Rep. Ritchie Torres

Maddy summaryHR 542, the No Foreign Gifts Act of 2025, prohibits institutions of higher education receiving federal funds under the Higher Education Act from accepting gifts from specific countries. It bans gifts from China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran, and from any country providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization (as defined by the State Department). Affected institutions must report any such gift offers to the Secretary of Education to maintain eligibility for federal funding. The bill aims to prevent foreign influence over U.S. educational institutions through financial gifts.

Maddy summaryHR 541 requires the U.S. Department of Defense to share best practices and provide training to state and local first responders (such as police, firefighters, and EMTs) on effectively aiding victims with trauma-related injuries. The bill directly affects first responders who handle emergency medical situations involving trauma. Its key mechanism mandates the Department of Defense to develop and deliver this training program. The goal is to improve on-the-ground support for trauma victims during emergencies, without altering existing medical protocols or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 544 creates a new federal civil lawsuit pathway allowing individuals injured or families of those killed by ghost guns to sue the maker of any component or anyone who facilitated the sale. It directly affects victims, their families, and states/political subdivisions where the injury occurred, targeting manufacturers and sellers of unserialized firearms (defined as ghost guns lacking required serial numbers). The bill establishes a private right of action in U.S. district court for damages, including consequential losses, while including limited defenses for self-defense or police actions responding to imminent threats. This policy change modifies civil liability for ghost gun-related harm without altering criminal law or gun ownership rights.

Maddy summaryHR 485, the Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes Congress to award a gold medal in recognition of Muhammad Ali's lifetime contributions to sports, civil rights, and humanitarian causes. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to strike the medal and present it to Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali, following his death in 2016. It also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This is a commemorative measure with no policy impact, solely honoring Ali's legacy through a symbolic medal.

Maddy summaryHR 545 requires the Attorney General to study how effectively extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) reduce gun violence. The study must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment and conducted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. This bill does not change existing laws or impose new requirements on individuals; it only directs a federal study on ERPOs, which are court-ordered temporary firearm removals for high-risk individuals. The summary focuses solely on the bill's procedural mandate, not on policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHR 486, the Young Americans Financial Literacy Act, authorizes $27.5 million to $55 million annually through 2029 to fund competitive grants for centers of excellence focused on financial literacy education for individuals aged 8-24. These centers, established by eligible institutions like schools, nonprofits, or financial organizations, must develop research-based programs covering budgeting, debt management, student loan guidance, and avoiding pitfalls like predatory lending. The bill specifically requires programs to address at-risk populations, include evidence-based teaching methods, and serve groups such as high school graduates, college students, young families, and military personnel. It mandates annual reporting to Congress on grant recipients and the populations they serve, with funding ending in 2029.

Maddy summaryHR 543, titled the "Iron Pipeline Review Act" (though the bill focuses on firearms trafficking, not pipelines), requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to submit annual reports to Congress on firearms trafficking along Interstate 95. The reports must analyze firearm origins, effectiveness of anti-trafficking measures, relevant laws, and include recommendations for law enforcement improvements and legislative/funding proposals. This bill directly affects federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies by mandating data collection and analysis to inform future anti-trafficking efforts. It does not create new laws or funding but establishes a reporting mechanism to assess current trafficking patterns and responses.

Maddy summaryHR 429, the Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and sell three types of commemorative coins ($5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar) to honor women who worked on the U.S. home front during World War II. The coins will be sold at face value plus surcharges ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar), with all surcharge revenue directed to the Rosie the Riveter Trust to support the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and related educational programs. The coins must be issued between January 1, 2028, and December 31, 2028, in specified quantities (50,000 gold, 400,000 silver, 750,000 half-dollar), with all costs covered by the sales revenue to avoid net government expense.

Maddy summaryHR 413, the CHILD Act of 2025, increases the annual tax benefit limit for dependent care assistance programs from $5,000 to $10,000 (with $2,500 to $5,000 for single filers) for taxpayers using employer-sponsored dependent care accounts. It adds automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments to these limits based on inflation, rounding increases to the nearest $50. The bill also removes an outdated provision (previously referenced as subparagraph (D)) from the tax code. These changes directly affect working parents and caregivers who use dependent care benefits, applying to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThe Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution (HRES 23) would allow U.S. House Members who have given birth or whose spouse has given birth to appoint another Member as a proxy to cast their vote or record their presence in the House and committees for up to 12 weeks after childbirth. To use this, the new parent must submit a signed letter to the Clerk detailing the birth or medical condition and naming the proxy; the proxy must vote exactly as instructed and announce the vote as "by proxy." The proxy vote does not count toward quorum, and the new parent can revoke the proxy at any time by submitting a new letter or casting their own vote. This resolution applies to all House Members, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, though they cannot cast votes for the House itself.