Rep. Glenn Ivey

Maddy summaryThe CONTRACTS Act of 2024 aims to increase opportunities for disadvantaged small businesses in federal contracting. The bill creates a public database tracking contract awards to socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, including those owned by HBCU business entities, and requires agencies to report on subcontractor engagement. It establishes a federal task force to coordinate efforts, remove barriers, and recommend policies to improve participation. The legislation also mandates diversity reporting for contractors and modifies subcontracting plans to better include disadvantaged businesses. These provisions directly affect small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, with the goal of increasing their access to federal contracts.

Maddy summaryHR 1719, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023, establishes a presumption that certain cancers diagnosed in public safety officers (like police and firefighters) are work-related if linked to their duties. It defines 22 specific cancers (including lung, mesothelioma, and WTC-related cancers) as "exposure-related," allowing officers or their families to receive benefits without proving direct work connection, provided they were diagnosed within 15 years of leaving active service. The bill also creates a process for adding new cancers to the list based on scientific evidence, requiring the Bureau to review petitions and make decisions within 180 days. This applies to deaths or disabilities occurring on or after January 1, 2023, directly affecting officers who developed covered cancers during service.

Maddy summaryHRES 1499 is a symbolic resolution expressing concern about rising book bans in U.S. schools and libraries, citing PEN America data showing over 10,000 individual book bans in public schools between July 2023 and June 2024 - more than double the previous year. It highlights how bans disproportionately target books featuring LGBTQ+ themes, racial history, and marginalized voices (like *The Handmaid’s Tale*, *Maus*, and *Fry Bread*), while emphasizing students’ First Amendment rights to access diverse materials. The resolution calls on school districts and libraries to follow established best practices for handling book challenges and to protect students’ right to read widely, including works reflecting diverse perspectives. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but urges local education entities to uphold free expression.

Maddy summaryThe PATHS Act extends a pilot program for homeland security technology research and development through 2027, instead of 2024. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to notify Congress and provide a briefing within 72 hours when using contracts involving artificial intelligence technology. The bill also lowers the contract award threshold from $4 million to $1 million under the pilot program, allowing more small-scale projects to participate. This directly affects DHS contractors developing homeland security technologies and aims to increase transparency around AI-related acquisitions.

Maddy summaryHR 3433, the "Give Kids a Chance Act of 2024," requires pharmaceutical companies developing certain cancer drugs to conduct pediatric studies if the drugs target molecular pathways relevant to childhood cancers. It directly affects drug manufacturers submitting new applications for cancer treatments, particularly those combining previously approved adult cancer drugs or containing a single new active ingredient. The bill amends FDA regulations to mandate these pediatric investigations only when specific conditions are met, such as when a drug's molecular target is relevant to pediatric cancer growth. The FDA must issue implementing guidance within 12 months, and reports to Congress will track implementation and effectiveness starting 2 years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to clarify that online predators who send private messages to children about sexual conduct now violate child exploitation laws. It specifically adds that private, one-on-one communications (like direct messages) count as "advertisements" under existing statutes. The change directly affects individuals using private digital channels to target minors for sexual exploitation. This expands the legal definition to cover communications previously potentially excluded from prosecution under current wording.

Maddy summaryHR 9647, the President Jimmy Carter Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes Congress to award a single gold medal to former President Jimmy Carter in recognition of his service. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike the medal, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. It does not create new policies or affect any government programs or individuals beyond this ceremonial honor. The medal is intended to commemorate Carter's presidency, humanitarian work through the Carter Center, and his Nobel Peace Prize. This is a procedural bill with no substantive legislative impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin and place it in the U.S. Capitol. The committee must secure the statue within two years of the bill's enactment and install it in a public-accessible location by January 1, 2026, for viewing during Capitol Visitor Center guided tours. It is a procedural measure with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents or legislation.

Maddy summaryHRES 1447 is a non-binding resolution expressing support for designating the week of September 22-28, 2024, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week." It directly honors families who lost loved ones while serving in the U.S. military (referred to as "Gold Star Families") and families of veterans. The resolution encourages Americans to observe the week by performing community service and celebrating the sacrifices of fallen service members, without creating new laws or obligations. It aligns with existing recognition of Gold Star Mother’s Day (the last Sunday in September) but expands the focus to all affected families.

Maddy summaryThe National STEM Week Act designates an annual National STEM Week to promote science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. It directs a federal committee to coordinate activities encouraging schools, families, and STEM industry partners to host events like student mentorship programs and home-based learning. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on participation rates and the impact of these activities on improving STEM engagement. It directly affects educational institutions (from elementary to college), students, families, and STEM businesses across all 50 states and territories.