Rep. Analilia Mejia

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal right to access contraception, protecting individuals' ability to obtain contraceptives and health care providers' ability to offer them without government interference. It prohibits states from banning or restricting contraceptive services, products, or information, including laws that force providers to deny care based on personal beliefs or limit access to specific methods. The law immediately overrides conflicting state regulations and ensures that contraception remains available regardless of factors like race, income, disability, or location. It applies to all individuals and providers, building on existing federal protections like the Affordable Care Act's coverage requirements.

National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act or the NO BAN Act This bill imposes limitations on the President's authority to suspend or restrict aliens from entering the United States. It also prohibits religious discrimination in various immigration-related decisions, such as whether to issue an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa, unless there is a statutory basis for such discrimination. The President may temporarily restrict the entry of any aliens or class of aliens after the Department of State determines that the restriction would address specific and credible facts that threaten U.S. interests such as public safety. The bill also imposes limitations on such restrictions, such as requiring the President, State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to (1) only issue a restriction when required to address a compelling government interest, and (2) narrowly tailor the suspension to use the least restrictive means to achieve such an interest. Before imposing a restriction, the State Department and DHS shall consult with Congress. The State Department and DHS shall report to Congress about the restriction within 48 hours of the restriction's imposition. If such a report is not made, the restriction shall immediately terminate. Individuals or entities present in the United States and unlawfully harmed by such a restriction may sue in federal court. The bill transfers the authority to suspend the entry of aliens traveling to the United States on a commercial airline that failed to comply with regulations related to detecting fraudulent travel documents from the Department of Justice to DHS.

Maddy summaryHR 944, the Access to Counsel Act, requires U.S. immigration officials to provide certain immigrants a meaningful opportunity to consult with legal counsel during key immigration processes. It directly affects U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents returning from travel, visa holders, refugees, asylees, and parolees subject to secondary or deferred inspection at ports of entry. The bill mandates that officials ensure access to counsel (including via phone) within one hour of inspection starting, allow counsel to present evidence, and accommodate in-person meetings when possible. It also requires officials to provide counsel access before accepting Form I-407 abandonment forms from lawful permanent residents, unless waived in writing. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment and preserves existing rights to counsel under other immigration laws.

Maddy summaryHR 768, the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act, requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Director to study how states and school districts currently teach about the Holocaust and antisemitism in K-12 schools. The study will examine curriculum requirements, teacher training, educational materials used, and assessment methods across all states and a representative sample of school districts and schools. It specifically aims to identify gaps, resources needed, and how schools address antisemitism and genocide prevention in their teaching. The Museum must submit a report to Congress within three years of the bill's enactment, detailing findings on current practices and challenges. This bill does not mandate new teaching requirements but seeks to understand existing approaches to Holocaust education.

Maddy summaryHR 738, the Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act of 2025, would require all states to allow any voter to request and cast a mail-in ballot for federal elections without needing to provide a reason, directly affecting all voters in states holding federal elections. The bill prohibits states from adding extra conditions beyond ballot request and return deadlines, and mandates that election officials must notify voters of signature discrepancies or missing information within one business day, giving them three days to correct errors before ballots are rejected. It explicitly preserves states' ability to maintain in-person polling places and applies to federal elections starting in 2026. The bill cites findings that universal mail-in voting increases participation, reduces poll wait times, and has no proven fraud risk, while eliminating requirements for personal justification or notarization.

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.

Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States. The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits. The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives. The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services.  The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.