Rep. John Garamendi

Maddy summaryThe Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023 makes several key changes to ocean shipping regulations. It requires the Federal Maritime Commission to collect and publish data on marine terminal operations and equipment dwell times at major ports, and establishes new complaint mechanisms against shipping exchanges for anticompetitive practices. The bill prohibits U.S. port authorities from using Chinese logistics platforms like LOGINK and mandates an independent study of the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. These provisions primarily affect ocean common carriers, port authorities, and shipping exchanges operating in U.S. foreign commerce.

Maddy summaryHR 7770, the Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell three commemorative coins honoring women who worked on the U.S. home front during World War II. It specifies $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), all to be issued between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar), with all surcharge funds directed to the Rosie the Riveter Trust for maintaining the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and educational programs. The coins will feature designs reflecting the legacy of diverse women workers and must meet specific weight, diameter, and composition standards.

Maddy summaryHR 7771 designates March 21 as National Rosie the Riveter Day to honor the over 6 million American women who joined the workforce during World War II. The bill requests the President issue an annual proclamation encouraging all levels of government to observe the day with ceremonies and educational programs. It does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes these women's contributions to the war effort and their legacy of empowerment. This procedural resolution directly affects the President and government entities through ceremonial recognition, not policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 6727 establishes the United States Foundation for International Conservation, a nonprofit organization that will provide grants to support long-term management of protected and conserved areas in eligible countries. The Foundation requires a 2:1 cost match from other sources, demands host country and community consent through binding agreements, and prioritizes areas with high biodiversity or species of significant importance. It will be governed by a Board of Directors including government officials and private sector experts, operate for 10 years with $1 million authorized for 2024 and $100 million annually from 2025-2035, and must follow international conservation standards while prohibiting funding for countries supporting terrorism or violating human rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits owners or operators of non-barge vessels from abandoning them on U.S. navigable waters for more than 45 days. It requires the Coast Guard to notify owners of potentially abandoned vessels, conduct a 45-day review, and impose a $500 penalty for violations. The Coast Guard must create a public inventory of abandoned vessels using geographic data and establish a process for states, tribes, or individuals to report such vessels. Removal costs can be covered by the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund if the Coast Guard confirms abandonment and the action serves the public interest.

Maddy summaryHR 7609, the Biomass for Transportation Fuel Act, enables electricity generated from renewable biomass to count toward renewable fuel requirements for transportation under the Clean Air Act. It requires the EPA to establish rules within 90 days for electric utilities with approved biomass facilities to generate credits (eRINs) when their electricity is used as transportation fuel. The bill sets deadlines for EPA review of facility petitions and registration requests (365 days for complete submissions), mandates public disclosure of review timelines, and creates fee structures with refund provisions if deadlines are missed. This policy change directly affects electric utilities producing renewable biomass electricity who seek to count their output toward federal renewable fuel targets.

Maddy summaryHRES 1079 is a symbolic House resolution condemning Russia's claimed suspension of the New START nuclear arms control treaty, which the U.S. considers legally invalid. It calls on Russia to immediately return to full compliance with New START, including resuming inspections and data sharing, and emphasizes the importance of arms control for global stability. The resolution urges the Biden administration to continue arms control talks with Russia and China to prevent a nuclear arms race. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change U.S. policy but expresses congressional support for maintaining the New START framework, which limits Russia's nuclear arsenal to 1,550 warheads.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCONRES 97) recognizes the gender wage gap, noting that women working full-time earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by men. It highlights racial disparities (e.g., Latinas earn 57 cents, Black women 69 cents) and the economic impact of the gap, including $965 billion in annual lost wages for women. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the issue and reaffirms Congress’s commitment to addressing wage inequality.

Maddy summaryHRES 1074 is a symbolic House resolution reaffirming congressional support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. It explicitly states the House supports Israel's right to exist as a Jewish, democratic state and recognizes Palestinians' right to sovereignty through a separate state. The resolution identifies a two-state solution as the best path to lasting peace and condemns efforts opposing this approach. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law or policy but formally expresses the House's position on this issue. It was introduced by multiple House members on March 12, 2024.

Maddy summaryHRES 1068 is a symbolic House resolution condemning all forms of rape and sexual violence against women globally, both during conflicts and in peacetime. It specifically denounces the weaponization of sexual violence in recent conflicts (including Hamas attacks on Israel, Sudan, Ukraine, and others) and highlights ongoing issues in the U.S. and worldwide. The resolution calls for international action to hold perpetrators accountable and prioritize eliminating gender-based violence in conflict settings. As a non-binding statement, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally expresses congressional disapproval of sexual violence.