Rep. Luz M. Rivas

Maddy summaryHR 2210, the Saving NASA’s Workforce Act, prohibits NASA from initiating or implementing reductions in force or involuntary separations of most employees until after full-year funding for fiscal year 2026 is enacted. It specifically protects employees in competitive service, excepted service, and the Senior Executive Service from being laid off, except for cause related to misconduct, inefficiency, or delinquency. The bill applies to all standard personnel actions under federal law and does not affect existing authority for disciplinary separations. This moratorium directly affects NASA’s workforce by preventing layoffs during the current funding cycle.

Maddy summaryHR 2209, the Saving NIST’s Workforce Act, prohibits the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) from implementing layoffs or involuntary employee separations (except for misconduct, inefficiency, or delinquency) until after full-year funding for NIST’s fiscal year 2026 budget is enacted. The bill directly affects all NIST employees in the competitive service, excepted service, and senior executive roles by blocking workforce reductions during this period. Key provisions require NIST to maintain current staffing levels through the end of FY2026, unless Congress passes a full-year appropriations bill for that year. This is a procedural measure focused on preserving NIST’s current workforce structure, not creating new programs or altering funding levels.

Maddy summaryThe Saving NOAA’s Workforce Act (HR 2211) prohibits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from initiating layoffs or involuntary separations of most employees until after full-year funding for fiscal year 2026 is approved. It specifically blocks reductions in force or involuntary separations for competitive service, excepted service career employees, and Senior Executive Service members, except for cause (like misconduct or inefficiency). This bill directly affects NOAA’s workforce by preserving current employment status through the 2026 budget cycle.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 221) is a symbolic gesture supporting the designation of March 14, 2025, as "National Pi Day." It does not create new laws or affect any specific group, but encourages schools and educators to use the day for math-related activities. The resolution recognizes the National Science Foundation's role in math and science education and urges schools to observe March 14 with events focused on the mathematical constant π (pi). It aligns with the date March 14 (3.14) and aims to promote interest in mathematics among students. The bill has no binding effect beyond expressing congressional support.

Maddy summaryHRES 216 is a resolution condemning the leadership of the House Republican Conference for allowing a social media post that falsely questioned the immigration status and patriotism of Congressman Adriano Espaillat (Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus). The resolution specifically names House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and other top Republican leaders as responsible for the post. It characterizes the post as xenophobic and inappropriate, stating such rhetoric violates the standards of conduct expected of members of Congress.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i.e., breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body). Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Under current law, individuals generally must wait 5 months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to transition its workforce from a special personnel management system to the standard federal personnel system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by December 31, 2025. It protects TSA employees by ensuring no reduction in pay, benefits, or retirement rights during the transition, while preserving collective bargaining rights for screening agents. The legislation also mandates consultation with labor unions during the process and requires several reports on workforce issues including recruitment, harassment policies, and workplace safety.

American Teacher Act This bill establishes grants to increase the minimum salary of public elementary and secondary school teachers. It also authorizes a national campaign regarding the value of the teaching profession. First, the bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award four-year grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to establish a minimum annual salary of $60,000 (to be adjusted annually for inflation) for these teachers. Second, the bill directs ED to award grants to eligible SEAs to provide cost-of-living adjustments to the annual base salary of teachers. Finally, the bill authorizes ED to carry out a national campaign to (1) increase awareness about the importance of teachers and the value of the teaching profession, (2) encourage secondary school and college students to consider teaching as a professional career, and (3) diversify the pool of individuals who enter the teaching profession.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by clarifying how to prove voting discrimination and expanding requirements for preclearance of voting changes. It establishes new standards for determining when voting practices dilute minority voting strength or deny/abridge voting rights, requiring plaintiffs to show specific conditions for vote dilution claims and including factors like historical discrimination and racial polarization in court analyses. The bill modifies the criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must seek preclearance for voting changes, and adds new transparency requirements for jurisdictions to publicly disclose changes to voting qualifications, polling locations, and election districts. It directly affects states and local governments that implement voting policies, particularly those with a history of voting rights violations or that make changes to voting qualifications, procedures, or district boundaries. The bill aims to prevent discriminatory voting practices by providing clearer standards for courts and requiring greater transparency in voting rule changes.

Maddy summaryThe Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 strengthens workers' organizing rights by making it an unfair labor practice for employers to threaten permanent replacement of striking workers, discriminate against workers who support unions, or require employees to attend employer campaigns unrelated to their job duties. It expands the definition of "employee" to make it harder for companies to classify workers as independent contractors and requires employers to post notices about workers' rights in conspicuous locations. The bill establishes a new electronic voting system for union elections, creates a 90-day bargaining period before mediation can be requested, and increases penalties for violations of labor laws. These changes are intended to make it easier for workers to form unions and negotiate better wages and working conditions.