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 · 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 · 24 September 2024
No Foreign Gifts Act of 2024 This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) from receiving federal education funds if the IHE receives gifts from certain countries. Specifically, the bill prohibits an IHE from receiving a gift from (1) China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran; or (2) a country that has provided material support to a foreign terrorist organization, as determined by the Department of State. The bill also requires an IHE, as a condition of eligibility for federal education funds, to report any offer of a gift from such a foreign country.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2024
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that every individual has the right to emergency health care, including abortion care.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2024
College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability Act of 2024 or the COLUMBIA Act of 2024 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish a program to appoint third-party anti-Semitism monitors at certain institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, ED must establish this program to appoint a monitor at an IHE that (1) has a high incidence of anti-Semitic activity (based on data received from ED's Office for Civil Rights), and (2) receives federal funds for higher education. ED must develop an anti-Semitism monitorship agreement that (1) designates the terms and conditions of the monitorship, and (2) requires the IHE to provide for the monitor's reasonable expenses. The bill requires the monitor to operate under the monitorship agreement developed by ED and entered into with the IHE; provide publicly available quarterly reports that evaluate the IHE's progress in combating anti-Semitism on campus; and provide annual reports to Congress, ED, state and local governments (as needed), and the IHE that include recommendations for actions, policies, and sanctions to prevent and reduce anti-Semitism at the IHE.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2024
This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 114 John Street in New York, New York, as the "Jack Greenberg Post Office".
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2024
Enhanced Presidential Security Act of 2024 This bill requires the U.S. Secret Service to apply the same standards for determining the number of agents required to protect Presidents, Vice Presidents, and major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates. (The Department of Homeland Security identifies major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates after consultation with an advisory committee composed of congressional leaders.)
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2024
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. (A journeyman lineworker is a person who builds and maintains electrical power systems.)
![Official portrait of Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000486_200.jpg)