Rep. Jasmine Crockett

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to remove a requirement that state agencies include photographs on electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards used for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, it eliminates the provision allowing states to mandate photo identification on SNAP EBT cards, stating that "a State agency may not require that an electronic benefit card contain a photograph." The change directly affects SNAP recipients who previously might have been required to provide a photo for their benefits card. The amendment takes effect 180 days after enactment, with existing certification periods unaffected.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 81 is a symbolic concurrent resolution recognizing the anniversaries of multiple United Nations-designated international days focused on peace, such as the International Day of Peace (September 21), International Day of Non-Violence (October 2), and others. It commemorates specific milestones, including the 42nd anniversary of the International Day of Peace and the 5th anniversary of the International Day of Living Together in Peace. The resolution encourages U.S. citizens to observe these days and supports activities promoting peace, nonviolence, and cooperation throughout the year. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or requirements but expresses congressional support for global peace efforts.

Maddy summaryThe Menopause Research and Equity Act of 2023 requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to evaluate existing and ongoing research on menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life women’s health, identifying gaps in knowledge and funding over the past five years. The NIH must then develop a strategic plan with health professionals (including specialists like gynecologists and endocrinologists) to address these gaps and guide future research on treatments for menopause symptoms. The bill also mandates new NIH research on causes, symptoms, and treatments for menopause-related health issues, including a study on hormonal treatments. All activities must be funded using existing NIH resources, with no new appropriations authorized. This aims to improve scientific understanding of women’s mid-life health needs.

Maddy summaryThe WARM Act of 2023 creates a national menopause public awareness program through the CDC, allocating $70 million for 2025-2028 to increase understanding of menopause symptoms, related health conditions, and treatment options through culturally competent educational materials. It provides $31.7 million for grants to train health care providers (including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) in managing menopausal symptoms, with priority given to institutions serving rural, Tribal, and other underserved communities. The bill also establishes regional centers of excellence to develop evidence-based curricula for health professions schools to improve menopause education. The program requires reports to Congress by 2025 and 2026 on implementation and effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThe Brittany Clardy Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Act establishes a new Office within the Department of Justice to address the disproportionate rates of missing and murdered Black women and girls in the U.S. The Office will collect and analyze data on these cases - including case resolution times, Amber Alert usage, and trafficking links - and create a public dashboard for tracking. It also creates a grant program for community organizations to provide culturally appropriate prevention services, law enforcement training, and victim support. The Office must submit biennial reports to Congress with findings and recommendations to improve the criminal justice response to these cases. This bill directly affects Black women and girls facing violence, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations providing related services.

Maddy summaryHR 6416, the "Russian War Crimes in Ukraine Tax Act," imposes a 100% tax on interest and dividends earned from frozen Russian and Belarusian sovereign assets held abroad. This tax revenue is directed into a new Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund, which must be used for Ukraine's reconstruction, humanitarian aid, economic development, and transparent governance. The bill requires U.S. financial institutions to withhold this tax from qualifying income and overrides international treaty obligations to ensure implementation. It also mandates annual reports on fund usage to Congress, specifying that all revenues from the tax must support Ukraine's recovery efforts as defined in the legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and extends funding for programs addressing substance use disorders and opioid addiction, including residential treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, first responder training, and community recovery initiatives. It increases funding levels for these programs, adds xylazine to Schedule III of controlled substances, and requires a study on remote monitoring for patients prescribed opioids. The bill also expands Medicaid coverage requirements for medication-assisted treatment and mandates reporting on mental health condition data alongside substance use disorder data, directly affecting individuals with substance use disorders, healthcare providers, and state and tribal governments.

Maddy summaryHR 6720 creates a grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide stabilization payments to farmworkers, meat processing workers, and grocery workers affected by natural or other disasters designated by the Secretary. Eligible entities - such as labor unions or membership organizations representing these worker groups - can apply for funding to support affected workers. The program is authorized to spend up to $50 million, with the Secretary required to report on its outcomes within four years. This bill directly affects workers in specific food industry sectors during disaster events, offering financial stabilization through grants administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Maddy summaryThe Rent Relief Act of 2023 creates a new refundable tax credit for renters whose rent exceeds 30% of their adjusted gross income. It directly affects low-to-moderate income renters in their principal residence, with credit percentages ranging from 100% (for incomes under $25,000) down to 0% (for incomes over $100,000). The credit is limited to rent within HUD's fair market rent guidelines, and the IRS will make monthly advance payments starting July 2024 for eligible taxpayers who elect this option. The bill requires no additional tax filing for the credit but includes $50 million for outreach to help eligible households enroll.