Rep. Lizzie Fletcher

Maddy summaryThe Skills Against Violence Act of 2024 creates a new federal workforce program to help survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, trafficking, and harassment secure employment. It authorizes grants to states, local governments, tribes, and qualified nonprofits to fund job training, counseling, workplace re-entry support, and critical services like childcare, transportation, legal aid, and mental health counseling. The program requires grantees to track outcomes (e.g., number of survivors served, job placements) and report annually to the Office on Violence Against Women, with a summary report to Congress every two years starting in 2026. Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

Maddy summaryHRES 1448 is a non-binding House resolution stating that the House believes every person has the right to emergency health care, including abortion care, during medical emergencies. It specifically addresses concerns that abortion restrictions force medical providers to choose between treating patients in life-threatening situations or risking criminal charges. The resolution highlights that such restrictions disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, low-income individuals, and LGBTQI+ patients. It does not change existing laws but expresses congressional support for ensuring access to emergency care without legal barriers. The resolution was introduced by multiple House members and referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Maddy summaryHRES 1432 designates September 10, 2024, as "National Firearm Suicide Prevention Day" to raise public awareness about firearm suicides and promote safe storage practices. The resolution encourages healthcare professionals to discuss safe firearm storage with patients and supports the day's goals of reducing firearm suicides through education. It directly affects the general public and healthcare providers by highlighting evidence that safe storage lowers suicide risk, referencing statistics like 54.6% of U.S. suicides in 2022 involving firearms. The bill is symbolic, with no new legal requirements, and aligns with existing awareness efforts like Firearm Suicide Prevention Day.

Maddy summaryThe Active Shooter Alert Act of 2024 establishes a national coordination system for active shooter alerts by designating a Department of Justice Coordinator. The Coordinator will work with federal agencies (FEMA, FCC, Transportation) and state/local governments to develop voluntary best practices for alert systems, including geotargeted notifications, multilingual messaging, and training for transportation authorities. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on state adoption of protocols and mandates a Comptroller General study on state response times to active shooter alerts, funded by $2 million for the Department of Justice. It does not mandate state adoption but encourages coordination to improve alert effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThe NO BAN Act (HR 9244) prohibits U.S. immigration authorities from denying visas or entry based on national origin, religion, or sex. It amends immigration law to explicitly ban such discrimination in visa decisions and tightens restrictions on the president’s power to suspend entry of certain groups under Section 212(f). The bill requires specific evidence, narrow tailoring, time limits, and congressional notification for any entry restriction, while mandating public reports on visa denials and waivers. It directly affects nonimmigrant visa applicants (e.g., students, workers) and federal agencies administering immigration policy.

Maddy summaryHR 9253, the National Gun Violence Research Act, repeals longstanding restrictions that blocked federal funding for gun violence research, including the 1996 Dickey Amendment. It establishes a National Gun Violence Research Program to support scientific studies on gun-related injury and death, with $200 million authorized over six years (2025-2030). The program directs agencies like the CDC, NIH, and National Institute of Justice to fund research, train researchers, develop safety standards, and share gun trace data with researchers through new protocols. This bill directly affects federal research institutions and public health agencies by enabling evidence-based study of gun violence causes and prevention strategies.

Maddy summaryHRES 1394 is a non-binding resolution celebrating the U.S.-India partnership based on shared democratic values, religious pluralism, and human rights, while highlighting the contributions of the Indian diaspora in the United States. It specifically recognizes the 50th anniversary of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha's community work, including its spiritual centers (mandirs) and volunteer efforts across the country. The resolution does not create legal obligations but formally acknowledges these ties and achievements.

Maddy summaryHR 9196, the Pregnancy Empowerment Act of 2024, prohibits states from delaying or denying divorce petitions solely because a person is pregnant. This directly affects pregnant individuals - particularly women of color and those experiencing intimate partner violence - who face barriers to finalizing divorces during pregnancy, trapping them in abusive relationships. The bill mandates that states cannot consider pregnancy status when processing divorce filings, addressing findings that such delays increase risks of violence and reproductive coercion. It aims to remove legal obstacles that prevent pregnant people from accessing divorce, a critical step for safety and autonomy.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently removes a 2026 expiration date for a tax exclusion allowing employers to pay employees' student loans through educational assistance programs without those payments being counted as taxable income. It directly affects employees who receive employer-sponsored student loan repayment assistance and employers offering such programs. The key provision amends the Internal Revenue Code to make this tax exclusion permanent, applying to all future payments made after the bill's enactment. This change simplifies the tax treatment for both employers and employees participating in these student loan repayment programs.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 193 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate legal immunity for federal officials, including the President, from criminal prosecution for actions taken while performing official duties. It also prohibits the President from granting a pardon to themselves. The amendment would apply to all federal officers (such as the President, Vice President, and members of Congress) except for Congress members acting in their legislative role as defined in the Constitution. If ratified by 38 states, this change would become part of the U.S. Constitution, requiring no further congressional action.