Rep. Marcy Kaptur

Maddy summaryThe Words Matter Act of 2023 replaces the outdated term "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" across numerous federal laws and regulations. It amends over 20 provisions in the U.S. Code, Social Security Act, and other statutes - including healthcare, disability programs, and legal definitions - to update terminology used in areas like nursing home care, criminal justice, and federal grants. The bill explicitly states this is a purely linguistic change, not a policy shift, and does not alter eligibility, benefits, or program requirements for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It affects all federal programs and legal references that previously used the terms "mental retardation," "mentally retarded," or "developmentally disabled."

Maddy summaryThe Postal Police Reform Act of 2023 updates federal law to explicitly include "Postal Service police officers" alongside Postal Inspectors as authorized personnel for enforcing regulations on U.S. Postal Service property. It clarifies that the Postmaster General can establish and post rules for protecting postal property, with violations punishable by fines or up to 30 days in jail. This change directly affects USPS police officers (by formalizing their role), the Postmaster General (by expanding regulatory authority), and anyone on postal property who must follow posted rules. The bill makes existing enforcement procedures more explicit without altering penalties or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects living organ donors from insurance discrimination by prohibiting life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, raising premiums, or altering policy terms solely because someone donated an organ while alive. It also updates the Family and Medical Leave Act to include recovery from organ donation surgery as a qualifying health condition, allowing donors to take protected leave for this purpose. Additionally, the bill requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to update public educational materials about living donation benefits, risks, and insurance protections within six months of enactment. These changes directly affect living organ donors, insurers, employers, and healthcare systems by ensuring fair access to insurance and workplace leave.

Maddy summaryHRES 334 is a symbolic resolution recognizing "Community College Month" to celebrate over 1,000 community colleges across the United States. It highlights how these institutions support accessible higher education, workforce training, and economic prosperity - serving 10.2 million students annually while charging affordable tuition (averaging $3,860 for in-district students). The resolution does not create new laws or requirements but formally acknowledges community colleges' role in strengthening local communities and the national economy. This acknowledgment applies broadly to all community colleges and their students, without imposing any obligations.

Maddy summaryThe Child Care for Working Families Act establishes a federal entitlement program providing subsidized child care for working families with children under age 6 who are not yet in kindergarten. It creates a sliding fee scale where families at or below 85% of State median income pay no copayment, while higher-income families pay up to 7% of their income based on income thresholds. The bill requires states to develop quality rating systems for child care providers and ensures providers receive sufficient funding to meet quality standards, including wages equivalent to elementary educators. It prioritizes access for underserved populations including children with disabilities, infants and toddlers, children experiencing homelessness, and families in low-income communities. The program is funded with $20 billion for fiscal year 2024 and subsequent years through 2029.

Maddy summaryHRES 332 is a symbolic House resolution expressing congressional support for Ukraine's victory in its war against Russia. It affirms that U.S. policy should aim for Ukraine to prevail and return to its internationally recognized 1991 borders, with the House declaring that Ukraine's victory must be secured through NATO integration. The resolution also calls for the Russian Federation to pay reparations, global support for Ukraine's rebuilding, accountability for Russian leaders, and justice for victims of wartime crimes. As a non-binding "sense of Congress" resolution (not a law), it does not change U.S. policy but reflects the House's stance on supporting Ukraine.

Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2023 This bill modifies the above-the-line tax deduction for the expenses of performing artists (including commissions paid to managers or agents) to provide for a phaseout of such deduction for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 for joint return filers). The $100,000 phaseout threshold is adjusted for inflation annually for taxable years beginning after 2023.

Maddy summaryHR 2370, the Access to AEDs Act, authorizes $25 million in federal funding (2024-2028) to help public elementary and secondary schools improve access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to school districts and partners for developing AED programs, training staff and students, purchasing and maintaining AEDs, and creating cardiac emergency response plans. It specifically targets schools to address sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which is a leading cause of death among student athletes and youth, with 90% of SCA victims dying without immediate CPR and defibrillation. The law requires grantees to report on their activities and establishes a clearinghouse to collect data on school AED access and costs.

This resolution affirms that it is U.S. policy to see Ukraine prevail against the Russian invasion and restored to its internationally recognized 1991 borders. The resolution also states that the peace brought by Ukraine's victory must be secured by integrating Ukraine into NATO and other Euroatlantic institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill names the federal building at 985 Michigan Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, as the "John Conyers Federal Building." It updates all official references in laws, documents, and records to reflect this new name for the building. The bill has no policy changes or funding impacts - it is purely a ceremonial designation honoring John Conyers, a long-serving Detroit congressman and civil rights advocate. The building itself is the sole entity affected by this naming.