Rep. Andrea Salinas

Maddy summaryHRES 832 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as an annual cultural observance in the U.S. and globally. It acknowledges the holiday's origins in Mesoamerican traditions, its significance in honoring deceased loved ones through altars (*ofrendas*), and its role in celebrating Latino cultural heritage. The resolution specifically highlights the contributions of Mexican and Mexican American communities to U.S. society and culture, without creating new laws or obligations. It is a ceremonial gesture by Congress, not a policy with concrete effects on individuals or communities.

Maddy summaryHR 5983, the Clean Water Act of 2023, redefines "protected water resources" under federal law to explicitly include all interstate and intrastate waters (such as intermittent and ephemeral streams), wetlands, and their tributaries. This directly affects federal agencies like the EPA, states managing water quality, and developers or landowners needing permits for activities near these waters. The bill eliminates the Supreme Court’s narrow "navigable waters" definition from Sackett v. EPA (2023), restoring protections for tens of millions of acres of wetlands and millions of miles of small streams. Key mechanisms require the EPA to annually review and adjust exclusions from protections based on scientific evidence, ensuring water bodies critical to drinking water, flood control, and ecosystems remain safeguarded.

Maddy summaryHRES 819 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the 5-year anniversary of the October 27, 2018, antisemitic attack at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue, which killed 11 people. It condemns antisemitism and references rising hate incidents, including the Anti-Defamation League’s 2022 report of record antisemitic activity (3,697 incidents). The resolution honors the victims, expresses solidarity with affected Jewish communities, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combatting hate and protecting religious freedom. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it has no binding effect but serves as a formal statement of congressional stance.

Maddy summaryThe Student Support Act (HR 6091) establishes a federal grant program to address the critical shortage of mental health professionals in schools, authorizing $100 million annually through 2028. The bill sets specific target ratios for school-based mental health providers: one counselor for every 250 students, one psychologist for every 500-700 students, and one social worker for every 250 students. Funds would be distributed to states based on the number of children in poverty and total student enrollment, with states required to provide matching funds. This legislation directly affects public and private K-12 schools across the United States, particularly those serving low-income students who currently lack adequate mental health support.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require employers with 5 or more employees to provide 56 hours of paid leave annually for employees experiencing pregnancy loss, failed fertility procedures (including IVF), failed adoption or surrogacy arrangements, or fertility-impacting diagnoses. Employees could also use this leave to care for a spouse or domestic partner facing these circumstances. Employers would need to provide clear notice of this policy and cannot discriminate against employees who use this leave. The bill applies to private sector employers, government employees, and others covered under the defined terms, with enforcement mechanisms to protect employees' rights.

Maddy summaryThe Rape Kit Backlog Progress Act of 2023 requires states and local governments receiving federal crime-fighting grants to conduct comprehensive inventories of all sexual assault kits (both tested and untested) and report key details to the Attorney General. It mandates that jurisdictions document victim consent for testing, upload DNA results to the national CODIS database, establish electronic tracking systems for victims, and implement victim notification protocols. States must submit these reports annually to maintain eligibility for federal grants, with the Attorney General publishing a public annual report on backlog status and compliance. This law directly affects state/local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors handling sexual assault cases, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in processing evidence.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 72 is a non-binding concurrent resolution recognizing the wage gap between Latina women and White, non-Hispanic men, where Latina women earn 57 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men working full-time. It highlights that this disparity results in Latina women losing over $1.2 million in potential earnings over a 40-year career and places them at risk of poverty. The resolution reaffirms congressional support for equal pay but does not create new laws or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic statement to raise awareness about systemic inequities affecting Latina women workers.

Maddy summaryHRES 785 is a non-binding resolution introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives that formally recognizes the contributions of Hispanic lawyers and judges while highlighting their underrepresentation in the legal profession and judiciary. It cites specific statistics, noting Hispanic lawyers make up 5.8% of U.S. lawyers and Hispanic judges represent just 7% of federal judicial appointments. The resolution expresses support for increasing Hispanic representation in the legal field to better reflect the Hispanic population, which comprises 18.7% of the U.S. population. As a symbolic measure, it does not enact new laws or policies but serves as a statement of the House's acknowledgment of diversity efforts in the legal sector.

Maddy summaryHRES 771 is a non-binding resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack. It condemns Hamas' actions, affirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls for the immediate release of hostages. The resolution also urges enforcement of existing laws restricting aid to terrorists and sanctions against Iran for supporting Hamas. It does not create new policies or allocate funds, as it is a symbolic statement of congressional support.

Maddy summaryHRES 768 is a symbolic House Resolution expressing congressional support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks. It condemns Hamas' actions, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls for the immediate release of hostages. The resolution references the U.S. commitment to Israel's security through existing military aid programs, including the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, and emphasizes enforcement of laws like the Taylor Force Act to prevent U.S. aid from reaching terrorist groups. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new policy but serves as a statement of congressional support for Israel.