Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Maddy summaryHR 6451, the Mental Health Justice Act of 2023, provides $250 million in federal grants to states, tribes, and localities to hire mental health professionals as first responders for specific emergencies. It directs these professionals to replace police in situations involving mental health crises, substance use, or intellectual/developmental disabilities - such as when a 911 caller describes a mental health emergency or a first responder identifies someone needing mental health support. The bill requires grantees to train responders in de-escalation techniques, link individuals to community-based services (not incarceration), and report on outcomes like reduced arrests or use of force. It also mandates data collection on demographics and prevents funneling people into institutional settings, with annual reports to Congress on program effectiveness.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 102 would block a specific U.S. defense export to Israel by prohibiting the issuance of a license for "Spice Family Gliding Bomb Assemblies" along with related technical data and defense services. The bill targets a proposed transfer certified to Congress on October 31, 2023, intended for use by Israel's Ministry of Defense. This resolution directly prevents the export without requiring additional congressional action beyond passing the bill. It affects the U.S. government's ability to issue the export license and Israel's access to these defense articles.

Maddy summaryThe SMOKE Act establishes new federal workplace safety standards to protect employees from wildfire smoke exposure. It requires employers to monitor PM2.5 air quality (AQI ≥151), implement engineering controls (like filtered buildings), provide respirators, and communicate risks when smoke levels are hazardous. Employees at risk of health harm from smoke can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year, with job protection upon return. The law excludes emergency responders and workplaces with certified filtered air systems (e.g., closed vehicles or buildings with filtered ventilation). OSHA must finalize these standards within 42 months of enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 5976, the Youth Mental Health Research Act, establishes a new NIH research initiative led by the National Institute of Mental Health. The bill directs collaboration between three NIH institutes to coordinate research on youth mental health, focusing specifically on building community resilience for at-risk youth and improving how mental health services reach young people in schools, communities, and other settings where they live and work. It authorizes $100 million annually for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to fund this research. The bill does not create direct services but aims to generate evidence to inform future mental health support strategies for young people.

Maddy summaryHR 6191, the Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act, imposes a new tax on large corporations with significant pay gaps between top executives and typical workers. It targets companies with at least $100 million in annual revenue (adjusted for inflation) and over $10 million in annual wages paid to employees. The tax equals 1% of either the calculated pay disparity (CEO pay over 5 years divided by median worker pay, minus 50) multiplied by the excess pay, or the company’s gross receipts. This applies to taxable years starting after the bill’s enactment, aiming to tax excessive CEO compensation relative to average worker pay.

Maddy summaryThe Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act prohibits federal funding for school police officers and establishes a $5 billion grant program to help schools replace law enforcement with mental health professionals like counselors, social workers, and psychologists. The bill directly affects schools serving marginalized students, particularly Black, Native American, Latino, and LGBTQI+ students, who disproportionately face school discipline and police involvement. Key provisions require schools to terminate police contracts within 30 days of receiving funds and use the money for trauma-informed services, restorative justice programs, and anti-bias training. The bill also prohibits using funds for surveillance technology, punitive discipline policies, or arming school staff, while requiring schools to report on disciplinary practices and demographic data. This legislation aims to address racial disparities in school discipline and shift school safety toward supportive, evidence-based approaches rather than criminalization.

Maddy summaryHRES 832 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as an annual cultural observance in the U.S. and globally. It acknowledges the holiday's origins in Mesoamerican traditions, its significance in honoring deceased loved ones through altars (*ofrendas*), and its role in celebrating Latino cultural heritage. The resolution specifically highlights the contributions of Mexican and Mexican American communities to U.S. society and culture, without creating new laws or obligations. It is a ceremonial gesture by Congress, not a policy with concrete effects on individuals or communities.

Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act  This bill requires issuers of securities to disclose regularly information related to claims of discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), or national origin; discrimination because of age; discrimination on the basis of disability; discrimination because of genetic information; discrimination on the basis of status concerning service in a uniformed service; sexual harassment; and sexual assault or abuse. In investigating claims of discrimination or harassment, an issuer must hire an independent, third-party law firm agreed to by all parties involved. Issuers must implement discrimination and harassment training programs for employees, conduct an annual survey of employees to determine whether employees feel safe, and establish an anonymous whistleblower tip line.

Maddy summaryHR 5983, the Clean Water Act of 2023, redefines "protected water resources" under federal law to explicitly include all interstate and intrastate waters (such as intermittent and ephemeral streams), wetlands, and their tributaries. This directly affects federal agencies like the EPA, states managing water quality, and developers or landowners needing permits for activities near these waters. The bill eliminates the Supreme Court’s narrow "navigable waters" definition from Sackett v. EPA (2023), restoring protections for tens of millions of acres of wetlands and millions of miles of small streams. Key mechanisms require the EPA to annually review and adjust exclusions from protections based on scientific evidence, ensuring water bodies critical to drinking water, flood control, and ecosystems remain safeguarded.

Maddy summaryHRES 819 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the 5-year anniversary of the October 27, 2018, antisemitic attack at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue, which killed 11 people. It condemns antisemitism and references rising hate incidents, including the Anti-Defamation League’s 2022 report of record antisemitic activity (3,697 incidents). The resolution honors the victims, expresses solidarity with affected Jewish communities, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combatting hate and protecting religious freedom. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it has no binding effect but serves as a formal statement of congressional stance.