Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Maddy summaryThe Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution (HRES 23) would allow U.S. House Members who have given birth or whose spouse has given birth to appoint another Member as a proxy to cast their vote or record their presence in the House and committees for up to 12 weeks after childbirth. To use this, the new parent must submit a signed letter to the Clerk detailing the birth or medical condition and naming the proxy; the proxy must vote exactly as instructed and announce the vote as "by proxy." The proxy vote does not count toward quorum, and the new parent can revoke the proxy at any time by submitting a new letter or casting their own vote. This resolution applies to all House Members, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, though they cannot cast votes for the House itself.

This resolution honors the life, achievements, legacy, and distinguished public service of former President Jimmy Carter. The resolution also (1) acknowledges President Carter's contributions to the state of Georgia, the United States, and the world; and (2) establishes his legacy as one of the great leaders and statesmen of the United States.

Maddy summaryThe REVOCAR Act of 2025 prohibits U.S. persons (including citizens, companies, and individuals in the U.S.) from investing in or conducting business with Venezuela's energy sector - specifically targeting Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) and the Maduro regime - until the regime publicly recognizes the results of Venezuela's July 28, 2024, presidential election. The bill bars transactions involving energy sector goods, services, or finance and requires the Treasury Secretary to implement it using existing sanctions authorities. Prohibitions end automatically by December 31, 2027, or sooner if the President certifies Maduro has accepted the election outcome. The President may grant limited 90-day waivers for national security reasons, but must submit detailed reports to Congress explaining the rationale and impact on Venezuela's democratic transition.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 290 NW Peacock Boulevard in Port St. Lucie, Florida, as the "Trooper Zachary Fink Post Office Building." It updates all official U.S. government references (including laws, maps, and documents) to use this new name for the facility. The bill directly affects the postal facility and any federal records mentioning its location. As a naming resolution, it has no policy or funding provisions beyond the official designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases healthcare affordability for low- and middle-income people by expanding eligibility for premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. It removes the previous 400% of poverty level cap for subsidy eligibility and replaces it with a new sliding scale based on income tiers, ranging from 0% to 8.5% of household income for coverage costs. The scale adjusts linearly across income levels, with households earning 300-400% of poverty paying 6.0%-8.5% of income (up from the prior fixed 400% cap), while lower-income households pay progressively less. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly affecting individuals purchasing health insurance through marketplace plans.

Maddy summaryHR 268, the STOP MADURO Act, increases the maximum reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro Moros from $5 million to $100 million under the State Department's rewards program. The bill authorizes this reward using assets already frozen from Maduro and his regime under existing U.S. sanctions, including those from the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and multiple executive orders. It directly affects Maduro and his regime officials by offering a significantly larger financial incentive for their arrest. The key mechanism is redirecting funds from previously seized assets to fund the enhanced reward, with no new appropriations required. This is a procedural change to the rewards program, not a new sanction.

Maddy summaryHR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, repeals two provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for certain government workers. It eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which cuts spousal or survivor benefits for people with pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security (like federal or state government roles), and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which lowers retirement benefits for those with similar pensions. The law takes effect for benefits paid after December 2023, requiring the Social Security Administration to adjust benefit calculations to remove these reductions. This change directly affects public-sector employees who previously had their Social Security benefits reduced due to their government pensions.

Maddy summaryThe Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act designates Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, as a National Commemorative Site, making it part of the African American Civil Rights Network. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study within two years to evaluate the site's national significance and preservation options, without designating it as a unit of the National Park System. This designation does not affect private property rights, local zoning, or current site management by its owners.

Maddy summaryHR 40 would establish a 15-member commission to study the legacy of slavery and systemic discrimination against African Americans in the United States, and develop proposals for reparations. The commission would examine historical and ongoing effects of slavery, discriminatory policies (including redlining and educational disparities), and recommend remedies through education and potential reparations. Composed of members appointed by the President, House Speaker, and Senate President pro tempore, the commission would have 18 months to submit a report to Congress, with $20 million authorized for its work. This legislation creates a study process but does not provide reparations directly.

Maddy summaryThe Manatee Protection Act of 2025 would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to officially list the West Indian manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This designation would subject the manatee to all federal protections and regulations, including restrictions on activities harming the animals or their critical habitat. The bill directly affects the manatee population and activities in their environment, such as boating, coastal development, and waterway management, which would now require federal permits to avoid harming the species. It mandates a formal listing under existing law rather than creating new protections, ensuring the manatee is legally recognized as endangered for conservation enforcement.