Rep. Al Green

Maddy summaryHRES 633 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Prince Hall (1735-1807), recognizing him as the founder of Black Freemasonry and a Revolutionary Era activist. It commemorates his role in establishing African Lodge #1 (later No. 459) in 1775 after being denied entry to a White Masonic lodge, his advocacy for abolition, and his petitions to Massachusetts authorities on slavery and Black sailors' rights. The resolution formally acknowledges his lasting impact on the African-American fight for justice through community advocacy and Masonic leadership. As a non-binding commemorative measure, it does not create new laws or affect any policies or individuals.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 634) is a ceremonial recognition, not a policy bill. It formally honors former Texas State Representative Al Edwards for authoring Texas House Bill 1016 in 1979, which made Texas the first state to establish June 19 (Juneteenth) as an official state holiday. The resolution acknowledges Edwards' decades-long advocacy for Juneteenth's recognition, including his role in creating the Texas Emancipation Juneteenth Cultural and Historical Commission and his work that contributed to Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday. It specifically designates Edwards as "the father of Juneteenth" for his foundational efforts in establishing the holiday.

Maddy summaryHRES 632 is a resolution honoring Reverend Nat Turner for his 1831 rebellion against slavery and his efforts to apply the Declaration of Independence's principle that "all men are created equal" to enslaved people. It recognizes his historical role in the abolition movement and encourages continued study of racial justice struggles, including figures like Turner. The resolution also calls for observing Slavery Remembrance Day to reflect on those who suffered under slavery. (Note: As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or policies.)

Maddy summaryHR 4917, the Expanding the VOTE Act, amends the Voting Rights Act to increase language access for voters. It expands the definition of "voting materials" to include digital formats and requires states to provide language assistance (both written and oral) for minority language groups, with special provisions for American Indian and Alaska Native languages when written translations aren't feasible. The bill creates grants to help jurisdictions provide voting materials in languages that don't currently trigger Section 203 coverage, and mandates a study on lowering population thresholds for language assistance requirements. This directly affects states, local election jurisdictions, and voters who speak minority languages, including those in communities not currently covered by existing language access rules.

Maddy summaryHR 4912, the Help America Run Act, amends federal campaign finance law to allow candidates to use campaign funds for essential personal expenses like childcare, elder care, and health insurance premiums (excluding current officeholders for health insurance). This directly affects everyday Americans - particularly working parents, caregivers, and those relying on employer health insurance - who face economic barriers to running for office. The bill’s key provision expands permissible campaign expenditures to cover these services when necessary for campaign activities or holding federal office. It aims to reduce financial hurdles for non-wealthy candidates, addressing findings that Congress underrepresents working-class individuals and women. The change would take effect upon the bill’s enactment.

Youth Voting Rights Act This bill expands voting access for youth. Specifically, the bill establishes a private right of action to enforce the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, which prohibits denying or abridging the right to vote based on age. Further, the bill authorizes the Department of Justice to enforce the Twenty-Sixth Amendment against age-based restrictions for voting by mail. Additionally, the bill directs each state to designate as voter registration agencies all offices within public institutions of higher education (IHEs) that provide assistance to students, implement a preregistration process to allow minors who are 16 years or older to register to vote in federal elections that take place when or after the preregistered individual turns age 18, and ensure the availability of polling places on campuses of IHEs (with the availability of waivers). The bill prohibits durational residency requirements for voting in all federal elections. Currently, this prohibition applies only to voting for the offices of President and Vice President. States and local jurisdictions with voter identification requirements must treat IHE-issued student identification cards as voter identification. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must make grants to states to increase the involvement of individuals under age 18 in public election activities. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on trends related to voter registration, absentee voting, and provisional voting. The EAC must also collect and make publicly available certain data from states.

Maddy summaryThe Election Mail Act (HR 4915) establishes new standards for handling voting-by-mail materials in Federal elections. It requires the Postal Service to process absentee ballots the same day received, add postmarks showing mailing dates, and treat election mail as first-class with free postage for completed ballots. States must provide ballot return envelopes with tracking barcodes and accept mailed ballots postmarked on election day if received within 7 days. These provisions apply to Federal elections starting in 2026, with some requirements taking effect sooner.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award a gold medal to honor Africans and their descendants who were enslaved in the U.S. from 1619 to 1865. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, will be displayed at the National Museum of African-American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. The bill focuses on recognizing the historical contribution of enslaved people to America's economic foundation without proposing new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThe Ending Homelessness Act of 2025 would expand housing assistance to reduce homelessness through several key provisions. It would allocate 500,000 additional housing choice vouchers in 2025, increasing to 1 million annually by 2028 for extremely low-income families and individuals receiving supplemental security income. The bill prohibits housing discrimination based on source of income (including housing vouchers and Social Security benefits), provides $1 billion annually for emergency relief grants targeting high-need areas, and establishes a permanent entitlement program for housing vouchers starting in 2029. It also repeals certain ineligibility criteria for housing assistance and makes faith-based and private nonprofit organizations eligible for funding.

Maddy summaryThe Time Off to Vote Act requires employers with 25 or more employees to provide two hours of paid leave for federal elections. Employees can use this leave to vote in person, return mail-in ballots, or perform other voting activities during open polling hours. Employers may set the specific two-hour window (excluding lunch breaks) but cannot deny the leave, retaliate against employees who take it, or cause loss of accrued benefits. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, enforced by the Department of Labor.