Rep. Jennifer L. McClellan

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and enhances NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Office to strengthen science-based management of the Bay ecosystem. It establishes new programs for integrated coastal monitoring (collecting data on water quality and habitats), expands school-based education initiatives for students and teachers, and funds habitat restoration projects targeting species like oysters, blue crabs, and submerged vegetation. The bill authorizes $17 million in fiscal year 2024, increasing to $22.6 million by 2027, and requires biennial reports to Congress on progress. These provisions directly support NOAA's work with the Chesapeake Executive Council, state agencies, and educational institutions to advance the Chesapeake Bay Program's goals.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 102 is a non-binding symbolic resolution supporting International Transgender Day of Visibility, introduced by multiple House members. It formally encourages the U.S. to observe the day with ceremonies and programs, celebrates transgender community achievements, and recognizes their ongoing fight for equality amid documented discrimination in employment, healthcare, housing, and public spaces. The resolution highlights transgender representation in politics (including 21 state legislators) and historical context, while acknowledging rising anti-transgender legislation. It directly affirms the transgender community's visibility and rights without creating new policies or funding.

Maddy summaryHRES 1110 is a symbolic resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in March 2024 to commemorate March 2024 as National Women’s History Month. It formally supports the month’s goals, recognizes women and organizations advancing women’s history education, and highlights the intersectional contributions of Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, and disabled women throughout U.S. history. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment of historical milestones and ongoing advocacy for gender equality. It directly affects all Americans by affirming the significance of women’s historical contributions through official congressional recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the federal government to launch a national public health education campaign about abortion access. It requires the Secretary of Health to provide medically accurate, culturally competent information on where to access abortion services (including medication abortion and telehealth), legality, identifying misleading crisis pregnancy centers, and spotting misinformation. The campaign specifically targets underserved groups like communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people in rural areas. It prohibits promoting misinformation about abortion safety, abortion reversal, or abstinence-only programs, and bans collecting personal data from users. The effort aims to improve access to reliable information, not to change abortion laws.

Maddy summaryHRES 1101 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for collaborating with the Congressional Black Caucus to develop a "Black Wealth Agenda." It commits the House to outlining legislative priorities focused on closing the racial wealth gap through key areas like expanding Black entrepreneurship, reforming housing policies, building workforce development programs, and updating the federal minimum wage. The resolution emphasizes addressing systemic barriers in homeownership, education access, employment discrimination, and tax policy to advance economic equity for Black communities. It does not create new laws but directs the House to coordinate with the CBC on policy solutions targeting wealth-building opportunities.

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 summaryHR 7736, the CONSENT Act, creates a civil remedy for individuals 18+ who receive unsolicited sexually explicit images or videos without their consent. It allows victims to sue senders in federal court for statutory damages up to $500 or compensation for emotional distress, plus attorney fees and injunctions to stop further transmissions. The bill explicitly excludes third-party platforms (like social media), medical/educational uses, and 18+ websites from liability. It defines "machine-manipulated media" (including AI-generated content) as covered under "visual depictions" and includes special protections for minors, allowing them to use initials in court filings. The law does not affect existing criminal penalties for non-consensual sharing.

Maddy summaryHR 7651, the Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act, establishes a federal program to fund research and development for better methane leak detection and mitigation technologies in the natural gas infrastructure. The bill directs the Secretary of Energy to create a Methane Emissions Measurement and Mitigation Research Consortium (including oil/gas operators, researchers, and community groups) to share data, prioritize research, and develop best practices for pipelines, wells, and storage facilities. It authorizes $36 million to $44 million annually (2025-2029) for this program and $15 million to $23 million annually for National Institute of Standards and Technology facilities to test methane measurement technologies. The effort directly affects oil and gas operators through improved leak detection tools and aims to protect public health by addressing methane emissions from infrastructure. The bill focuses solely on research, not regulatory requirements, with annual congressional reporting on progress.

Maddy summaryHR 7634, the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, prohibits plastic pellets and pre-production plastic materials from being discharged into water through wastewater, spills, or runoff from specific facilities. It directly affects plastic polymer production facilities, plastic molding and forming facilities, and any point source (like packaging or transport operations) handling plastic pellets. The bill requires the EPA to issue a final rule within 60 days of enactment banning these discharges and updating all relevant wastewater, stormwater, and performance standards in permits and regulations. This creates a legal requirement for facilities to prevent plastic pellet pollution in waterways, targeting a major source of ocean plastic pollution.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCONRES 97) recognizes the gender wage gap, noting that women working full-time earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by men. It highlights racial disparities (e.g., Latinas earn 57 cents, Black women 69 cents) and the economic impact of the gap, including $965 billion in annual lost wages for women. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the issue and reaffirms Congress’s commitment to addressing wage inequality.