Rep. Terri A. Sewell

Maddy summaryHRES 1086 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the Clotilda as the last known ship to illegally bring enslaved Africans to the U.S. in 1860 (carrying 110 people) and condemning the U.S. government's historical role in enabling the transatlantic slave trade. It acknowledges the lasting harm of slavery on African Americans, specifically honoring the descendants who established Africatown in Alabama and maintaining cultural heritage. The resolution urges support for preserving Africatown and encourages the Architect of the Capitol to consider a memorial on Capitol grounds for the Clotilda and all victims of the slave trade. As a non-binding resolution, it has no policy or funding impact.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1088) is a non-binding House of Representatives measure recognizing the importance of Black history museums and cultural institutions. It formally acknowledges their role in preserving Black American history and contributions, particularly in relation to the 2026 100th anniversary of Black History Month and the U.S. 250th anniversary. The resolution urges the House to affirm that Black history is foundational to American history and calls for federal agencies to support these institutions through funding and partnerships. It also encourages the public to visit these museums, support them financially, and engage with their educational resources. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding, but serves as a symbolic endorsement of these institutions' cultural and historical significance.

Maddy summaryHR 7736, the RELIEF Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on imports entered on or after January 1, 2025. It directly affects importers of record by mandating automatic refunds within 90 days of the bill's enactment, without requiring them to submit applications or protests. The bill directs Customs to use existing data to calculate and disburse refunds for all affected tariff collections, including entries involving goods withdrawn from warehouse for consumption. This policy change eliminates the need for importers to seek refunds through separate processes, streamlining the recovery of overpaid duties.

Maddy summaryHR 7740, the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes $4 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and support teaching about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create digital and print materials, provide teacher training, and expand access to curriculum resources for K-12 and college classrooms. It requires annual reports to Congress on fund usage and expires in 2030. This program directly affects educators and students by enhancing classroom materials and professional development on African American history.

Maddy summaryHRES 1077 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for the U.S. Postal Service to honor Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley with a commemorative stamp. It directly requests the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (part of the USPS) to recommend such a stamp to the Postmaster General. The resolution highlights Adams Earley’s historic role as the first Black officer in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), her leadership of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during WWII, and her post-war advocacy for Black leadership development. This resolution does not create new law or funding but formally urges the USPS to recognize her legacy through a postage stamp.

Maddy summaryHRES 1078 is a procedural resolution requesting the President and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary to provide specific documents to the House of Representatives. It seeks records related to the December 2025 "Defend the Spend" freeze on child care funding, including communications about the freeze, payment delays, social media posts alleging fraud, and related legal analyses. The resolution specifically targets documents concerning the freeze's impact on States, Tribes, and Territories receiving child care funds under federal programs. The request requires these documents to be submitted within 14 days of the resolution's adoption. This is a congressional oversight measure, not a policy change, focused on transparency around an existing funding freeze.

Maddy summaryHRES 1080 is a symbolic resolution recognizing and celebrating Black History Month 2026, focusing on its theme "A Century of Black History Commemorations." It highlights historical figures and events central to Black history, including Carter G. Woodson’s founding of Negro History Week (the precursor to Black History Month), Juneteenth, and key moments like the 1865 Charleston commemoration. The resolution emphasizes how Black history commemorations counter historical erasure and affirm Black contributions to U.S. history, referencing figures like Mary McLeod Bethune and W.E.B. Du Bois. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding effect but aims to raise awareness of Black achievements through official recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires states to create and maintain searchable online directories of career and technical education programs. Each directory must list programs by school district, industry focus, and credentials earned, using open, standardized data formats that work together. States must update the directories annually and include details like course sequences, work-based learning opportunities, and evidence linking programs to local job market needs. These directories directly affect state education agencies and school districts operating career training programs under the Perkins Act.

Maddy summaryHR 7685, the Healthy Hair Act, amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to classify hair straightening or smoothing products containing formaldehyde (or formaldehyde-releasing substances) as "adulterated" when sold across state lines after an 180-day grace period. It directly affects hair product manufacturers, salons, and workers who use or handle these products. The bill mandates a two-part study by the FDA and NIOSH on health impacts like cancer and respiratory issues for salon workers exposed to formaldehyde, requiring an initial report within one year and a final report within two years and two months. The study will inform future regulatory actions but does not ban formaldehyde products immediately.

Maddy summaryHR 7615, the RELIEF Act, requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner to refund all tariffs collected under emergency economic powers laws (specifically the International Emergency Economic Powers Act) for imports entered on or after January 1, 2025. It mandates these refunds be processed automatically within 90 days of the bill's enactment, without importers needing to file applications or protests. The refund applies to all importers of record for goods subject to these tariffs, covering entries including withdrawals from warehouses for consumption. This directly affects businesses importing goods subject to those specific tariffs by returning funds collected under the emergency authority.