Rep. Delia C. Ramirez

Maddy summaryThe Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025 would expand unemployment insurance eligibility to workers unable to work due to labor disputes, including strikes or lockouts. It sets a 14-day waiting period (or earlier if replacements are hired, a lockout starts, or the dispute ends) before benefits begin, treating these workers as "unemployed" under federal law. The bill also removes the standard requirement for these workers to actively seek other employment to qualify for benefits. This directly affects workers involved in labor disputes, such as those on strike or unable to work due to employer lockouts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans to cover HIV prevention services - including PrEP and PEP drugs, related lab tests, counseling, and monitoring - without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) or prior approval. It applies to private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid/CHIP, and federal employee health plans, directly affecting people who use HIV prevention medications. Key provisions mandate 100% coverage for FDA-approved HIV prevention drugs, eliminate cost-sharing for these services, and prohibit insurers from requiring preauthorization for them. The bill defines covered services to include all necessary components of HIV prevention care as outlined in current public health guidelines.

Maddy summaryHR 5126, the HIV Prevention Now Act, appropriates $2.165 billion for the CDC's National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention for fiscal year 2026. This funding is in addition to existing CDC appropriations and must be used exclusively by that specific center for its programs, with no transfer to other entities. The bill directly affects the CDC's public health operations by providing dedicated resources for prevention and treatment programs targeting HIV, viral hepatitis, STDs, and tuberculosis. It does not create new policies or alter eligibility but ensures sustained funding for existing prevention efforts at the federal level.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading certain investments, including stocks, commodities, and derivatives (referred to as "covered investments"). It requires affected individuals to divest these investments within 90-180 days, with specific exemptions for Treasury bonds, diversified mutual funds, small business interests, and family trusts meeting strict conditions. Violations incur penalties of 10% of the investment's value plus disgorgement of profits, paid directly to the U.S. Treasury. The law applies to all covered individuals during federal service, with exceptions for investments acquired through inheritance or occupational trading (e.g., a spouse’s finance job).

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal courts from excluding potential jurors based on disability or age. It amends jury selection laws to require reasonable accommodations (like sign language interpreters or accessible seating) so people with disabilities can serve if otherwise qualified. The law removes automatic disqualification for "infirmity" and ensures individuals aren't barred from jury service solely due to disability when accommodations could enable participation. It directly affects millions of Americans with disabilities and older adults who may have been previously excluded from federal jury duty. The changes apply specifically to jury service in U.S. district courts.

Maddy summaryHR 5098, the Strengthening Our Workforce Act of 2025, creates a pathway to conditional lawful permanent residency for certain undocumented workers. It directly affects immigrants who have been continuously present in the U.S. since January 1, 2024, without lawful status, or with deferred action (like DACA), and who have worked at least 100 days in one of 24 designated essential professions (e.g., healthcare, agriculture, construction, domestic care, or disaster recovery work). To qualify, applicants must pay a fee, meet employment requirements (100 days annually for two years), and avoid specific criminal inadmissibility grounds (with limited waivers). After two years of conditional status, the residency automatically converts to permanent without visa caps, provided they pay a fee and pass a background check. The bill targets workers in critical sectors to address labor shortages while establishing a defined adjustment process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HJRES 115) terminates a presidential emergency declaration made on August 11, 2025, which claimed a "crime emergency" in Washington, D.C. It directly affects the District of Columbia by ending federal restrictions that prevented D.C. from using $1 billion in locally-raised funds for public safety, law enforcement, fire services, and schools. The resolution cites that the emergency declaration was legally flawed - section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act does not permit federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department - and notes that D.C. violent crime has reached a 30-year low. The bill formally ends the emergency under the DC Home Rule Act, restoring D.C.'s authority over its own budget and public safety resources.

Maddy summaryHR 4959, the "Land of the Free Act of 2025," repeals a specific deportation provision in immigration law. It removes Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(4)(C)), which previously allowed non-citizens to be deported for engaging in "protected speech activities." This change directly affects non-citizens who might have faced deportation under that provision for exercising free speech rights. The bill makes a concrete policy change by eliminating this exception to deportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act to clarify that Social Security benefits (income under Title II of the Social Security Act) are not counted when determining eligibility for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. It directly affects seniors receiving Social Security who rely on SNAP for food assistance, ensuring their Social Security payments do not reduce their SNAP benefits. The key change adds Social Security income to the list of non-countable resources under SNAP rules. The amendment takes effect 90 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHR 4966 prohibits grocery stores from selling items at "grossly excessive prices," defined as 120% or more above the average market price over the previous six months (with exceptions for unavoidable cost increases like supply chain issues). It bans using facial recognition or personal data to set different prices for individual customers (e.g., adjusting prices based on shopping history) and requires clear signage if facial recognition is used. Stores over 10,000 square feet must replace electronic shelf labels with physical price tags. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these rules, allowing consumers to seek $3,000 per violation or actual damages, with penalties for willful violations.