Rep. Ritchie Torres

Maddy summaryHR 8830, the High Court Gift Ban Act, sets strict limits on gifts federal judges may accept. It prohibits judges from receiving gifts valued over $50 from a single source in a year, unless the total from that source stays under $100 annually. Key exceptions include gifts paid for by the judge, gifts from relatives, honorary degrees from educational institutions, and public opportunities available to all federal employees. The bill also outlines enforcement mechanisms, requiring the Judicial Conference to refer violations to the Attorney General for civil or criminal penalties. This directly affects all federal judges, including Supreme Court justices and lower court judges, by restricting gifts from sources that may have business before them.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes June 19, 2024, as Juneteenth Independence Day, acknowledging its historical significance as the anniversary of the end of slavery in the U.S. (specifically referencing Union soldiers' announcement in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865). It does not create new policy but formally encourages all Americans to observe the day through ceremonies and educational activities. The resolution emphasizes Juneteenth's role in honoring African American freedom and its importance to U.S. history and cultural heritage. It follows the 2022 law that established Juneteenth as a federal holiday, focusing solely on symbolic recognition and annual observance.

Maddy summaryHR 8732, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act, would establish new labor protections for domestic workers including nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers who work in private homes. The bill requires written agreements between employers and domestic employees, provides earned sick days, ensures fair scheduling practices, and prohibits unfair wage deductions for cash shortages or communications. It also creates a Domestic Employee Standards Board to recommend workplace standards and establishes a National Domestic Employee Hotline for assistance. The bill specifically targets domestic workers who have historically been excluded from labor protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Civil Rights Act, benefiting an estimated 2.2 million domestic workers in the U.S. who are disproportionately women of color and immigrants.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal jury selection laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It updates definitions in Title 28 of the U.S. Code by adding "sexual orientation and gender identity" to the protected characteristics under "sex" and defining key terms like "gender identity" and "sexual orientation." The changes directly affect federal jury pools by requiring courts to consider these factors when selecting jurors and preventing discrimination in the process. The law clarifies that discrimination based on these characteristics - including associations with others who share them - is prohibited during jury selection. This is a concrete policy change to expand anti-discrimination protections in federal jury service.

Maddy summaryHR 537 authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor 60 diplomats who saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust by issuing visas and passports against their governments' orders, risking expulsion and personal danger. The medal will be presented to the next of kin of these diplomats, alongside representatives from their home countries, and permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This legislation recognizes the diplomats' humanitarian actions without creating new government programs or altering existing laws.

Maddy summaryHR 8677, the Save Voters Act, requires states to use objective, reliable evidence before removing a voter from registration lists for federal elections. It specifically prohibits removing voters based on not voting, not responding to notices (unless undeliverable), or failing to take other voting-related actions. States must send removal notices within 48 hours to affected voters, explaining the reason and how to contest it, and issue public notices about mass removal efforts. The bill applies directly to voters and state election offices managing voter registration lists.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays a Medicare policy that would have restricted coverage to only intravenous drugs for managing phosphate levels in kidney failure patients. It specifically postpones the implementation of the "oral-only" policy under Medicare's ESRD payment system until January 1, 2033, or until an intravenous drug for phosphate control receives FDA approval - whichever comes first. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who rely on oral medications for phosphate management. It ensures continued Medicare coverage for these oral drugs during the extended timeline, without changing the underlying payment structure.

Maddy summaryThis resolution condemns the 1994 bombing of Argentina’s AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured 300, and calls for accountability for the attack. It urges international cooperation to hold Iranian officials and Hezbollah operatives responsible, referencing Argentina’s recent court ruling that identified Iran as responsible for the bombing. The resolution supports efforts to pursue justice through INTERPOL and stands in solidarity with Argentina’s Jewish community - the largest in Latin America - honoring victims and their families who have waited 30 years for accountability. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws but emphasizes U.S. support for Argentina’s legal process.

Maddy summaryThe George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2024 establishes a National Police Misconduct Registry to track complaints and disciplinary actions against officers, requiring all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to report use-of-force incidents with racial, gender, and age data. It bans chokeholds and carotid holds in police encounters, prohibits no-knock warrants in drug cases, and reforms qualified immunity to make it harder for officers to avoid accountability for misconduct. The bill mandates body cameras for federal officers, requires independent investigations of officer-involved shootings, and creates new data collection systems to monitor racial profiling and use-of-force patterns. It also includes provisions for civilian oversight boards, improved officer training on de-escalation and implicit bias, and restrictions on military equipment transfers to local police departments. This law affects all law enforcement agencies receiving federal funding under programs like Byrne and COPS grants.

Maddy summaryThe Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (HR 620) requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director to annually submit a budget estimate for Alzheimer’s-related initiatives - including personnel needs - directly to the President for review and then to Congress. This budget must be prepared after public comment and submitted without changes by the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Advisory Council. The bill directly affects the NIH’s budget reporting process for Alzheimer’s research and programs, mandating transparency in how funds are allocated. It does not change funding levels but establishes a specific annual reporting mechanism to improve accountability.