators as a protective service occupation under the Standard Occupational Classification system no later than 30 days after the enactment of this bill. (The Standard Occupational Classification system is a federal statistical standard used by federal agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data.)

Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to health care providers for security services and other expenses related to physical security and cybersecurity.

Coordination for Soil Carbon Research and Monitoring Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Build Housing with Care Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Expressing strong disapproval of the President's announcement to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025 This bill expands eligibility for Head Start programs to include the children of families eligible for specified public assistance programs.  Specifically, the bill expands Head Start eligibility to include the children of families that qualify for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and federal housing assistance (commonly known as Section 8). The bill also provides statutory authority for the eligibility of families that qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Families that qualify for state-funded food assistance programs with eligibility standards identical or substantially similar to the standards for SNAP must also be eligible for Head Start. 

SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025

SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025 This bill repeals the shelter deduction cap for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit, thereby allowing a household to deduct all allowable housing expenses (e.g., rent or mortgage, electricity, and water costs) that exceed 50% of a household's income after other deductions when calculating net income to determine SNAP benefits. Under current law, the shelter deduction is capped (unless at least one household member is an elderly or disabled individual), and the cap is adjusted annually for inflation. In FY2025, the shelter deduction is capped at $712 for households in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.

Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025

Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration to issue or update guidance to minimize the risk for contamination of breast milk, baby formula, purified deionized water for infants, juice, and related products that are subject to re-screening or additional screening, including by ensuring adherence to hygienic standards. Related products include ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs, and other accessories required to cool breast milk, baby formula, and juice. In addition, the bill directs the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General to audit compliance with these requirements and submit a report to Congress.

Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025

Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act This bill establishes that a foreign nongovernmental organization shall not be disqualified from receiving certain U.S. international development assistance solely because the organization provides medical services (including counseling and referral services) using non-U.S. government funds if the medical services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided. Such foreign organizations shall not be subject to requirements relating to their use of non-U.S. funds for advocacy or lobbying activities other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving such assistance.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the Federal Government and is not subject to privatization.

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should ensure that the U.S. Postal Service is not privatized and remains an independent establishment of the federal government.

SAFE Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2025

Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act or the SAFE Act This bill permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. Fentanyl-related substances are currently regulated under schedule I through a temporary order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The temporary order expires on March 31, 2025. It limits mandatory minimum penalties for certain offenses involving fentanyl-related substances, establishes a process to deschedule or remove certain fentanyl-related substances that have a low potential for abuse, and allows federal courts to vacate or reduce sentences for convictions involving a fentanyl-related substance that is descheduled or moved to a schedule other than schedule I or II. The bill establishes a new, alternative registration process for schedule I research. It also makes other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances, waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration. Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to analyze the implementation and impact of permanently placing fentanyl-related substances into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

SAD Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2025

Stop Antiabortion Disinformation Act or the SAD Act This bill prohibits deceptive advertising for reproductive health services. Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for a person (i.e., individual, partnership, corporation, association, or organization) to deceptively advertise the reproductive health services they offer, including by misrepresenting that the person (1) offers or provides contraception or abortion services (or referrals for such contraception or abortion services), or (2) employs or offers access to licensed medical personnel. The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission. In addition to any other penalty, violations are subject to a civil penalty that may not exceed the greater of $100,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) or 50% of the revenue earned during the preceding 12-month period by the ultimate parent entity of the person who violated the bill. 

Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2025

Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act This bill allows, beginning in 2028, for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen for cancer across many cancer types, if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determines such coverage is appropriate. Coverage is limited to those under a certain age (age 68 in 2028, increased by one year every year thereafter) and to one test every 11 months.

EITC Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2025

EITC Modernization Act This bill expands eligibility for the earned income tax credit (EITC), provides a minimum EITC amount of $1,200 (subject to limitations), and allows an individual to receive the EITC as monthly payments. The bill also establishes a grant program for tax return preparation assistance for low-income individuals. Under the bill, EITC eligibility is expanded to include a student who meets certain requirements and an individual with a qualifying dependent, which includes a qualifying child, dependent who attains the age of 65 within the tax year and for whom the individual may claim a tax deduction for a personal exemption, and dependent or spouse who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves and meets certain residency requirements. Further, for an individual who does not have a qualifying dependent, the bill lowers the EITC eligibility age to 18 years (from 25 years) and eliminates the maximum age limit. The bill allows an individual who meets certain requirements to receive the EITC in monthly payments and provides for a one-time increase in the first monthly payment. The bill also provides a new parent (through birth or adoption) an increase in their monthly EITC payments (subject to limitations). Finally, the bill establishes a grant program, which is similar to the existing Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and provides funding for tax return preparation assistance for low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations.

Rosa Parks Day Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025

Rosa Parks Day Act This bill designates Rosa Parks Day as a federal holiday.

To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, collectively, in recognition of their unique contribution to Civil Rights, which inspired a revolutionary movement for equality in interstate travel.

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025

This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, in recognition of their contribution to civil rights by fighting for equality in interstate travel.