Rep. Pablo José Hernández

Maddy summaryHR 2137, the Review Every Veterans Claim Act of 2025, prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from denying benefit claims solely because a veteran misses a required medical exam. It amends Section 5103A of Title 38, U.S. Code, to prohibit automatic denials for missed exams and requires the VA to consider other factors. This directly affects veterans filing claims for VA benefits who skip scheduled medical evaluations. The bill ensures veterans cannot be rejected for a claim based only on non-attendance, while allowing denials for other valid reasons.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the value of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, a federal system that requires over 8,000 industrial facilities to submit data on their emissions. The bill highlights how this program provides transparent information on pollution sources to help government agencies, researchers, and communities make informed decisions about public health and environmental protection. It specifically notes that the data collected supports efforts to address climate change and protects vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected by air pollution. The measure does not create new laws or regulations but serves to express support for the existing reporting requirements and their role in maintaining scientific integrity.

Maddy summaryThe No WAR Act prohibits Congress from using budget reconciliation procedures to fund military hostilities against Iran unless such actions are explicitly authorized by a formal declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force. This legislation directly affects the legislative process by establishing a point of order that blocks any reconciliation bill attempting to provide budget authority for offensive military operations, strikes, or covert actions targeting Iranian military forces, territory, or government institutions. The bill also defines proxy forces as any foreign military or irregular groups operating with U.S. direction or material support, ensuring these entities are included in the restrictions on unauthorized funding. By amending the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, the measure aims to prevent the use of budgetary shortcuts to bypass the constitutional requirement for congressional approval before engaging in armed conflict with Iran.

Maddy summaryThe Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for Small Business Administration loans to include small businesses owned by certain non-citizens. Specifically, it allows businesses to qualify if they are at least 51 percent owned and controlled by individuals who are lawfully present in the United States and authorized to work, such as refugees, asylees, permanent residents, and specific nonimmigrant visa holders. The bill also permits businesses owned by individuals living outside the United States to apply for these loans. This change aims to broaden access to federal financial support for small enterprises by removing previous restrictions based on the citizenship or permanent residency status of the business owners.

Maddy summaryThe Clean Energy Workforce Act authorizes $100 million to help schools and colleges train students for jobs in clean energy, renewable energy, and climate change fields. The funding supports two main programs: grants for partnerships between schools and local businesses to create or expand educational courses that prepare students for these industries, and grants for educational facilities to become more energy-efficient and use renewable power. To ensure quality, the bill requires a review committee of educators and industry experts to evaluate grant applications, with priority given to programs that reach underserved students and share their methods with other schools.

Maddy summaryThe PRICE Act requires third-party food delivery apps to stop using hidden pricing strategies that change delivery fees based on a customer's past order history or willingness to pay. Starting 90 days after enactment, these platforms must calculate delivery fees using a fixed formula based only on the order total and distance, while clearly displaying the base food price and the final total before checkout. The law also mandates that apps explain exactly what each delivery fee covers and whether it is refundable. The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for enforcing these rules, and state attorneys general have the authority to sue platforms that violate the act on behalf of their residents.

Maddy summaryThe Save Willy Act of 2026 establishes a four-year pilot program to create a Cetacean Desk within the San Francisco Vessel Traffic Service, directly affecting maritime operators and federal agencies managing vessel traffic in the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Strait. This desk will employ up to two staff members to monitor large whale sightings, coordinate with ship operators to enforce safety guidelines, and share real-time data to reduce the risk of vessel strikes and disturbances. The bill also mandates the use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence for better detection, requires regular reports on the program's effectiveness, and ensures collaboration with local governments, tribes, and research institutions to protect these marine mammals.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a 15 percent pay increase for career employees of the Transportation Security Administration, including agents and officers who are not senior executives or high-level appointees. The raise would take effect starting with the first pay period following the law's enactment and would apply to both basic pay rates and compensation bands under the TSA's core system. The legislation directly affects TSA staff members who fall under the career employee definition, ensuring they receive the salary adjustment in their next eligible paycheck.

Maddy summaryThe Momnibus Act is a comprehensive legislative bill designed to improve maternal health outcomes across the United States by addressing social determinants of health, expanding access to care, and reducing disparities among pregnant and postpartum individuals. The bill establishes a federal task force to coordinate efforts between agencies and stakeholders to eliminate preventable maternal mortality and severe morbidity, while providing sustained funding to community-based organizations to address nonclinical factors like housing, nutrition, and transportation. Key provisions include extending WIC eligibility to 24 months postpartum, creating grants to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, implementing respectful maternity care training for all healthcare employees, and establishing compliance programs to track and address bias in maternity care settings. The legislation also includes specific measures for incarcerated mothers, veterans, and vulnerable populations affected by climate change, alongside funding for maternal mental health services and technology-enabled care models to expand access in underserved areas.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for recognizing April as National Language Access Month to highlight the importance of language services for individuals with limited English proficiency. It directly affects millions of Americans who speak languages other than English at home and rely on translation and interpretation services to access public services. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about existing federal requirements for language access in areas like healthcare, employment, and voting. It encourages federal agencies, state and local governments, and community organizations to promote awareness of language access rights and resources during the designated month.