Rep. Delia C. Ramirez

Maddy summaryHR 1134, the People Over Pentagon Act of 2023, would reduce the U.S. Department of Defense's 2024 budget by $100 billion. It directly affects the Pentagon's funding, though it specifically preserves spending for the Defense Health Program, military personnel, and civil service pay and benefits. The bill mandates this cut while directing the Secretary of Defense to consider a 2021 Congressional Budget Office report on managing a smaller defense budget. It does not specify where the savings would be redirected, only requiring reallocation to address non-military national security priorities.

Maddy summaryThe Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2023 would establish a new Cabinet-level Department of Peacebuilding within the executive branch of the U.S. government. The department would include multiple offices focused on domestic and international peacebuilding, violence prevention, peace education, and conflict resolution, with specific offices dedicated to areas like peace education, domestic activities, international activities, technology, arms control, and human rights. It would create a Secretary of Peacebuilding position and require the department to develop policies addressing root causes of violence, promote nonviolent conflict resolution, and collaborate with existing federal agencies. The bill would mandate annual reports on progress toward peace in the United States and require consultation with other departments on matters related to conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Maddy summaryHR 724, the Arctic Refuge Protection Act, repeals the existing oil and gas program for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and designates approximately 1.56 million acres of the refuge's coastal plain as federal wilderness. This bill directly affects the Arctic Refuge by permanently prohibiting oil and gas leasing and development in that specific area. The key mechanism is adding the designated land to the National Wilderness Preservation System under the Wilderness Act, requiring it to be managed for its natural conditions. This change legally protects the area from future fossil fuel extraction activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Ralph David Abernathy, Sr. National Historic Site in Georgia as part of the National Park System. It specifically preserves the West Hunter Street Baptist Church (where Abernathy served as pastor during the civil rights movement) and honors his leadership role. The site cannot be formally established until the National Park Service acquires sufficient land (through donation or purchase), and requires a management plan within 3 years of funding. The bill directly affects the National Park Service, the State of Georgia, and local communities by designating this location for preservation and public interpretation.

Maddy summaryHR 1088, the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to honor Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968) and the first Black candidate for a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image, which will be presented by Congress and then permanently displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to the public to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund. This bill commemorates Chisholm's legacy and achievements without creating new laws or affecting any current policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a posthumous Congressional gold medal for Constance Baker Motley, a pioneering civil rights attorney and federal judge. It directs the Treasury to strike a gold medal featuring her image and name, to be presented to her son, Joel Motley III, and niece, Constance Royster. The medal is a commemorative tribute recognizing her historic contributions to civil rights and her service as the first African-American woman appointed to a federal judgeship. No new policies or programs are created; the bill solely honors her legacy through a commemorative medal.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor all U.S. Army Dustoff crews who served during the Vietnam War (1962-1973). It recognizes their critical role in evacuating nearly 900,000 wounded personnel, including U.S., South Vietnamese, and allied forces, under extreme combat conditions. The medal, designed with input from the Secretary of Defense, will be presented to the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum for permanent display. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover costs, but the primary action is the commemorative recognition of these crews' service.

Maddy summaryThe Pregnant Women in Custody Act establishes new standards for care of pregnant women in correctional facilities across federal, state, tribal, and local systems. It prohibits using restrictive housing for pregnant women from confirmed pregnancy through 12 weeks after delivery (with limited exceptions), requires facilities to provide comprehensive healthcare services including prenatal and postpartum care, and mandates data collection about the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women. The bill also requires staff training on proper treatment, establishes protocols for unexpected childbirth, and mandates transfer of women with high-risk pregnancies to facilities with appropriate medical care. These provisions aim to improve health outcomes for both mothers and infants by addressing gaps in care for incarcerated pregnant women.

Maddy summaryHR 782 prohibits state officials from interfering with abortion services provided across state lines. It specifically blocks states from restricting: (1) out-of-state patients traveling for legal abortions, (2) providers offering such services, (3) assistance for travel or care, or (4) the interstate shipment of FDA-approved abortion drugs. The bill allows the federal Attorney General or affected individuals to sue violators for injunctions, damages, and attorney fees. It directly affects patients seeking care in other states, healthcare providers, transportation services, and pharmacies handling FDA-approved abortion medications. The law focuses on preventing state laws from blocking access to legally permitted abortion services.

Maddy summaryHRES 112 is a non-binding House resolution expressing condolences for five victims killed in a 2019 mass shooting at a Henry Pratt Company warehouse in Aurora, Illinois. It honors the memory of Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard, and Trevor Wehner, while also recognizing five Aurora Police officers wounded during the response. The resolution commends first responders and expresses support for the Aurora community, standing in solidarity with victims of gun violence nationwide. As a commemorative measure with no policy or funding changes, it serves solely to memorialize the tragedy and acknowledge community resilience.