Rep. Becca Balint

Maddy summaryHRES 1436 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. It recognizes suicide as a preventable public health crisis by citing statistics from the CDC, VA, and SAMHSA showing rising suicide rates across age groups, including veterans and adolescents. The resolution formally supports designating September as "National Suicide Prevention Month" and September 10, 2024, as "World Suicide Prevention Day." It does not create new policies, allocate funding, or directly affect any individuals - its purpose is solely to express congressional support for suicide prevention awareness and efforts.

Maddy summaryHRES 1422 is a resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act (enacted in 1964), which established the National Wilderness Preservation System. The resolution commends advocates for the Act, acknowledges wilderness areas' role in protecting over 112 million acres of public lands, and highlights their benefits for recreation, clean water, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. It specifically emphasizes the importance of including Tribal governments in wilderness designation and management. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any group.

Maddy summaryHR 8305, the Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act, provides financial relief to timber harvesting and hauling businesses that suffer significant revenue losses due to major disasters. It authorizes payments equal to 10% of a business's gross revenue during a 30-day period or quarter if revenue drops by at least 10% compared to the same period in the previous year, including losses from insect infestations declared as disasters. Payments must be used solely for operating expenses and are funded with $50 million annually for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The program targets small timber businesses directly impacted by events like wildfires or pest outbreaks, with the USDA administering the payments and reporting recipient details to Congress.

Maddy summaryHRES 1419 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Overdose Awareness Day and committing the House to strengthen efforts against the opioid crisis. It does not create new law but formally: (1) recognizes Overdose Awareness Day, (2) pledges to advance bipartisan policies reducing stigma around substance use disorders, and (3) commits to collaborating with states, communities, and organizations to support prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services. The resolution highlights the crisis' severity - including 932,000 overdose deaths since 1999 and a $1 trillion annual economic burden - but focuses on shared goals rather than specific policy changes. It directly affects congressional action and public messaging, not individual citizens or programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the USDA to improve data collection for organic dairy farmers. It mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to track costs of organic feedstuffs (like corn, soybeans, and pasture), establish a monthly survey of organic milk prices paid to farmers (covering major production regions), and publish updated reports with organic milk data equivalent to conventional milk reports. The data collected will include regional organic milk production volumes, feed prices, and the average price farmers receive for their milk. These reports will help organic dairy farmers, processors, and policymakers understand market conditions and production costs.

Maddy summaryHR 9337, the "Don’t STEAL Act," requires employers to pay employees the full wage rate specified in their employment contracts (including collective bargaining agreements) if it exceeds the minimum rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This directly affects workers engaged in commerce or production for commerce, ensuring they receive agreed-upon higher wages. The bill adds criminal penalties for willful wage theft, including fines and up to 5 years in prison for violations exceeding $1,000, with penalties based on severity and business size. It also directs fines collected from violations to fund the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division enforcement efforts. The law applies to unpaid wages or overtime violations occurring 90 days after enactment.

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.

Maddy summaryThe Lake Champlain Basin Program Reauthorization Act of 2024 reauthorizes the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program Foundation, which supports environmental protection and restoration efforts in Lake Champlain and its watershed across parts of New York and Vermont, and potentially Quebec. The bill establishes a Steering Committee with members from New York, Vermont, and Canadian authorities to develop and implement a comprehensive pollution prevention, ecosystem protection, and climate change response plan. This plan will guide funding for projects that protect water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, and cultural resources in the Lake Champlain Basin. The legislation authorizes $45 million annually for the Foundation through 2034 to support these efforts, with additional funding for grant assistance to state agencies and organizations. The Foundation will coordinate with federal, state, local, and Canadian partners to address environmental challenges in the Lake Champlain region.

Maddy summaryThe Corner Post Reversal Act amends federal law to establish a six-year deadline for filing lawsuits challenging federal agency actions. It requires that any legal challenge to an agency decision must be initiated within six years of the agency's final action, unless another law specifies a different timeframe. This change directly affects individuals, organizations, or entities seeking to contest agency decisions in court by limiting the window for legal action. The bill does not alter substantive policies but modifies procedural rules governing judicial review of agency actions.

Maddy summaryHR 8975, the Small Dollar Donor Protection Act, requires political committees to disclose contributions from individuals totaling less than $200 per election cycle - previously exempt from reporting. This change directly affects candidate committees and political organizations that receive small donations, mandating they report both the total amount and number of such contributions. The bill also directs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to issue compliance guidance within 90 days and conduct a study on deceptive solicitation tactics within 180 days, reporting findings and recommendations to Congress. The policy aims to increase transparency for small contributions without altering the $200 disclosure threshold itself.