Rep. Robert Garcia

Maddy summaryHR 549, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, removes waiting periods for disability and Medicare coverage for people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Specifically, it amends Social Security Act sections to allow immediate eligibility for disability insurance benefits (eliminating the standard waiting period) and immediate Medicare coverage (waiving the 24-month waiting period) for these patients. The bill directly affects individuals with metastatic breast cancer who would otherwise face delays in accessing critical benefits. These changes apply to applications filed or benefits beginning after the bill's enactment date. The law makes no other policy changes beyond these specific eligibility adjustments.

Maddy summaryThe EACH Act of 2023 would require federal health programs - including Medicaid, Medicare, the Indian Health Service, and TRICARE - to cover abortion services without restrictions. It repeals a provision in the Affordable Care Act that allowed states to limit abortion coverage in health insurance plans sold through state marketplaces. The bill also prohibits the federal government from restricting abortion coverage in private health insurance plans. This would directly affect millions of people, particularly low-income individuals and people of color, who are disproportionately enrolled in Medicaid and currently face barriers to abortion care due to coverage restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the use of hydrofluoric acid (HF) at U.S. petroleum refineries to prevent mass casualty incidents. It prohibits new refineries from using HF starting immediately and requires existing refineries (currently using HF at ~40 facilities) to switch to safer alternatives within 5 years. The law includes a $37,500 civil penalty for violations and explicitly blocks the EPA from granting waivers. This directly affects refineries using HF and protects communities within 25 miles of these facilities, where over 14 million people live near HF-using refineries.

Maddy summaryHR 7438 directs the U.S. Treasury to mint commemorative coins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins. The coins will be sold to the public at face value plus surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin, respectively), with all surcharge revenue paid to FWC2026 US, Inc. for U.S. soccer programs. These funds must support soccer initiatives, particularly in underserved communities and youth development, as specified in the bill. The coins are legal tender but will only be issued during 2026, with no net cost to the U.S. government.

Maddy summaryThe Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2024 enables victims of human trafficking to seek to vacate certain convictions or expunge arrests related to offenses they committed as a direct result of being trafficked. It establishes a court process where victims can file motions showing their criminal activity was trafficking-related, with courts required to find by preponderance of evidence that the offense was directly tied to trafficking. If granted, the court must expunge all related records, return any fines paid, and treat the individual as if the offense never occurred. The bill also adds a "human trafficking defense" that creates a presumption of duress for trafficking victims in prosecutions. It requires reports on implementation and training for U.S. attorneys on trafficking indicators.

Maddy summaryHRES 1610 is a ceremonial resolution that commemorates the 40th anniversary of both the LA84 Foundation and the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It honors the foundation, established from the Games' $233 million surplus, which has since invested in youth sports programs serving 4 million young people across southern California. The resolution recognizes the 1984 Games' historical significance as the first privately financed Olympics, featuring milestones like the women's marathon debut and global broadcasting innovations. It has no policy impact or new funding - it solely celebrates these anniversaries through symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHR 6751 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring Roberto Clemente, a Hall of Fame baseball player and humanitarian, including 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins. The coins must feature Clemente's image and inscriptions like "Roberto Clemente" and "2027," with all sales including a surcharge ($5-$35 per coin) paid to the Roberto Clemente Foundation. The foundation, which supports youth sports, education, and disaster relief programs, will use these funds for its mission, while the U.S. Treasury must recover all production costs. The coins will be sold exclusively in 2027, with no net cost to the government.

Maddy summaryThe Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act of 2024 would expand access to preventive cancer screenings (including breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancer screenings) for women, with a focus on low-income women, women of color, rural communities, and underserved populations. It authorizes $20 million annually for grants to health care providers - such as family planning centers - to increase screenings and establishes a training program for health care providers on best practices and cultural competency to address racial disparities. The bill also mandates a study analyzing cancer screening rates and disparities by race, income, geography, and insurance status, with reports to Congress every five years. These provisions aim to improve early detection, reduce mortality, and address systemic barriers in women’s cancer care.

Maddy summaryThis bill names the U.S. Postal Service building at 333 West Broadway in Anaheim, California, as the "Dr. William I. 'Bill' Kott Post Office Building." It requires all federal documents, maps, and references to update the building's official name to honor Dr. Kott, a former Anaheim physician and community leader. The change applies immediately to all government records and communications involving the facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 517 Seagaze Drive in Oceanside, California, as the "Charlesetta Reece Allen Post Office Building." It updates all federal references in laws, maps, regulations, and documents to use this new name for the facility. The bill has no policy impact beyond renaming the building and altering official references. It was signed into law on November 25, 2024.