Zoe Lofgren

Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act

This bill would change the rules about where bankruptcy cases can be filed, likely making it harder for companies to shop around for bankruptcy courts they prefer. The changes would affect businesses filing for bankruptcy and potentially their creditors, employees, and other parties with financial claims, by limiting which courts have jurisdiction over these cases.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate.

Congress is considering blocking a new Labor Department rule that sets wage requirements for certain temporary worker visa programs. The rule would increase the minimum wages that employers must pay foreign workers brought in through these programs, which supporters say protects American workers from wage competition but opponents argue raises costs for businesses. If approved, this resolution would prevent the new wage rule from taking effect.

Online Privacy Act of 2026

This bill would establish new rules for how companies collect, use, and share personal information about people online, likely requiring websites and apps to be more transparent about what data they gather and giving users more control over their information. It would probably set standards for data security and allow people to request that companies delete their personal data or stop selling it to third parties. The rules would apply to tech companies, social media platforms, retailers, and other businesses that collect information from internet users.

Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2026

This bill would likely establish or modify immigration court procedures and standards to address concerns about judicial consistency and legal processes in immigration cases. The legislation would affect immigrants facing deportation or seeking legal status, as well as immigration judges and court operations. The bill has been sent to the Judiciary and Budget committees for review.

Chip EQUIP Act

The legislation aims to strengthen America's semiconductor manufacturing and supply chain by providing support for domestic chip production and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. It would likely affect semiconductor companies, tech manufacturers, and workers in the electronics industry by encouraging investment in U.S. chip-making facilities. The bill has been sent to two congressional committees to review different aspects of the proposal related to energy, commerce, and scientific research.

Redistricting Reform Act of 2025

The proposal would establish new rules for how states redraw congressional district boundaries after each census, aiming to reduce partisan gerrymandering where politicians manipulate maps to favor their own party. It would likely require states to use independent commissions or follow specific criteria like keeping districts compact and respecting existing community boundaries, affecting how elections are conducted across the country. This change would impact voters, political parties, and elected officials by potentially making elections more competitive and representative of actual population distribution.

Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929

This bill would extend or update certain immigration rules that have been in place since 1929, though the specific provisions being renewed are not detailed in the available information. The changes would likely affect how immigrants enter the country and what requirements they must meet, impacting both foreign nationals seeking to come to the United States and the government agencies that process immigration cases. Without more details about which particular rules are being renewed, the exact effects on immigration policy remain unclear.

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025 This bill establishes a new certified agricultural worker (CAW) visa status for foreign farmworkers, heightens requirements under the current H-2A temporary worker program, and provides for mandatory employment eligibility verification for the agricultural workforce. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may grant CAW status to an applying non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) who meets certain requirements, such as hours worked in agricultural labor during a specified time period and having a continuous presence in the United States. The bill establishes a path to lawful permanent resident status for those with CAW status. CAW status shall be valid for 5.5 years and may be extended. The applicant's spouse or children may receive CAW dependent status. A CAW applicant may not be detained or removed by DHS and shall be authorized for employment until DHS makes a final decision on the application. The bill also modifies the H-2A visa program, which allows employers to hire foreign workers for temporary or seasonal agricultural work. The changes include (1) requiring H-2A employers to guarantee certain minimum work hours, and (2) making the program available for agricultural work that is not temporary or seasonal. DHS must also establish an electronic system patterned on the E-Verify Program for employers to verify an individual's identity and employment authorization. Employers hiring individuals for agricultural employment must use the system. The bill extends through FY2030 and codifies the Multifamily Housing Preservation and Revitalization program for rural and farmworker housing.

Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act

I cannot write a meaningful summary for this bill. The title "Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act" does not clearly indicate what policy it would actually implement, and the only subject listed is immigration, which creates a disconnect that makes it impossible to determine what the bill would do in concrete terms. Without access to the bill's actual text or a clearer indication of its purpose, I cannot provide an accurate summary for a general audience.

H-2B Program Reform Act of 2009

H-2B Program Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make any alien seeking to enter the United States as an H-2B visa (nonagricultural temporary/seasonal worker) inadmissible unless the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) certifies to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) that: (1) there are not sufficient U.S. workers to perform such temporary labor or services; and (2) such alien's employment will not adversely affect similarly-employed U.S. workers' wages and working conditions. Requires H-2B employers to file an application with the Secretary which shall include information regarding: (1) the numbers, occupational classifications, and employment locations of such nonimmigrants; (2) the recurring and temporary need for such labor and the inability to secure U.S. workers to meet such labor needs; and (3) instances of employment-related violations within the previous three years. Limits labor contracting and construction entities registration eligibility. Directs the Secretary to set the number of H-2B visas each employer would be approved to use. Requires an employer to pay a $100 application fee and a $100 per-worker fee. Sets forth: (1) labor certification application provisions; (2) H-2B and U.S. worker protections; and (3) penalties, including temporary program removal, for compliance failures. Establishes in the Treasury the Employment Certification Fee Account. States that forest, conservation, and logging workers shall be considered: (1) H-2A nonimmigrant agricultural workers for employment purposes; and (2) seasonal agricultural workers under the Migrant Seasonal Worker Protection Act.