Rep. Delia C. Ramirez

Maddy summaryHR 3498, the Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a commemorative gold medal to honor Henrietta Lacks for her contribution to science through her immortal HeLa cells. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to strike the medal, which will be presented posthumously by Congress and displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. It also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint fund. This is a ceremonial recognition of Lacks' legacy, not a policy change affecting any group or requiring new regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 3473, the Humane Accountability Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to submit detailed reports to Congress about immigration detentions and facility conditions. It mandates specific data on detention numbers, removals, locations (including sensitive sites like schools), and incidents of abuse, medical care, or deaths in custody. The bill also requires advance notice to Congress before using non-traditional detention sites (such as military bases or tribal lands), including justification, capacity, and compliance plans. These reports aim to increase transparency for detainees, their families, and Congress regarding detention practices. The bill directly affects immigration detention facilities, immigrant detainees, and federal agencies managing immigration enforcement.

Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a grant program to support operating projects for public transportation and related service improvements, particularly in underserved communities and areas of persistent poverty. Specifically, the bill requires DOT to allocate funding under the program for urbanized areas, states, and Indian tribes that are recipients of funds under either the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) Urbanized Area Formula Funding program or Formula Grants for Rural Areas program. Eligible recipients may use funding for operating costs associated with projects that improve public transportation service for transit-dependent populations and support increased transit ridership (e.g., service expansion, information technology enhancements, and workforce development). DOT must apportion the funding so that recipients receive funds that are proportional to their share of operating costs. The bill also provides for an increased federal cost share for operating assistance for projects or programs carried out in areas of persistent poverty or underserved communities. DOT must set up a multimodal access measurement interface for public agencies to aid transit agencies in determining and reporting on access to jobs and essential services. A grant recipient must (1) report specific information to the FTA for inclusion in the National Transit Database, and (2) survey transit riders and non-riding residents regarding transit service improvements. Further, the bill expands the purposes of the public transportation programs to include supporting public transportation's role in combating climate change through growing/retaining transit ridership.

Maddy summaryHRES 414 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the U.S. government's moral and legal obligation to provide reparations for the harms of slavery and its lasting impacts on Black Americans. It acknowledges the historical and ongoing effects of chattel slavery, systemic racism, and discriminatory policies on Black communities, including economic disparities, environmental racism, and the criminal justice system. The resolution encourages support for H.R. 40, which would establish a commission to study reparations proposals, and calls for formal acknowledgment of slavery's legacy through congressional apologies. This resolution does not create new legal obligations or provide reparations itself, but serves as a statement of recognition and a call to action for further policy development.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding House resolution recognizes the ongoing Nakba (catastrophe) of Palestinian displacement since 1948 and affirms Palestinian refugees' rights under UN Resolution 194 and international law. It calls for commemorating the Nakba, denouncing current displacement efforts (including home demolitions and settlements), supporting UNRWA services for refugees, and ending U.S. weapons transfers used in forced removals. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new laws or directly affect refugees but aims to shape U.S. diplomatic policy by urging the government to reject denial of the Nakba and halt complicity. The resolution focuses on rhetorical recognition and policy alignment rather than concrete legal changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for hospital units across the country, requiring hospitals to maintain specific staffing levels (such as 1:1 in trauma units, 2:1 in critical care units, and 3:1 in emergency rooms) to improve patient safety and quality of care. Hospitals must develop transparent staffing plans that account for patient acuity, involve direct care nurses in planning, and document actual staffing levels for each shift. The bill includes strong whistleblower protections for nurses who object to unsafe staffing levels and prohibits hospitals from retaliating against nurses who report violations. It requires hospitals to comply with these standards as a condition for receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments, with enforcement through audits and civil penalties of up to $50,000 for repeated violations. The bill also includes provisions to support nurse recruitment and retention through workforce initiatives and training programs.

Maddy summaryHR 3368, the "Born in the USA Act of 2025," prohibits federal funding for Executive Order 14160 (which aimed to restrict birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S.). The bill directly affects federal agencies that might implement the executive order by blocking their use of funds for that purpose. Its key provision is a funding ban targeting the executive order and any similar future policies, without changing citizenship law. The bill does not alter birthright citizenship rights but prevents federal resources from being used to enforce the controversial executive order. It is a procedural measure focused on funding, not a substantive policy change to citizenship rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to prohibit children under 18 from having direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves on farms. It directly affects minors who might work on tobacco farms and tobacco farm employers who currently allow such employment. The key change adds tobacco farming to the list of occupations where children under 18 cannot work, closing a loophole that previously permitted this activity. This update explicitly excludes tobacco-related agriculture from exceptions allowing minors in certain farm jobs under federal law.

Maddy summaryHR 3013 amends U.S. Code to increase annual funding for programs supporting homeless veterans. It extends the funding authorization period through fiscal year 2024 and sets specific amounts: $350 million for 2025, with future years receiving "such sums as may be necessary." This directly affects homeless veterans by securing sustained federal funding for comprehensive service programs. The bill makes no changes to program requirements, only adjusting the authorized funding levels year by year.

Maddy summaryHR 3014 expands the Veterans Affairs Secretary's authority to provide grants to organizations helping homeless veterans. It specifically allows grants to cover assistance in obtaining VA benefits (section 2011(a)(5)) and coordinating other benefits from federal, state, local, or nonprofit sources (section 2011(a)(6)). The bill also updates grant criteria to include converting temporary housing to permanent units. This directly affects homeless veterans and the community nonprofits, shelters, and service providers receiving these grants. The key change is broadening the types of services grant funds can support to better connect veterans with available benefits and housing solutions.