Rep. Terri A. Sewell

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the military to approve leave for abortion and fertility care without commanders needing to know the specific procedure. It mandates reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, and transportation costs when care isn't available nearby, and prohibits punishment for using this leave. It directly affects active-duty service members and their dependents who face barriers to reproductive care due to military restrictions or location. The policy change removes command discretion in approving leave for time-sensitive reproductive health services.

Maddy summaryHRES 1051 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Mobile, Alabama, as the origin of the oldest continuous Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, dating to 1703. It formally acknowledges Mobile's historical significance as the birthplace of the Carnival tradition, citing its 300+ year tradition of parades and festivities marking the end of Carnival before Lent. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely commemorative, affirming cultural heritage without altering laws or affecting any group. It was introduced by Alabama representatives and referred to the Oversight Committee.

Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act This bill requires providers of connected vehicle services, upon the request of a domestic violence survivor, to terminate or disable an identified domestic abuser’s access to a vehicle’s connected capabilities and data. Specifically, within two business days of receiving a request from a survivor, a covered provider must, if technically feasible (1) terminate or disable the connected vehicle account associated with the identified abuser or the relevant vehicle, or the vehicle’s connected capabilities; or (2) instruct the survivor on how to terminate or disable connected services directly. Covered providers may not make the termination of connected vehicle services or accounts contingent on any requirement other than the provision of specified information by the survivor. For example, a provider may not require a survivor to pay a fee or extend their contract with the provider. Under the bill, an abuser is an individual identified by a survivor who committed or allegedly committed certain acts against the survivor, including domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking. A survivor is an adult against whom such an act was committed. Further, a covered provider is a vehicle manufacturer, affiliate, or entity acting on behalf of a manufacturer that provides a connected vehicle service. Connected vehicle service is any capability that enables a person to remotely access data from or send commands to a vehicle. Finally, the Federal Communications Commission must prescribe regulations governing how covered providers address survivors’ requests related to connected vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies tax credit rules to help businesses recover after disasters. It allows businesses operating in designated disaster areas to treat certain unused tax credits (carryforwards) as transferrable credits against current tax liability, rather than letting them expire. Specifically, it applies to taxpayers making eligible expenditures for business operations in areas with a major disaster declaration after December 31, 2023, or a state-declared disaster meeting specific criteria. The change affects businesses in affected zones by providing immediate tax relief for qualifying expenses incurred within two years of the disaster declaration. It does not involve energy policy or new funding, but adjusts existing tax credit rules for disaster recovery.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a hiring freeze on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prohibiting the use of federal funds to hire new employees or transfer existing federal workers to ICE. The freeze begins upon the bill's enactment and automatically ends when Congress passes a specific law overriding it. It directly affects ICE's staffing capabilities by halting new appointments and transfers using federal funding. The measure is procedural, focusing solely on restricting hiring authority without altering immigration enforcement policies.

Maddy summaryHRES 1040 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the Greensboro Four sit-in during Black History Month. It commemorates the 66th anniversary of the February 1, 1960, sit-in at a Greensboro Woolworth's lunch counter, where four Black students challenged racial segregation. The resolution encourages states to include the Greensboro Four's history and contributions in school curricula. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but formally honors this pivotal civil rights moment.

Maddy summaryHRES 1039 is a symbolic resolution supporting National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day observed annually on February 7. It highlights that Black Americans account for disproportionate HIV impacts (e.g., 39% of new diagnoses despite representing 12% of the U.S. population) and urges state/local health agencies to promote HIV testing, reduce stigma, and prioritize minority-led HIV services. The resolution encourages alignment with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and emphasizes culturally competent care, but does not create new funding or enforceable requirements. It serves as a non-binding endorsement of existing efforts to address racial disparities in HIV prevention and treatment.

Maddy summaryHR 7385 establishes a federal grant program to expand access to HIV prevention through PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for uninsured individuals at high risk of HIV infection. The bill authorizes $400 million annually (2027-2031) to fund grants for eligible entities like clinics, community organizations, and tribal governments to cover PrEP-related costs - including medication, testing, counseling, and transportation - without requiring patient payment. Priority is given to programs serving rural areas, uninsured populations, or high-risk demographic groups, with grantees required to contribute 10% of program costs (except for certain health centers). The program also mandates a "PrEP Pass" card system to streamline access and requires annual reports tracking usage by race, gender, age, and location to measure impact on HIV prevention disparities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new funding eligibility for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) that offer approved master's degree programs. It amends existing law to add specific categories (subsections S for HBCUs and F for PBIs) allowing these institutions to access federal funds previously restricted to certain program types. The key mechanism expands funding access by adjusting how remaining funds are allocated after initial disbursements. Directly affects qualifying HBCUs and PBIs meeting both the institution type and master's program criteria.

Maddy summaryThe PASTEUR Act of 2026 creates a new government contracting program to incentivize development of new antimicrobial drugs for treating drug-resistant infections. The Health and Human Services Secretary would award contracts to pharmaceutical sponsors meeting specific criteria on clinical benefits, innovation, and public health impact, with annual payments ranging from $75 million to $300 million (adjusted for inflation). Contract requirements include ensuring drug availability, tracking resistance data, promoting appropriate use, and maintaining supply chains. The bill also establishes antimicrobial stewardship programs for hospitals and outpatient facilities and improves surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance. This legislation aims to address antibiotic resistance by creating financial incentives for new treatments and improving how antimicrobials are used and monitored.