Rep. Nellie Pou

Maddy summaryThe Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2025 requires U.S. colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to create and distribute clear anti-harassment policies covering harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, or religion. These policies must explicitly prohibit harassment in all settings - including online, on campus, off-campus housing, and during school-sponsored activities - and outline reporting procedures and support services for victims. The bill also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund schools developing prevention programs, victim support services, or staff/student training on recognizing and addressing harassment. Grants are competitive, require annual reporting on effectiveness, and must be used to improve existing efforts without replacing existing civil rights laws like Title IX.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal funding for state and tribal wetlands programs under the Clean Water Act. It authorizes $300 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030 (up from $75 million previously), with at least $100 million each year specifically dedicated to state, tribal, and municipal wetlands protection, management, and restoration programs. Additionally, it allocates $500 million annually for state management assistance starting in 2026. The bill directly affects states, tribes, and municipalities by providing new funding streams for wetlands initiatives.

Maddy summaryHRES 733 is a symbolic resolution designating the week of September 20-27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week." It expresses congressional support for raising public awareness about the economic and ecological importance of coastal estuaries, which support millions of jobs, generate significant economic output, and provide critical services like flood protection and habitat for fish and wildlife. The resolution acknowledges estuaries' role in sustaining employment, economic growth, and environmental health without creating new policies or funding. It directly affects the public, government officials, and conservation organizations by highlighting estuaries' value through a designated awareness week.

Maddy summaryHRES 724 is a symbolic House resolution commemorating the eighth anniversary of Hurricane Maria’s 2017 devastation of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It honors victims and survivors while urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expedite disbursement of recovery funds and calling for Congress to prioritize resilient infrastructure investments in these territories. The resolution highlights ongoing challenges like power grid fragility, healthcare access gaps, and bureaucratic delays in federal aid - despite $23.4 billion in FEMA assistance and $20 billion in HUD disaster funds already allocated. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal recognition of the storm’s lasting impacts and a call for continued support.

Maddy summaryHR 5428 creates a federal grant program to support medical education for students planning to work in underserved areas. It provides $75 million annually (2026-2028) to accredited public medical schools in states with severe primary care physician shortages, prioritizing schools in states with multiple Indian Tribes and partnerships with tribal organizations or health centers. Grantees must use funds for community-based training, developing primary care programs emphasizing Tribal/rural underserved communities, faculty development, scholarships, and tracking graduates' practice locations. The bill directly affects medical schools and future physicians committed to serving Tribal, rural, or medically underserved communities after residency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline to establish a dedicated "Press 3" option (via IVR) for LGBTQ+ youth seeking crisis support, directly affecting LGBTQ+ youth who face a four times higher suicide risk than peers. It mandates that at least 9% of funds allocated for the lifeline's services be reserved specifically for these specialized LGBTQ+ youth services. The bill amends existing law to formalize this dedicated resource, building on current services that handled over 1.5 million contacts from LGBTQ+ youth in 2025. This creates a concrete policy change for accessing tailored crisis support without altering other lifeline operations.

Maddy summaryThe FAMILY Act would establish a national paid family and medical leave insurance program that provides wage replacement benefits for workers needing time off for caregiving or medical reasons. It defines "qualified caregiving" to include caring for a family member with a serious health condition, personal medical needs, or recovery from violence (including domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking). Benefits would be calculated based on earnings, with a minimum monthly benefit of $580 and maximum of $4,000, administered by a new Office of Paid Family and Medical Leave within the Social Security Administration. Eligible individuals would need to have worked for at least 8 quarters in the previous year and file an application with required documentation, while existing state paid leave programs would continue to operate alongside this federal program.

Maddy summaryHR 1107, the *Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025*, allows Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health professionals to prescribe and dispense medications regulated under federal law (like opioids or stimulants) via telemedicine without requiring an in-person medical exam first. This directly affects veterans receiving VA care and VA-employed health professionals who provide telemedicine services. The bill requires providers to hold a valid state license, act within their professional scope, and ensure prescriptions serve a legitimate medical purpose. It does not change existing federal drug laws but streamlines access to controlled medications for veterans through telehealth, particularly benefiting those in rural or remote areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish September 11 as a permanent legal public holiday for federal employees and agencies. It amends Title 5 of the U.S. Code to add "September 11 Day of Remembrance" to the list of designated federal holidays, following Labor Day. The change would require federal offices to close on September 11 each year, directly affecting federal workers and government operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a reciprocity requirement for U.S. nonimmigrant visa status for Peruvian nationals. It specifies that Peru must offer similar nonimmigrant visa options to U.S. citizens before U.S. authorities can extend those same visa categories to Peruvians. The provision directly affects U.S. citizens seeking business or investment visas in Peru and Peruvian nationals applying for U.S. business/investment visas. It modifies existing immigration law by making U.S. visa eligibility for Peruvians contingent on Peru providing equivalent status to Americans. The bill does not create new benefits but sets a condition for existing visa categories.