Rep. Lateefah Simon

Maddy summaryThe CLEANER Act of 2025 requires the EPA to evaluate within one year whether drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes from oil, gas, and geothermal operations qualify as hazardous waste under federal law. If determined hazardous, the EPA must list these wastes and create tailored regulations for their handling, while also setting new safety standards for facilities managing non-hazardous waste from these sources. Key provisions include mandatory groundwater monitoring, location criteria for waste facilities, and financial assurance requirements to protect public health and the environment. This bill directly affects oil and gas producers, waste management facilities, and geothermal energy operations by imposing new regulatory obligations on their waste streams.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires oil and gas companies conducting hydraulic fracturing operations to disclose detailed chemical ingredients before starting and within 30 days after completing operations. Companies must provide full chemical names, CAS numbers, safety data sheets, and volumes to state or federal authorities, who then make this information publicly available online. The bill includes an exception allowing immediate disclosure of proprietary chemical formulas during medical emergencies, though companies can later request confidentiality agreements. It directly affects fracking operators in oil, gas, and geothermal production, amending the Safe Drinking Water Act to mandate transparency while maintaining trade secret protections outside emergency situations.

Closing Loopholes for Oil and other Sources of Emissions Act or the CLOSE Act This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise requirements for hazardous air pollutants. Specifically, the bill allows (1) emissions from oil or gas exploration or production wells and emissions from pipeline compressors or pump stations to be aggregated with emissions from other similar sources and regulated as a major source of toxic air pollutants, (2) emissions from those wells to be aggregated for purposes of emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants, and (3) emissions from oil or gas production wells to be regulated as an area source of toxic air pollutants. The Environmental Protection Agency must (1) issue a final rule adding hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants; and (2) revise the list of air pollution sources within 365 days after issuing the rule to include categories and subcategories of major sources and area sources of hydrogen sulfide, including oil and gas wells.

Maddy summaryHR 6069, the RIDER Safety Act, directs federal funding for unarmed "transit support specialists" on public transit systems. These specialists are defined as staff who enhance rider safety through presence, engagement, and de-escalation - monitoring stations/vehicles, assisting riders, reporting threats, resolving minor conflicts, and connecting patrons to crisis services without police involvement. The bill amends federal transit grant rules to specifically allow operational funds for these roles, separate from traditional crime prevention funding. It directly affects public transit systems receiving federal grants under Sections 5338 or 5307, enabling them to hire and deploy this new type of safety personnel.

Maddy summaryHR 6056, the International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025, establishes a permanent Special Envoy at the State Department to lead U.S. foreign policy efforts addressing discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ people globally. The bill requires the U.S. government to develop and update a biannual global strategy to prevent criminalization and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals, mandate detailed reporting on such abuses in annual country reports, and ensure all U.S. foreign assistance programs include inclusive nondiscrimination policies. This legislation directly affects U.S. foreign policy implementation, federal agencies receiving funding, and LGBTQI+ communities facing persecution worldwide. The bill aims to coordinate U.S. government efforts across departments and with international partners to advance LGBTQI+ rights globally through concrete policy mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 6011, the VA Work-Study Improvement Act, expands opportunities for veterans and military members participating in the VA's work-study program. It allows them to work on activities with state/local governments or nonprofits that benefit veterans (e.g., community service or job training), and sets a new wage standard requiring payments to be the highest of federal employee rates, state minimum wage, or local minimum wage. The bill also requires electronic tracking of work hours and annual public reporting on program participation, including demographics, wages, hours worked, and participating schools. These changes apply to work-study payments made on or after January 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHRES 876 is a non-binding House resolution calling on the U.S. government to formally recognize Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide under the Genocide Convention. It directs the U.S. to cease arms transfers to Israel where genocide is suspected, ensure Israel complies with International Court of Justice orders, investigate potential genocide-related crimes, and support UNRWA funding. The resolution specifically cites findings from the UN Commission of Inquiry, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, and major human rights organizations regarding Israel's conduct. It affects U.S. foreign policy and military aid decisions toward Israel, requiring the administration to take concrete steps to fulfill U.S. legal obligations under the Genocide Convention. The resolution does not alter U.S. law but sets a policy stance for congressional action.

Maddy summaryHR 5940, the Seniors Deserve SMARTER Care Act of 2025, prohibits the implementation of the Medicare WISeR model (described in a July 2025 federal notice). The bill specifically blocks the Secretary of Health and Human Services from using the WISeR model, which would have required prior authorization for certain medical services under Medicare. This directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and healthcare providers who would have been subject to the model's requirements. The key provision is a clear ban on implementing WISeR or any substantially similar payment model, preventing changes to Medicare's service authorization process. The bill does not create new programs but stops a specific proposed Medicare policy change.

Maddy summaryHR 5965, the Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act, expands work-study eligibility for veterans pursuing education or rehabilitation programs at least half-time (instead of the current three-quarter-time requirement). The bill creates a 5-year pilot program allowing veterans to receive a work-study allowance from the VA while studying part-time, directly affecting veterans enrolled in qualifying programs. It requires the VA to submit annual reports tracking participation rates, four-year degree attainment, and full-time VA employment outcomes for participants. The law modernizes existing VA work-study rules without altering benefit amounts or creating new funding streams.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures continuous funding for SNAP (food assistance) and WIC (nutrition program for mothers/children) during government funding gaps. It authorizes emergency Treasury funds to cover SNAP/WIC benefits and reimburse states for costs if Congress fails to pass regular appropriations for the Department of Agriculture by September 30, 2025. The funding covers missed payments retroactively from September 30, 2025, through the bill’s enactment date, and continues until either regular appropriations pass or September 30, 2026. It directly affects low-income households relying on these programs and state agencies administering them during funding lapses.