Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton

Maddy summaryThe Organic Imports Verification Act of 2026 requires the USDA to annually test specific imported organic feedstuffs for prohibited substances and report the results to Congress. This law targets bulk-shipped organic feed materials that have official import certificates, creating a confidential list of products subject to risk-based testing protocols developed with other federal agencies. If tests detect prohibited substances above allowed limits, the affected shipments must be removed from the organic market and cannot be sold or labeled as organic. The bill also mandates that annual reports detail testing frequencies, methods, results, and any corrective actions taken based on those findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Encouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Act, requires the Secretary of the Interior to make specific federal recreational lands and waters free of admission fees on designated dates throughout the year. The key provision mandates that these free access days include Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first day of National Park Week, Juneteenth, Great American Outdoors Day, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day. Additionally, the legislation grants the Secretary the authority to establish extra fee-free days beyond those listed. These changes directly affect visitors to national parks and other federal recreational areas by providing them with guaranteed free entry on these holidays and observances.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution directs the President to withdraw all U.S. armed forces from hostilities in Lebanon within seven days of the bill's adoption. It uses the War Powers Resolution to mandate this withdrawal while explicitly allowing continued security cooperation with Lebanese forces and the protection of diplomatic facilities. The measure clarifies that it does not authorize the use of military force, serving as a specific instruction to end active combat operations in the region.

Maddy summaryThe Veterans STAND Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide annual preventative health assessments to veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. These assessments cover risks for health complications, chronic pain management, dietary needs, prosthetic equipment, and access to assistive technologies like spinal cord neuromodulation devices. The VA must consult with medical specialists and device manufacturers when creating guidelines and submit yearly reports to Congress on veterans' use of these services and devices. This policy directly affects veterans with spinal cord injuries by ensuring regular, tailored health evaluations to improve long-term management and independence.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating June 2026 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month and June 27, 2026, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day. It aims to raise public awareness about post-traumatic stress among military members and veterans, reduce associated stigma, and encourage better access to treatment. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of congressional intent to highlight the importance of addressing mental health challenges related to military service.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Bureau of Prisons Medical Care Act of 2026 modifies existing laws to allow the Bureau to charge medical fees to prisoners who cause injuries to others. Specifically, the bill permits the Bureau Director to assess costs for health care visits resulting from injuries inflicted by one prisoner on another, with the fee taken from the account of the person who caused the harm. This change removes previous restrictions that prevented such charges when the injured prisoner met certain exclusion criteria. The legislation directly affects the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the inmates within its custody by establishing a new mechanism for recovering medical expenses related to inmate-on-inmate violence.

Maddy summaryThe Community Schools and Health Equity Act establishes a competitive grant program led by the Department of Education to fund school-based health services in community schools. Eligible recipients, such as local school districts and community partnerships, can use these funds to hire staff like nurses and social workers, provide wraparound support including nutrition and housing assistance, and address social determinants of health. The legislation prioritizes grants for schools serving high numbers of low-income students, English learners, and families in medically underserved areas. To ensure accountability, grantees must annually report on student outcomes and health impacts, while the Education and Health and Human Services Secretaries must coordinate to reduce administrative burdens and share technical assistance.

Maddy summaryThe Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act expands paid family and medical leave benefits for federal workers, including those in the Executive Office of the President, the Postal Service, and the District of Columbia courts. Key provisions increase the standard leave entitlement to 12 weeks plus any accrued annual or sick leave, while also extending coverage to include pregnancy loss, fertility issues, and failed adoptions. The bill specifically adds a new category of leave allowing employees to take time off to address the needs of family members who are victims of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking. To fund this expanded coverage, the legislation requires employees to agree to work for a period equal to the time taken off, with exceptions made for death or serious health conditions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for designating the fourth Sunday in June as "National Learn to Swim Week" to raise awareness about water safety. The bill highlights statistics from the CDC showing that drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury death for children and notes that formal swimming lessons can significantly reduce drowning risks. It emphasizes the need to address disparities in swimming skills across different communities and encourages governments and schools to promote access to swimming lessons and integrate water safety education. While the measure does not create new laws or funding, it serves as a formal statement of intent to encourage action on drowning prevention and aquatic safety.

Maddy summaryThe Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2026 allows nationals of Haiti and their immediate family members who have lived continuously in the United States since June 26, 2024, to apply for permanent resident status. To qualify, applicants must submit their request within three years of the bill's enactment and generally cannot have been convicted of aggravated felonies, multiple crimes of moral turpitude, or acts of persecution. The bill also permits eligible individuals with existing deportation orders to apply without first overturning those orders and grants them work authorization while their applications are pending. Additionally, the legislation ensures that granting permanent residence to these applicants does not reduce the number of available immigrant visas for other categories.