Rep. Marc A. Veasey

Maddy summaryHRES 332 is a resolution designating April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to raise awareness about maternal health disparities affecting Black women and birthing people in the U.S. It references CDC data showing Black women are 2-3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women and that the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations. The resolution emphasizes the need to address systemic inequities contributing to these outcomes without creating new laws or funding. It serves as a symbolic recognition to amplify community-led efforts, such as those by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, rather than implementing policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 2910, the Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2025, establishes a federal grant program to fund community-based organizations in creating after-school and out-of-school-time workforce readiness programs for youth aged 6-18. The bill authorizes $100 million annually (2026-2030) to support activities like career pathway planning, paid work experiences (including apprenticeships), occupational skill training aligned with local job needs, and employer partnerships. It directly affects eligible youth - particularly those in underserved communities - and requires grantees to coordinate with schools, employers, and local workforce boards, while mandating youth councils to advise on program design. The program emphasizes measurable outcomes, including improved school attendance, skill development, and transitions to postsecondary education or employment.

Maddy summaryHR 2919, the PARADE Act, prohibits using federal funds from the Department of Defense, White House, or Executive Office of the President to sponsor parades specifically commemorating or paying tribute to the current President. The bill directly affects federal agencies by blocking budget allocations for such events. Its key provision bans the use of appropriated money for "covered parades" as defined in the bill. This is a procedural restriction on federal spending, not a change to substantive policy. The summary focuses solely on the funding prohibition described in the bill text.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCONRES 26) expresses Congress's condemnation of the lack of accountability for Serbian sexual war crimes committed against Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman, a U.S. citizen raped by Serbian forces during the 1999 Kosovo war. It specifically references her case - where perpetrators were acquitted and later released despite multiple legal appeals - amid reports that only one perpetrator has been convicted of such crimes out of approximately 20,000 victims. The resolution calls on Kosovo to prioritize prosecuting 1999 war rape cases, urges Serbia to investigate and extradite perpetrators, and directs the U.S. government to elevate Goodman’s case in diplomatic engagements and support rehabilitation efforts. As a non-binding resolution, it formally urges action but does not create new legal obligations.

Maddy summaryHR 2850, the Youth Sports Facilities Act of 2025, amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to expand eligibility for federal grants to include youth sports facilities. It specifically requires these facilities to address sedentary lifestyles and obesity, prioritize low-income rural youth in underserved communities, and serve children lacking access to physical education spaces or living in areas with high opioid use or violence. The bill mandates that grant-funded projects must benefit highly rural communities with limited tax revenue and support economic development through youth sports infrastructure. It directly affects communities and children in rural, underserved, or high-risk areas by directing federal funding toward building or improving local sports facilities. The key mechanism is modifying existing grant criteria to prioritize these specific community needs through new eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 2831, the Small Business Energy Loan Enhancement Act, doubles the maximum loan amounts for certain small business energy projects under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, raising the cap from $5.5 million to $10 million for two specific loan categories. This directly affects small businesses seeking financing for energy-related investments, such as efficiency upgrades or renewable energy installations. The bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to annually report to Congress on which industries and geographic areas receive these loans. These changes aim to increase access to capital for qualifying energy projects without altering eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHR 2888, the "Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act," terminates specific executive orders imposing tariffs (EOs 14257, 14193, and 14194) and requires congressional approval for new tariffs or trade restrictions. It directly affects the President, who can no longer unilaterally impose or increase tariffs without Congress passing a joint resolution approving the action. Key mechanisms include mandating a formal joint resolution process for tariff decisions (with limited exceptions for existing antidumping duties and trade agreements) and applying expedited congressional procedures. This bill shifts authority from the executive branch to Congress for major trade policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe Vote at Home Act of 2025 requires states to mail ballots to all registered voters for federal elections at least two weeks before Election Day, eliminating unnecessary barriers like notary requirements or excuses for voting by mail. It ensures ballots are accessible to voters with disabilities and provides free postage for all mail-in ballots, making voting more convenient for rural voters, those with disabilities, and people with scheduling conflicts. The bill also expands automatic voter registration through motor vehicle offices, streamlining the process while protecting against errors in registration. These changes aim to increase accessibility and participation in federal elections while reducing election administration costs, with states required to comply for elections beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through December 31, 2026, maintaining existing coverage for policyholders. It directly affects homeowners and businesses in flood-prone areas who rely on NFIP policies to protect against flood damage. The key change modifies two provisions in the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, updating the program's expiration date from September 30, 2023, to December 31, 2026. The bill does not alter the program's structure or benefits, only its operational timeline.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates federal election laws to strengthen protections for election records, papers, and equipment, including digital records and voting machines. It requires election officials to preserve all election materials (like ballot records and equipment) for at least 22 months after federal elections, with specific rules for reusing equipment. The bill also creates a new legal pathway allowing candidates or the Attorney General to sue in federal court to enforce compliance with these preservation rules, requiring courts to prioritize such cases. These changes directly affect election administrators, voting equipment vendors, and candidates seeking to challenge election record handling. The provisions aim to clarify and expand existing safeguards for election integrity without specifying outcomes.