Rep. Ami Bera

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHRES 936 is a symbolic resolution commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Magnuson Act of 1943, which repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. It honors the contributions of Chinese Americans and acknowledges the historical injustice of laws that excluded Chinese immigrants and denied them citizenship. The resolution celebrates Chinese American communities and reaffirms commitment to equal civil rights for all, regardless of race. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new laws or alter policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the Biden administration to facilitate the safe, timely, and sufficient delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. It specifically calls for expanding aid convoys, opening additional border crossings, providing fuel to aid organizations, establishing safe shelters, and renewing humanitarian pauses to address the severe crisis. The resolution directly affects civilians in Gaza, where infrastructure damage, contaminated water, and shortages of medical supplies have created a dire humanitarian situation. It does not create new laws but expresses Congress's position on improving aid access.

Maddy summaryHR 6694, the 7 October Hamas Attack Evaluation and Intelligence Sharing Act, requires U.S. intelligence agencies to produce a report within 30 days on Hamas's training, weapons, and foreign support for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The bill also mandates two reviews: one on whether increased intelligence sharing with Israel about Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran improves U.S. and allied security, and another on how such sharing can reduce civilian harm and aid in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Additionally, it directs the Defense Department's Inspector General to assess whether policies to minimize civilian harm are being followed in intelligence sharing with Israel. All findings must be submitted to relevant congressional committees within the specified deadlines.

Maddy summaryThe Clean Competition Act establishes a carbon intensity charge on covered primary goods produced domestically or imported into the United States, affecting companies in specific industries including petroleum refining, steel, cement, and chemical manufacturing. The charge is calculated based on a facility's carbon intensity (greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production) compared to industry averages, with the charge amount determined by how much a facility's carbon intensity exceeds a percentage of the industry average. Domestic producers and importers of covered primary goods will pay charges calculated using an annual carbon price that increases with inflation, with exemptions for goods from least developed countries that produce at least 3% of global exports of that good. The bill also includes a rebate program for exports of covered primary goods and establishes a grant program to help companies invest in technologies that reduce carbon intensity.

Maddy summaryHR 6592, the Fight Book Bans Act, provides federal grants to reimburse public school districts for legal costs when they choose to keep instructional or library materials after parental objections. It directly affects school districts (covered local educational agencies) that select materials for students and handle challenges to their removal. The bill authorizes up to $100,000 per case in grants to cover attorney fees and court costs, provided the district didn’t remove the materials and wasn’t reimbursed by the state. Funding of $15 million is authorized for fiscal years 2024-2028. The grants are strictly for legal challenges to decisions not to remove materials, not for the content of the materials themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill targets U.S. business activities that could help specific countries of concern (North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran) develop critical technologies. It requires the President to identify "covered sectors" (including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, hypersonics, and high-performance computing) and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in certain activities involving these technologies with entities in countries of concern. The bill also mandates that U.S. persons submit notifications about certain activities involving these technologies, with requirements for public comment and transparency. It establishes reporting requirements for the President to Congress on implementation and impact, and includes provisions for national interest waivers.

Maddy summaryHRES 895 is a resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on November 28, 2023, that condemns statements by some members of Congress calling for the expulsion of Palestinians from the United States. The resolution states such rhetoric is un-American, bigoted, and dangerous because it unfairly conflates Palestinians with Hamas and ignores the U.S. history of welcoming immigrants of all backgrounds. It specifically references H.R. 6211 (introduced November 2, 2023) as an example of harmful rhetoric. This resolution has no legal effect - it is a symbolic statement expressing the House's position.

Maddy summaryHRES 793 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Hamas to immediately release all 199 hostages taken during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution condemns Hamas for the attack, the taking of hostages, and threats against hostages, while stating that holding hostages violates international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions. It demands the immediate release of all hostages and expresses sympathy for victims and their families. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create legal obligations but formally expresses the House's position.

Maddy summaryHR 6451, the Mental Health Justice Act of 2023, provides $250 million in federal grants to states, tribes, and localities to hire mental health professionals as first responders for specific emergencies. It directs these professionals to replace police in situations involving mental health crises, substance use, or intellectual/developmental disabilities - such as when a 911 caller describes a mental health emergency or a first responder identifies someone needing mental health support. The bill requires grantees to train responders in de-escalation techniques, link individuals to community-based services (not incarceration), and report on outcomes like reduced arrests or use of force. It also mandates data collection on demographics and prevents funneling people into institutional settings, with annual reports to Congress on program effectiveness.