Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez

Maddy summaryThis bill would require cosmetic suppliers to provide brand owners with detailed safety information about ingredients, including environmental and health hazards, chemical properties, and testing results. It creates a new FDA list of "nonfunctional constituents" (chemicals with no purpose in the product but potentially harmful to health or the environment) and mandates testing for these substances. Suppliers must provide certificates of analysis showing levels of these substances before selling to brand owners. The bill also establishes recordkeeping requirements for the entire cosmetic supply chain to facilitate recalls or investigations. These requirements apply to cosmetic manufacturers, suppliers, and brand owners, with the FDA responsible for implementation and enforcement.

Maddy summaryHR 4444 would replace the current "undue hardship" standard for discharging student loan debt in bankruptcy with a new, more accessible standard. This change directly affects the 43 million Americans with federal student loans, particularly those struggling with payments (over 6 million are 90+ days delinquent as of June 2025), who currently face an extremely low success rate (less than 0.01%) under the existing Brunner test. The bill amends Section 523(a)(8) of the bankruptcy code to remove "undue hardship," giving courts flexibility to use reasonable criteria while maintaining existing bankruptcy requirements like means testing. This aims to provide a fairer path to relief for borrowers who cannot repay their debts, addressing a system where most bankruptcy filings for student loans fail.

Maddy summaryThis bill would fund research into health impacts from chemicals in cosmetics used by communities of color and professional salon workers, with $7.5 million allocated for each research area. It requires cosmetic manufacturers to provide safety data sheets in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean) for salon products containing hazardous chemicals. The bill establishes two national resource centers to provide education, training, and culturally appropriate materials about safer cosmetic choices for underserved populations. It also regulates synthetic braids as cosmetics under FDA safety standards, requiring warning labels if safety standards aren't met.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require cosmetic brand owners to disclose all ingredients, including fragrances and flavors, on their websites and product packaging. Starting 1 year after enactment, brand owners must list all ingredients in descending order on their websites, including the functional purpose of fragrance ingredients. By 2 years after enactment, product packaging must list all ingredients and include a link to health information for products containing certain hazardous chemicals identified in EPA, California, EU, and other official lists. The bill creates a master list of hazardous chemicals that the Food and Drug Administration must maintain and update, which would be publicly available. This affects all cosmetic manufacturers and brand owners selling products in interstate commerce, giving consumers more transparency about potentially harmful ingredients.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using federal funds to detain or transport U.S. citizens during civil immigration enforcement actions. It directly affects ICE operations by blocking funding for any activity that would hold or move citizens outside the U.S. under immigration laws. The key mechanism is a specific funding restriction in the bill text, stating no funds may be used for detaining or transporting citizens. This applies to all civil immigration enforcement activities defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill does not create new enforcement powers but limits how existing funds can be spent.

Maddy summaryThe Toxic-Free Beauty Act of 2025 bans 15 specific harmful chemicals and contaminants in cosmetic products, directly affecting manufacturers and retailers selling cosmetics in the U.S. market. It prohibits ingredients like formaldehyde, mercury, certain parabens, phthalates, and triclosan, while setting strict limits for contaminants such as lead and 1,4-dioxane in products. The law includes a non-preemption clause allowing states to maintain or enforce stricter rules than federal standards, and the ban will take effect for products introduced into interstate commerce starting January 1, 2027. This legislation aims to reduce consumer exposure to chemicals linked to health risks by defining key terms like "contaminant" and "intentionally added ingredient."

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal worker heat protection standards to prevent heat-related illness and injury. It requires employers to provide a workplace free from heat stress hazards, including access to cool water, scheduled rest breaks, shaded cooling areas, and training on heat illness symptoms. The Secretary of Labor must create these standards within one year, incorporating evidence-based practices like engineering controls (e.g., ventilation), administrative measures (e.g., adjusted schedules), and employer-paid personal protective equipment. The law directly affects all employers in high-heat work environments - such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing - and strengthens whistleblower protections for workers reporting safety violations.

Maddy summaryHR 4396, the Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025, mandates a study by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) into the potential link between chemical hair straighteners and uterine cancer, with a specific focus on higher incidence rates among women of color. The study will review existing research, examine impacts across all racial and ethnic groups, analyze different hair straightener types (including those with dyes or bleach), and assess whether the FDA should require additional safety testing for these products. HHS must submit its study methodology within 45 days of the bill's enactment, begin the study within 180 days, and deliver a final report to Congress within two years. This bill does not create new regulations but directs a specific research effort to gather evidence on a potential health concern. The study directly affects women, particularly women of color, who use hair straightening products and may face elevated uterine cancer risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow states to create their own universal health care systems by applying for waivers that replace federal health programs with state-based coverage. States would need to demonstrate they can cover at least 95% of residents within 5 years, maintain comparable benefits and affordability, and provide comprehensive coverage including reproductive health services. The federal government would redirect funds that would have gone to federal programs like Medicaid and Medicare to the states, with states required to submit regular reports on coverage progress and costs. The bill includes specific protections for Indian health care providers and ensures coverage for vulnerable populations without imposing new costs on them. This framework would apply to states that choose to implement their own universal health care system rather than relying on existing federal programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to significantly increase federal research funding for uterine fibroids ($30 million annually from 2026-2030), expand coordination of NIH research, and establish a Medicaid data system to track treatment access and costs. It mandates public education on fibroid symptoms, prevalence (especially among Black women, who face higher risk and severity), and non-hysterectomy treatment options. The bill also requires disseminating evidence-based provider resources on managing fibroids while preserving fertility. These provisions directly affect the estimated 26 million U.S. women with fibroids - particularly women of color - and aim to address the current lack of research and treatment data.