This bill requires the acquisition and installation of a statute in the Capitol or on the Capitol grounds to honor Roberto Clemente Walker, a humanitarian and athlete.
Equality in the Halls of Congress Act This bill authorizes the President to invite each U.S. territory to provide and furnish no more than two statues for placement in National Statuary Hall.
No Fortune for Fraud Act This bill prohibits a Member of the House of Representatives from receiving compensation for a biography, a media appearance, or other creative work if the Member is convicted of specified felony offenses (e.g., bribing public officials or defrauding the government) or offenses related to violations of campaign finance laws. A Member who violates the prohibition shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10 million for each violation.
Pollution-Free Aviation Sites Act or the PFAS Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide grants to Part 139 airports for a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) replacement program for firefighting foams and related equipment. (Part 139 airports include airports that serve scheduled and unscheduled air carrier operations for aircraft with more than 30 seats or serve scheduled air carrier operations for aircraft with 10-30 seats.) DOT must establish the PFAS replacement program within 90 days of the Department of Defense approving a fluorine-free firefighting agent (i.e., an agent that does not contain any PFAS). Under the program, DOT must reimburse eligible airport sponsors for the reasonable and appropriate costs associated with the one-time initial acquisition of fluorine-free firefighting alternatives, the disposal of PFAS products as part of the transition to a fluorine-free agent, cleaning or disposal of existing equipment or components, and replacement of aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment. DOT must prioritize grants of up to $2 million to replace aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles at specific smaller airports (i.e., Index A airports) that do not have existing capabilities to produce fluorine-free foam. DOT must determine the eligibility of costs payable under the PFAS replacement program by taking into account all engineering, technical, and environmental protocols and generally accepted industry standards that are developed or established for fluorine-free foams.
Maddy summaryHR 5355, the Save Our Airports Reporting Act, requires the FAA Administrator to submit biannual progress reports to Congress on developing a national transition plan for fluorine-free firefighting foam at airports. The reports must detail progress in providing certified commercial airports (part 139 airports) and local authorities with EPA guidance on environmental limits, DoD transition plans, decontamination best practices, and implementation timelines. The reporting continues until the FAA notifies Congress the transition plan is complete. This bill directly affects FAA operations, certified airports, and local airport safety oversight authorities. It is a procedural requirement focused on transparency, not a direct policy change to firefighting standards.
Maddy summaryHRES 670 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' sense that all 50 states should include the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in elementary and secondary school curricula. It aims to ensure students learn about this historical event to honor the 2,977 victims and remember its significance, though it does not require states to change education standards. The resolution highlights the attacks as a pivotal moment that shaped U.S. national security and calls for continued remembrance through education. As a procedural resolution, it carries no legal force but seeks to encourage state-level curriculum decisions.
Maddy summaryHR 5383, the GIVE MILK Act, amends the Child Nutrition Act to allow WIC participants with young children to choose their preferred milk type (whole, low-fat, or nonfat) instead of receiving a default option. This change directly affects WIC participants caring for children aged 12 months to 4 years, aligning with dietary guidelines for that age group. The key provision requires the Secretary of Agriculture to issue the milk type elected by the participant or their guardian, updating WIC program regulations under Section 17(f) of the Child Nutrition Act. The bill focuses on enabling participant choice based on established nutritional recommendations for childhood development.
Maddy summaryThe Jobs in the Woods Act creates a federal grant program to train workers for forestry jobs in rural communities. It provides competitive grants (ranging from $500,000 to $2 million) to eligible groups like states, tribes, nonprofits, or schools for career training programs in forestry operations and products. Priority is given to projects addressing aging workforces, youth engagement through school partnerships, and job placement. The program is funded at $10 million annually from 2024 through 2028, targeting low-income rural areas with populations under 50,000.
Maddy summaryHRES 668, the BUDS Resolution, amends House rules to allow bipartisan joint sponsorship of public bills and resolutions by one majority-party and one minority-party member. This change directly affects House members seeking to co-sponsor legislation with cross-party support, updating the existing rules for naming cosponsors and submitting constitutional authority statements. The key mechanism requires that for joint sponsorship, one sponsor must represent the majority party and the other the minority party, with both sponsors sharing responsibility for related procedural steps. This procedural adjustment streamlines the process for bipartisan co-sponsorship without altering legislative policy.
Maddy summaryThe Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act of 2023 creates a new federal program allowing eligible entities (like state governments, tribes, or certain organizations) to purchase voluntary groundwater conservation easements from agricultural landowners in areas facing significant groundwater depletion. Landowners with eligible groundwater rights can enter into these easements, which restrict future groundwater use while allowing continued farming, in exchange for federal cost-share funding covering up to 65% of the easement's fair market value. The program requires easements to include measurable groundwater pumping reductions and support local groundwater management, with the Secretary prioritizing projects that protect ecosystems and align with state sustainability efforts. It directly affects agricultural landowners in depleted aquifer regions and provides technical assistance to help administer the conservation plans.
