Rep. Adriano Espaillat

Maddy summaryHR 2997 authorizes $4 billion annually for fiscal years 2026-2027 to fund the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a UN-backed institution supporting climate projects in developing countries. The bill requires all funded projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or help communities adapt to climate impacts while prioritizing vulnerable groups, including communities of color, indigenous peoples, and low-income areas. It mandates that projects must incorporate gender equality, respect human rights, and obtain community consent before implementation. This authorization increases U.S. contributions to the GCF, which has received only $2 billion despite a $3 billion pledge, to fulfill international climate finance commitments.

Maddy summaryHR 2998, the Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act, prohibits most exports of used electronics (e-waste) like computers, servers, phones, and TVs, except for specific exempted categories. It directly affects businesses exporting used electronics by requiring them to register with the Commerce Secretary, file detailed export information (including consignee details and proof of item condition), and verify that recipients have proper permits for reuse or recycling. Key provisions include banning exports of most e-waste, allowing exemptions only for tested functional devices, destroyed counterfeits, and manufacturer-repaired recalled items, and imposing penalties matching existing export control violations. The bill aims to prevent e-waste from being mislabeled as legitimate exports or ending up as counterfeit goods abroad.

Maddy summaryHRES 341 is a symbolic House resolution expressing support for Earth Day, not a substantive bill. It urges the President to issue an Earth Day proclamation, encourages Americans to address environmental challenges (like climate change and litter), and calls for rejoining the Paris Agreement - though these are non-binding recommendations with no legal force. The resolution references historical environmental legislation (like the Clean Air Act) but does not create new policies, allocate funds, or change regulations. It directly affects no specific group, as it solely serves to affirm environmental values through symbolic recognition. (Note: The document header incorrectly lists "Federal Water Pollution Control Act" as the bill text, but this is a formatting error; the actual resolution is about Earth Day.)

Maddy summaryHR 2974 amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by adding a specific exclusion for income earned through certain employment and training programs. It directly affects SNAP households where members participate in programs like vocational rehabilitation (under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), refugee employment initiatives (under immigration law), or other defined training programs. The key change removes the requirement to count income from allowances, earnings, or payments received in these specific programs when determining SNAP eligibility. This adjustment means participants in these programs will have that income excluded from their household's calculation, potentially increasing their SNAP benefits. The bill modifies existing SNAP rules without creating new programs or changing benefit levels.

Hot Foods Act of 2025 This bill expands the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to permit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption.

Maddy summaryHR 2185, the Mink VIRUS Act, prohibits fur farming of mink in the U.S. beginning one year after enactment (Section 2(a)). It requires painless mink termination methods meeting federal euthanasia standards and AVMA guidelines (Section 2(b)), with civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The bill establishes a USDA payment program (Section 3) to compensate fur farm owners for compliance costs and the market value of their mink operations (valued as of the day before enactment), subject to restrictions on fund use and permanent land easements banning future fur farming. The law directly affects mink fur farm owners and operators, ending commercial mink farming while providing financial transition support.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCONRES 26) expresses Congress's condemnation of the lack of accountability for Serbian sexual war crimes committed against Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman, a U.S. citizen raped by Serbian forces during the 1999 Kosovo war. It specifically references her case - where perpetrators were acquitted and later released despite multiple legal appeals - amid reports that only one perpetrator has been convicted of such crimes out of approximately 20,000 victims. The resolution calls on Kosovo to prioritize prosecuting 1999 war rape cases, urges Serbia to investigate and extradite perpetrators, and directs the U.S. government to elevate Goodman’s case in diplomatic engagements and support rehabilitation efforts. As a non-binding resolution, it formally urges action but does not create new legal obligations.

Maddy summaryHRES 326 is a non-binding resolution designating April 10 as "Dolores Huerta Day" to honor the late labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta. It recognizes her foundational work co-founding the United Farm Workers, leading grape boycotts that secured union contracts, advocating for farm workers' safety, and championing women's rights and Latino political representation. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on any group, as it solely serves to commemorate Huerta's legacy. It was introduced by multiple House members in recognition of her contributions to civil rights and equality.

Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment Act or the WISE Act This bill expands eligibility for U nonimmigrant visas (victims of criminal activity) and prohibits immigration enforcement activities in specified areas. Generally, U visas are for victims of specified crimes (e.g., rape, trafficking, or domestic violence) who assist with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. The bill adds hate crimes, child abuse, and elder abuse as crimes that may qualify a victim for a U visa and removes criteria related to the victim's assistance with the investigation or prosecution of the crime.   Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must provide work authorization to U visa applicants, whereas currently DHS may grant work authorization but is not required to do so. The bill also eliminates the annual numerical cap on U visas.  The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that certain individuals, including U visa applicants and T visa (victims of human trafficking) applicants, shall not be detained while the application is pending. Additionally, the bill provides immigration-related protections, such as by extending the admission period and providing work authorization, to the spouse or child of a nonimmigrant visa holder who subjected that spouse or child to battery or extreme cruelty. Further, the bill prohibits, with some exceptions for exigent circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection from conducting immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a school, health care facility, place of worship, or other location specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryHR 2888, the "Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act," terminates specific executive orders imposing tariffs (EOs 14257, 14193, and 14194) and requires congressional approval for new tariffs or trade restrictions. It directly affects the President, who can no longer unilaterally impose or increase tariffs without Congress passing a joint resolution approving the action. Key mechanisms include mandating a formal joint resolution process for tariff decisions (with limited exceptions for existing antidumping duties and trade agreements) and applying expedited congressional procedures. This bill shifts authority from the executive branch to Congress for major trade policy changes.