Rep. Steny H. Hoyer

Maddy summaryHR 1954, the "Do No Harm Act," amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to clarify that RFRA does not override specific federal laws protecting against harm. It explicitly exempts provisions related to anti-discrimination (like the Civil Rights Act), workplace protections (wages, leave, collective activity), child safety, and healthcare access from RFRA's requirements. The bill ensures RFRA cannot be used to challenge government programs or contracts that provide these essential protections. It also clarifies that RFRA applies only to disputes involving government as a party, not private disputes between individuals. This change preserves existing legal safeguards while modifying RFRA's scope.

Maddy summaryHR 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, establishes a new system for identifying and managing high-risk wildfire areas called "firesheds" and creates a centralized Fireshed Center to coordinate wildfire risk management across federal agencies. The bill streamlines environmental reviews for wildfire risk reduction projects, allowing for faster implementation of hazardous fuels management activities in designated areas. It includes provisions for community wildfire risk reduction programs, water source protection, and specific initiatives for restoring white oak forests. The legislation also includes litigation reforms to expedite forest management projects and reduce delays from legal challenges. These provisions aim to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health through more coordinated, data-driven management approaches.

Maddy summaryHR 1851 increases the minimum required fighter aircraft inventory for the Air Force and its reserve components to 1,900 total and 1,200 for the reserve by October 2030, up from current levels (Section 2). The bill allows temporary reductions below these totals for recapitalization, but only for up to two years and with a floor of 1,800 aircraft, requiring congressional notification (Section 2). It mandates quarterly reports to Congress detailing new aircraft acquisitions, assignments, retirements, and recapitalization plans for both active and Air National Guard units (Section 3). The bill specifically protects 25 existing Air National Guard fighter squadrons from fleet reductions until 2030 and requires new aircraft to be assigned to service-retained units at a 3:1 ratio with legacy aircraft retirements (Sections 5, 6).

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by clarifying how to prove voting discrimination and expanding requirements for preclearance of voting changes. It establishes new standards for determining when voting practices dilute minority voting strength or deny/abridge voting rights, requiring plaintiffs to show specific conditions for vote dilution claims and including factors like historical discrimination and racial polarization in court analyses. The bill modifies the criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must seek preclearance for voting changes, and adds new transparency requirements for jurisdictions to publicly disclose changes to voting qualifications, polling locations, and election districts. It directly affects states and local governments that implement voting policies, particularly those with a history of voting rights violations or that make changes to voting qualifications, procedures, or district boundaries. The bill aims to prevent discriminatory voting practices by providing clearer standards for courts and requiring greater transparency in voting rule changes.

Maddy summaryThe Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 strengthens workers' organizing rights by making it an unfair labor practice for employers to threaten permanent replacement of striking workers, discriminate against workers who support unions, or require employees to attend employer campaigns unrelated to their job duties. It expands the definition of "employee" to make it harder for companies to classify workers as independent contractors and requires employers to post notices about workers' rights in conspicuous locations. The bill establishes a new electronic voting system for union elections, creates a 90-day bargaining period before mediation can be requested, and increases penalties for violations of labor laws. These changes are intended to make it easier for workers to form unions and negotiate better wages and working conditions.

Maddy summaryHRES 181 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Black History Month by highlighting the historical and ongoing contributions of Black labor to the U.S. economy and society. It commemorates Black labor from slavery through modern times, including agricultural work, unionization efforts (like A. Philip Randolph’s Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters), and contemporary issues like the racial wage gap (where Black workers earned $878 weekly vs. $1,059 for others in 2023). The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges these contributions to raise public awareness. It is sponsored by 70+ House members and aligns with the 2025 Black History Month theme focused on "African Americans and Labor." As a commemorative resolution, it has no direct effect on individuals or legislation.

Maddy summaryHRES 153 is a ceremonial resolution expressing condolences to the families and loved ones of the 67 victims who died in two aviation incidents: American Eagle Flight 5342 and U.S. Army flight PAT 25, which crashed near Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025. It specifically honors the victims - many connected to Wichita, Kansas (known as the "Air Capital of the World") - and extends sympathies to affected communities including Wichita, Kansas, and the National Capital Region. The resolution also commends first responders who aided in the recovery efforts. As a non-binding expression of sympathy with no policy changes, it does not affect laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 1787 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring baseball legend Roberto Clemente, including $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar coins, with specific specifications for weight, size, and metal content. The bill requires the coins to feature Clemente's image and commemorative inscriptions, and mandates a surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar) paid to the Roberto Clemente Foundation for its educational, youth sports, and disaster relief programs. All coins must be minted in 2027, sold at face value plus surcharge and production costs, and will be legal tender. The bill focuses solely on the coin program, not broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HJRES 63) would rename the Robert E. Lee Memorial, a National Park Service site in Arlington, Virginia, to "Arlington House National Historic Site." It directly affects the National Park Service, which manages the site, and all federal government documents, maps, and records referencing the location. The key provision updates all official references to the site to the new name and repeals two prior resolutions that established the memorial. As a procedural renaming bill, it does not create new policies or funding but changes the site's official designation.

Maddy summaryHR 1718 would establish the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site at Public School 103 in Baltimore, Maryland - the elementary school attended by Justice Thurgood Marshall - making it an affiliated area of the National Park System. The bill specifies that the Beloved Community Services Corporation, which currently owns and operates the building, will continue as the site's management entity. It requires the National Park Service to provide technical assistance and enter cooperative agreements for interpretation and preservation, but explicitly prohibits federal acquisition of the property or assumption of operational costs. This designation preserves the site for public education about Marshall's early life and legacy without altering ownership or federal financial responsibility.