Rep. Greg Casar

Maddy summaryHRES 1186 is a non-binding House resolution recognizing the critical role of Guatemala's Indigenous communities - including Maya, Garifuna, and Xinka peoples - in defending democratic elections after the 2023 vote, despite systemic discrimination and marginalization. It highlights historical inequities (e.g., 75% Indigenous poverty vs. 36% non-Indigenous) and urges the Guatemalan government to honor commitments to represent all citizens equitably. The resolution specifically directs U.S. officials to encourage transparency in Guatemala, monitor corruption ties, and support Indigenous-led democracy efforts. It does not create new laws but formally expresses U.S. support for Indigenous rights and democratic processes in Guatemala. (HRES 1186, April 30, 2024)

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from closing, consolidating, or moving operations at any processing and distribution center in a region that missed specific delivery targets in the previous year. It directly affects USPS operations in regions failing to meet two key 2023 performance goals: at least 93% on-time delivery for two-day first-class mail and 90.3% for three-to-five-day first-class mail. The restriction applies annually during any calendar year based on the prior year's performance data. The law aims to protect postal facilities in underperforming areas from closure due to delivery metrics.

Maddy summaryHR 7918, the CREATE Art Act, establishes a federal grant program to support emerging artists in the U.S. It directly affects artists earning under $50,000 net annually from their art in the past five years (and under $400,000 total over 20 years). The bill provides four grant types: small "progress grants" ($2,000) for activities like recording or marketing; larger "project grants" ($100,000) for specific artistic projects; "live performance grants" ($35,000) with limits on domestic touring; and "development funds" ($10,000) for living expenses during creative work. Key provisions require grants to fund U.S.-based goods/services, prohibit record labels from receiving funds (though artists signed to labels can apply directly), and mandate prevailing wages, safe working conditions, and anti-discrimination protections for performers.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Treasury to instruct the U.S. representative at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to immediately review and suspend IMF surcharges on member countries. It specifically targets the 200-300 basis point fees applied to IMF loans exceeding certain thresholds, which the bill states constitute up to 39% of debt payments for some nations like Ecuador and Egypt, and will cost Ukraine an estimated $1.5 billion in surcharges from 2024-2028. The review requires a 365-day analysis of surcharge impacts on national budgets (including health, education, and food security), effectiveness in reducing IMF credit risk, and potential unintended consequences like pushing countries toward predatory loans. The bill mandates this review be completed and results published within a year, with surcharges suspended during the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide federal grants to public housing agencies to modernize public housing through energy efficiency upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and renewable energy systems. It requires all public housing to become "zero-carbon homes" that produce enough renewable energy to meet their own consumption within 10 years. The bill includes specific requirements for workforce development, hiring from low- and very low-income communities (40% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 90% after that), and contracting with resident-owned businesses (20% in year 1, 30% in year 2, 50% after that). It also mandates resident and community engagement in planning, and requires public housing agencies to meet specific energy efficiency and water quality standards. The bill directly affects all public housing agencies managing housing for low- and very low-income residents across the United States, including tribal housing entities.

Maddy summaryHR 7770, the Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell three commemorative coins honoring women who worked on the U.S. home front during World War II. It specifies $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), all to be issued between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar), with all surcharge funds directed to the Rosie the Riveter Trust for maintaining the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and educational programs. The coins will feature designs reflecting the legacy of diverse women workers and must meet specific weight, diameter, and composition standards.

Maddy summaryThe PTO Act establishes a standard for paid annual leave, requiring most employers to provide employees with 1 hour of paid leave for every 25 hours worked, up to a maximum of 80 hours per 12-month period. It directly affects private sector employees and certain government workers, including those at the Government Accountability Office, Library of Congress, and federal agencies covered under the Congressional Accountability Act. The bill prohibits employers from interfering with employees' use of leave for any reason, requires clear notice of leave policies, and protects employees from retaliation for taking leave. It includes enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Labor, allowing employees to file complaints or lawsuits for violations of their leave rights. The Act takes effect 180 days after enactment, with specific provisions for collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 99 is a symbolic congressional resolution honoring Wadee Alfayoumi, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy murdered in a hate crime on October 14, 2023, after being stabbed 26 times by a perpetrator who made anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian remarks. The resolution recognizes Congress's condemnation of hate crimes, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian discrimination, while affirming the United States' "zero tolerance" for such violence. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it does not create new policies but formally honors Wadee and his family, emphasizing the need to reject dehumanizing rhetoric targeting religious or ethnic groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the FAA Administrator to conduct a safety review within 180 days of enactment to address airport ramp worker safety. The review will examine FAA regulations, accident reports, training materials, communication methods, ramp markings, and jet blast safety protocols, with input from airlines, airports, labor, and safety experts. Within 6 months after the review, the FAA must develop and publish new training materials specifically about engine ingestion and jet blast hazards for ground crews. The bill directly affects ramp workers, airlines, airports, and safety oversight by mandating a structured review process to identify risks and improve safety practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Federal Advisory Panel to analyze climate change risks to federal retirement investments and advise on transitioning toward low-carbon portfolios. It directly affects the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (which manages retirement funds for over 5 million federal employees) by requiring the panel to assess fossil fuel investments, examine other pension funds' climate strategies, and produce a report within one year. Key mechanisms include creating a new "Climate Choice Stock Index Fund" that excludes fossil fuel companies (if the Board determines fossil fuel investments aren't financially sound), and mandating annual climate cost reports from the Federal Reserve and SEC. The bill focuses on aligning retirement fund investments with climate risk management while maintaining financial responsibility, without mandating immediate divestment.