Proposed legislation related to civil rights: July 17, 2025 - August 22, 2025

Reminder: Topics include race/racism, ethnicity (no immigration policy), religion, DEI, and affirmative action.

H.R.4529 – Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act. To increase market access for Black farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, to ensure civil rights accountability.
Introduced July 17, 2025 by David Scott (D-GA). Cosponsored by 22 Democratic representatives, no Republicans. Referred to Ways and Means and Agriculture the same day.

H.R.4603 - FAIR Act. Fair, Affordable and Inclusive Rates Act. To amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to prohibit State regulatory authorities from approving rates charged by electric utilities that engage in certain diversity, equity, or inclusion practices, or that consider environmental, social, or governance factors.
Introduced July 22, 2025 by John McGuire (R-VA). No cosponsors. Referred to Energy and Commerce the same day.
Comment: Despite its name and description, the bill is anti-DEI legislation. From the bill, its heart and soul: No State regulatory authority shall approve the rate of a State regulated electric utility if such State regulated electric utility engages in, or retains or employs a consultant or an advisor to promote or enforce, a diversity, equity, or inclusion practice.
I genuinely hate how Trump Republicans feel it’s necessary to camouflage DEI legislation under the guide of either “non-discrimination” or something unrelated. If they want to be bigots, own it. Don’t pretend not to be a white Christian nationalist.

H.R.4723 - Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2025. To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a behavioral and mental health outreach and education strategy to reduce stigma associated with mental health among the Hispanic and Latino population.
Introduced July 23, 2025 by Andrea Salinas (D-OR). Cosponsored by seven Democrats and no Republicans. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce the same day.

S.2487 - Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025. To award a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the Buffalo Soldier regiments, authorized by Congress in 1866 to serve in the United States Armed Forces, in recognition of their superior, dedicated, and vital service to the United States.
Introduced July 28, 2025 by Andy Kim (D-NJ). Cosponsored by three Democrats, one Independent [Angus King (I-ME)], and one Republican [Tim Scott (R-SC)]. Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs the same day.

H.Res.619 - Supporting the goals and ideals of “Minority Mental Health Awareness Month” and recognizing the disproportionate impacts of mental health conditions and struggles on minority populations and communities.
Introduced July 29, 2025 by Jasmine Crockett (D-TX). Cosponsored by thirteen Democrats and no Republicans. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce the same day.

H.R.4885 - To posthumously award a historic Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Africans and their descendants enslaved within our country from August 20, 1619, to December 6, 1865. (No short title.)
Introduced August 5, 2025 by Al Green (D-TX). No cosponsors. Referred to the Committee on Financial Services and House Administration and Budget the same day.
Very serious comment: Normally I would see this as a quixotic bit of legislation. But it’s not. And Mike Johnson’s referral of this to multiple committees is beyond absurd.
The proposed Congressional Medal would not be given to each and every descendant of slaves. Rather, it would be given to the Smithsonian on behalf of “Africans and their descendants enslaved…”
The cost is minimal. The humanity is maximal. Please read the text of this bill.

H.R.4937 - EQUAL Parks Act (Expanding Quality and Universal Access to Lands and Parks Act). To codify the Presidential Memorandum of January 12, 2017, relating to promoting diversity and inclusion in our national parks, national forests, and other public lands and waters.
Introduced August 8, 2025 by Emily Randall (D-WA). Cosponsored by Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Sean Casten (D-IL). Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure and Science, Space, and Technology the same day.

H.R.4947 - No Discrimination in Farm Programs Act. To prohibit the use of race-based or sex-based criteria in the administration of certain Department of Agriculture programs.
Introduced August 12, 2025 by Jodey Arrington (R-TX). Cosponsored by five Republicans, including Scott Perry (R-PA-10).
Comment: George Orwell would be proud. This is NOT a “no discrimination” bill. It’s an anti-DEI bill!

If this post helped you in your research, please consider leaving a tip here: TIP JAR.