Rep. Kathy Castor

Maddy summaryThis non-binding House resolution expresses the House's support for keeping guns out of schools by stating federal funds should not be used to arm school personnel or provide them firearm training. It references existing laws like the STOP School Violence Act (2018) and research showing arming staff does not improve safety, citing data on failed interventions and disproportionate impacts on students of color. The resolution affirms current policy guidance without creating new legal requirements. It serves as a formal statement of the House's position based on evidence and existing legislative frameworks.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently removes a 2026 expiration date for a tax exclusion allowing employers to pay employees' student loans through educational assistance programs without those payments being counted as taxable income. It directly affects employees who receive employer-sponsored student loan repayment assistance and employers offering such programs. The key provision amends the Internal Revenue Code to make this tax exclusion permanent, applying to all future payments made after the bill's enactment. This change simplifies the tax treatment for both employers and employees participating in these student loan repayment programs.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 193 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate legal immunity for federal officials, including the President, from criminal prosecution for actions taken while performing official duties. It also prohibits the President from granting a pardon to themselves. The amendment would apply to all federal officers (such as the President, Vice President, and members of Congress) except for Congress members acting in their legislative role as defined in the Constitution. If ratified by 38 states, this change would become part of the U.S. Constitution, requiring no further congressional action.

Maddy summaryHR 9118 would cancel all federal oil and gas leases held by companies found by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to have coordinated with OPEC or OPEC+ countries to manipulate oil or gas prices in violation of federal antitrust laws. If the FTC issues a final order confirming such violations, the Secretary of the Interior must automatically cancel those leases and prohibit the company from bidding on new federal leases. The bill directly affects oil and gas companies that violate antitrust laws through market manipulation with OPEC nations. It creates a direct mechanism for lease cancellation based on FTC findings, without requiring new legislation for each case.

Maddy summaryHRES 1375 is a non-binding resolution recognizing extreme weather as a critical threat to children's health and well-being, emphasizing that children face unique vulnerabilities due to their developing bodies, higher exposure to pollutants, and heightened risks during events like heatwaves, wildfires, and poor air quality. It expresses Congress's view that solutions must be developed and deployed rapidly and equitably, with specific attention to children's physical and mental health needs. The resolution suggests concrete measures such as improved air filtration in schools, accessible public alerts for extreme heat, expanded cooling centers, and better infrastructure for child-friendly emergency spaces, though it does not create new laws or mandates.

Maddy summaryThe BRAIN Act (HR 9113) establishes new research networks and funding mechanisms to advance brain tumor treatment and care. It requires the NIH to create a searchable database of brain tumor biospecimens, authorizes $50 million annually for a Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network, and allocates $10 million yearly for CAR-T cell therapy research. The bill also mandates a national awareness campaign about clinical trials and biomarker testing, and funds pilot programs to improve long-term care for brain tumor survivors. These provisions directly affect researchers, patients, healthcare providers, and survivors, with funding allocated for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Maddy summaryHR 9104, the Access to Birth Control Act, requires pharmacies that normally stock contraception to provide birth control or related medications without delay if in stock, or immediately offer alternatives like referrals to other pharmacies or expedited orders if unavailable. It prohibits pharmacists from intimidating customers, misrepresenting availability, breaching confidentiality, or refusing to fill valid prescriptions for birth control. Pharmacies violating these rules face civil penalties up to $1,000 per day or private lawsuits. The law specifically applies to pharmacies that routinely carry contraception and excludes cases where a valid prescription is missing or payment cannot be made. It aims to address documented refusals to dispense birth control, particularly following the Dobbs decision.

Maddy summaryHR 4581, the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024, amends Title V of the Social Security Act to explicitly allow federal funds to support stillbirth prevention efforts. The bill directs states receiving Title V maternal and child health funds to use these resources for evidence-based programs and research aimed at reducing stillbirths, including tracking fetal movements, screening for growth issues, smoking cessation, and community support. It directly affects state maternal health programs by clarifying that existing funding can now cover specific stillbirth prevention activities previously not explicitly permitted. The law changes how Title V funds may be spent, adding clear provisions for research and programs targeting stillbirth reduction. This is a policy change that updates funding guidelines without creating new programs or mandates.

Maddy summaryHRES 1332 is a symbolic resolution recognizing June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It encourages the celebration of Pride Month to honor the historical struggles and achievements of LGBTQIA+ people in the United States, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face. This resolution does not create new laws or policies, but serves as a formal recognition of LGBTQIA+ rights as human rights and highlights their integral role in American history. The resolution was introduced by multiple members of Congress and passed by the House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThe CHARTER Act prohibits charter schools receiving federal education funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from contracting with for-profit entities to manage school operations - including curriculum, budgets, or staff decisions. It directly affects public charter schools and their charter management organizations that receive these federal funds. The bill allows contracts with for-profits for specific services like food, payroll, or facilities maintenance but bans profit-driven management arrangements. The law takes effect 3 years after enactment and applies only to new or renewed contracts after that date, closing a loophole identified in a 2006 court case where for-profit schools reorganized as nonprofits to retain federal funding.