Rep. Lloyd Doggett

Maddy summaryThe Agricultural Worker Justice Act (HR 4978) improves working conditions for agricultural and meatpacking workers through several key provisions. It requires USDA to only purchase from entities paying prevailing wages (based on local rates and collective bargaining agreements), prohibits stock buybacks by USDA-funded companies, and creates a list of companies with labor violations that would be ineligible for USDA contracts. The bill establishes new safety standards for meatpacking plants including restrictions on line speeds (requiring safety inspections before increases), requirements for toilet facilities, and enhanced protections for workers reporting safety concerns. It also mandates a GAO report on racial disparities in meatpacking employment and authorizes $400 million for local food purchase programs. The bill directly affects meatpacking facilities, agricultural businesses receiving USDA funds, and the workers employed in these industries.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to require all U.S. colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to create detailed anti-harassment policies covering physical, online, and institution-sponsored settings. It mandates policies prohibiting harassment based on race, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, religion, and other protected characteristics, including harassment via institutional email, computers, or electronic messaging. The bill also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund colleges developing prevention programs, victim support services, and training for students and staff on recognizing and addressing harassment. These policies and grants must comply with existing civil rights laws like Title IX but add specific requirements for reporting and prevention.

Maddy summaryThe REDUCE Act of 2023 imposes an excise tax on virgin plastic resin and certain single-use plastic products, starting at 10 cents per pound in 2024 and increasing to 20 cents per pound by 2026 (with annual inflation adjustments). The tax applies to manufacturers, producers, and importers of plastic products, with exemptions for small businesses producing less than 10 tons annually. Revenue from the tax will fund the Plastic Waste Reduction Fund, which will support recycling infrastructure, reuse systems, and marine debris cleanup efforts. The bill specifically excludes medical products, certain packaging, and hygiene items from the tax requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 5610 establishes a 15-member Commission to examine historical discrimination against LGBTQ+ service members and veterans. The Commission will document policies targeting LGBTQ+ individuals in the military since WWII, gather testimonies from affected veterans, and analyze impacts on mental health, benefits access, and financial stability. It must hold public hearings, examine how discrimination affected racial minorities and women within the military, and recommend solutions like record corrections, improved benefits for LGBTQ+ veterans, and better diversity training. The Commission will submit a final report to Congress within one year, proposing concrete steps to address past harms and improve inclusion in the military.

Maddy summaryHRES 703 is a symbolic resolution supporting the designation of September 2023 as "National Voting Rights Month" to raise awareness about voting access. It encourages all U.S. citizens to uphold voting rights, urges Congress to pass specific voting rights legislation (like the Freedom to Vote Act and Democracy Restoration Act), and recommends that schools teach about voting history and current voter access issues. The resolution does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups, but it aims to promote broader public engagement with voting rights through education and advocacy. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses support for these goals without implementing any concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act would expand benefits for part-time workers by reducing the eligibility requirement for family and medical leave from 12 months to 90 days, applying to federal, state, and congressional employees. It prohibits employers from discriminating against part-time workers based on hours worked, requiring equal treatment in compensation, benefits, and promotion opportunities. The bill mandates employers to obtain written statements from employees about desired work hours and prioritize scheduling existing employees before hiring new staff or using contractors. It applies to employers with more than 15 employees across various sectors and establishes enforcement through the Department of Labor with civil penalties for violations. The bill would take effect one year after enactment, with regulations to be issued within 180 days of passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish the Civilian Climate Corps, a national workforce program that would employ and train 50,000 to 400,000 young adults annually through 2028 to work on climate-related projects. The program would provide participants with a minimum living allowance of $17 per hour, health care benefits, and $25,000 in educational benefits per term of service. It would require 50% of projects to be located in under-resourced communities (with 10% specifically in Indian country) and ensure at least 50% of participants come from these communities. The Corps would focus on climate resilience, clean energy infrastructure, environmental remediation, and creating career pathways in the growing clean economy sector.

Maddy summaryThe Schedules That Work Act (HR 5563) requires employers in retail, food service, cleaning, hospitality, and warehouse sectors to provide workers with at least 14 days' advance notice of their work schedules and to pay predictability pay for last-minute schedule changes. It allows employees to request schedule modifications for caregiving, health conditions, education, or second jobs, with employers required to grant such requests unless they have a bona fide business reason for denial. The bill also prohibits scheduling shifts less than 11 hours apart without employee consent and mandates employers to provide estimates of monthly work hours for the following year. These provisions aim to address the widespread problem of unpredictable schedules that disproportionately impact low-wage workers, particularly women and workers of color, who often lack control over their work hours.

Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 amends the Animal Welfare Act to strengthen enforcement of animal welfare standards. It gives the Attorney General authority to bring civil cases for violations, including seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation and injunctions to remove or relocate animals. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and Attorney General to coordinate through a new Memorandum of Understanding, focusing on repeat violators. These changes directly affect dealers, exhibitors, and enforcement agencies by expanding civil enforcement tools and clarifying jurisdiction over rule violations.

Maddy summaryThe John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 would strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by updating the criteria for which states and localities must obtain federal preclearance before changing voting practices. It would establish new standards for proving vote dilution and vote denial by requiring courts to consider historical discrimination, racial polarization in voting, and whether voting practices disproportionately burden minority voters. The bill would also require states and localities to provide public notice of voting changes and share demographic data about polling locations. These changes would primarily affect jurisdictions with a history of voting rights violations, aiming to prevent discriminatory voting practices before they take effect.