Rep. Chris Pappas

Maddy summaryHR 3063, the Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2023, modifies securities laws to clarify exemptions for certain retirement plans. It expands the definition of exempt retirement plans under the Investment Company Act, Securities Act of 1933, and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to include 403(b) plans used by charities and educational institutions. These plans must meet specific conditions, such as being subject to ERISA or having employers act as fiduciaries for investment choices. The bill directly affects eligible organizations by reducing regulatory barriers for offering retirement benefits to their employees. This change simplifies compliance without altering the core structure of retirement plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the government to partner with scientific experts to regularly assess health impacts of PFAS chemicals (common "forever chemicals" found in water and products) and develop clinical guidance for doctors. Within two years of enactment, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry must complete an initial assessment and clinical recommendations, updating them every five years. The guidance will be posted online and shared with public health officials and healthcare providers to help treat PFAS-related health issues. It directly affects people exposed to PFAS and the medical professionals treating them.

Maddy summaryHR 6600, "Tyler’s Law," requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study how often hospital emergency departments test for fentanyl during overdose cases, along with the costs, benefits, risks, and patient privacy impacts. The study must be completed within one year of the bill’s enactment, followed by guidance issued within six months on whether fentanyl testing should become routine. This guidance will address how hospitals can inform clinicians about testing protocols and how fentanyl testing might affect future overdose risks and patient health outcomes. The bill directly affects hospitals and emergency departments treating overdose patients, focusing on improving data-driven practices for fentanyl detection.

Maddy summaryHR 2988 requires the Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA to formally coordinate their research and development efforts through memoranda of understanding. The bill directs them to collaborate on specific areas like nuclear propulsion systems, quantum computing, environmental science, and data analytics, while ensuring competitive awards follow merit-based processes. It mandates that DOE and NASA share data and infrastructure where practical, and report to Congress within two years on their coordination progress and achievements. This legislation primarily affects DOE and NASA, facilitating joint projects without creating new funding but streamlining existing agency collaboration.

Maddy summaryHR 6579, the Congressional Pension Accountability Act, changes pension rules for members of Congress expelled from office. If a member is expelled, their congressional service is no longer counted toward their pension eligibility or amount under either the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System. The bill requires a refund of the member’s own contributions (minus prior annuity payments) but does not require repayment of pensions already received before expulsion. Additionally, any government contributions to the member’s Thrift Savings Plan during their congressional service would be forfeited. These changes apply only to expulsions occurring after the bill’s enactment date.

Maddy summaryHR 6519, the "No PFAS in Cosmetics Act," prohibits the intentional addition of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to cosmetics sold in the United States. It directly affects cosmetic manufacturers and suppliers who currently use PFAS for functional properties like water resistance. The bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make cosmetics containing intentionally added PFAS "adulterated" and illegal to sell, effective January 1, 2025. It also repeals a prior provision from the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 that had addressed PFAS. This is a substantive regulatory change targeting product ingredients, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Never Again Education program, which funds Holocaust education initiatives in schools. It extends the program's funding authorization period from ending after four fiscal years to continuing annually through fiscal year 2030. The bill modifies the existing law (Public Law 116-141) by updating the funding timeline without changing program requirements or eligibility. It directly affects the existing grant program supporting educational materials and teacher training on the Holocaust. The change ensures continued federal funding for these specific educational efforts until 2030.

Maddy summaryHRES 870 is a symbolic House resolution supporting National Rural Health Day, observed annually on the third Thursday of November. It recognizes rural health care providers and the 60+ million people living in rural communities who face challenges like hospital closures, limited access to care, and health disparities. The resolution expresses commitment to improving rural health care accessibility and affordability but includes no new funding, programs, or policy changes - only a formal acknowledgment of existing efforts. It directly affects rural communities by honoring their health care contributions through a non-binding statement.

Maddy summaryHRES 793 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Hamas to immediately release all 199 hostages taken during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution condemns Hamas for the attack, the taking of hostages, and threats against hostages, while stating that holding hostages violates international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions. It demands the immediate release of all hostages and expresses sympathy for victims and their families. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create legal obligations but formally expresses the House's position.

Maddy summaryHRES 886 is a non-binding House resolution supporting Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) by recognizing the epidemic of violence against transgender people and memorializing those lost in the year ending September 30, 2023. It specifically acknowledges the disproportionate impact of violence on transgender women of color, citing 33 documented deaths in the U.S. during that period (with estimates suggesting the actual number is higher due to underreporting). The resolution calls for Congress to prioritize studying and preventing such violence while affirming that all transgender people deserve dignity and respect. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves to raise awareness and honor victims.