Rep. Janelle S. Bynum

Maddy summaryHRES 48 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by commemorating his 96th birthday on January 20, 2025. The resolution affirms his teachings on diversity, equality, and nonviolence, and specifically condemns hate, discrimination, and harassment targeting Black Americans, Indigenous peoples, Jewish communities, Asian-American/Pacific Islander groups, Muslim communities, Hispanic/Latino communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. It calls on all people to uphold Dr. King’s values of justice, tolerance, and peace. As a symbolic gesture, this resolution has no legal effect but expresses the House’s commitment to these principles.

Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 This bill expands Medicare coverage of chiropractic services to include all services provided by chiropractors, rather than only subluxation corrections through manual manipulation of the spine.

Maddy summaryHR 500, the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025, removes Medicare's longstanding exclusion of hearing aids and related examinations from coverage. This change would directly affect Medicare beneficiaries with hearing loss by allowing them to receive coverage for hearing aids starting January 1, 2026. The bill amends the Social Security Act to eliminate the specific exclusion, making hearing aid coverage a standard Medicare benefit. Additionally, it requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study existing hearing aid programs and submit a report with recommendations to Congress within 18 months of the effective date.

Maddy summaryHRES 45 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for its 117 years of community service. It commends the sorority’s founding in 1908, its global membership of over 120,000 members, and its current service initiatives focused on social justice, community uplift, and economic empowerment. The resolution has no legal effect and serves solely to recognize the organization’s contributions to communities. It was introduced by multiple House members and referred to the Education and Workforce Committee.

Maddy summaryThe Prevent Tariff Abuse Act amends the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to prohibit the President from using emergency powers to impose tariffs or import quotas on goods entering the U.S. It adds a specific provision stating the President cannot impose duties, tariffs, or quotas under this law. This directly limits the executive branch's authority during emergencies, preventing the use of emergency powers for trade restrictions. The bill does not affect other trade policies or the President's other emergency authorities.

Maddy summaryHR 433, the Department of Education Protection Act, prohibits the use of federal funds to reorganize the Department of Education. Specifically, it blocks any spending from current fiscal year appropriations on activities that would decentralize the department, reduce staffing, or alter its structure, responsibilities, or authority relative to its organization as of January 1, 2025. The bill directly affects the Department of Education by preventing structural changes to its existing offices and operations. This is a procedural measure focused solely on preserving the current departmental framework, not on changing education policy or funding.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases healthcare affordability for low- and middle-income people by expanding eligibility for premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. It removes the previous 400% of poverty level cap for subsidy eligibility and replaces it with a new sliding scale based on income tiers, ranging from 0% to 8.5% of household income for coverage costs. The scale adjusts linearly across income levels, with households earning 300-400% of poverty paying 6.0%-8.5% of income (up from the prior fixed 400% cap), while lower-income households pay progressively less. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly affecting individuals purchasing health insurance through marketplace plans.

Maddy summaryThe ESCRA Act (HR 306) targets fraudulent credit repair practices by prohibiting credit repair organizations from charging upfront fees before delivering results, requiring them to provide consumers with a credit report showing successful changes at least six months after service. It bans misleading claims about services and mandates clear disclosures (e.g., "credit repair organizations don’t provide services you can’t do yourself for free") while requiring written contracts detailing all communications. The bill also sets strict rules for submitting disputes to credit bureaus, including labeling communications as "submitted by a credit repair organization" and preventing "jamming" (repeated disputes without justification). These changes directly affect credit repair companies and consumers, aiming to reduce scams in the credit repair industry.

Maddy summaryHR 40 would establish a 15-member commission to study the legacy of slavery and systemic discrimination against African Americans in the United States, and develop proposals for reparations. The commission would examine historical and ongoing effects of slavery, discriminatory policies (including redlining and educational disparities), and recommend remedies through education and potential reparations. Composed of members appointed by the President, House Speaker, and Senate President pro tempore, the commission would have 18 months to submit a report to Congress, with $20 million authorized for its work. This legislation creates a study process but does not provide reparations directly.