Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

Maddy summaryHR 9104, the Access to Birth Control Act, requires pharmacies that normally stock contraception to provide birth control or related medications without delay if in stock, or immediately offer alternatives like referrals to other pharmacies or expedited orders if unavailable. It prohibits pharmacists from intimidating customers, misrepresenting availability, breaching confidentiality, or refusing to fill valid prescriptions for birth control. Pharmacies violating these rules face civil penalties up to $1,000 per day or private lawsuits. The law specifically applies to pharmacies that routinely carry contraception and excludes cases where a valid prescription is missing or payment cannot be made. It aims to address documented refusals to dispense birth control, particularly following the Dobbs decision.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to meet specific on-time delivery performance standards for periodicals (newspapers and magazines) before the Postal Regulatory Commission can approve new rate increases for those services. It mandates annual public reports tracking USPS's on-time delivery performance for both in-county and out-of-county newspaper mail, with requirements for data collection if individual mail tracking isn't feasible. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study alternative pricing models for periodicals that don't cover their costs, with a report due within two years. These provisions directly affect USPS operations, newspaper publishers, and the postal rate-setting process, aiming to link service quality to financial decisions.

Maddy summaryHRES 1349 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the success of the Food for Peace Act, which provides U.S. humanitarian food aid to global populations facing hunger. It does not create new policy or funding but formally acknowledges the program’s impact - such as reaching 53 million people with emergency aid in 2022 - and highlights global hunger statistics (e.g., 783 million people hungry in 2022). The resolution urges continued U.S. funding prioritization for the program but has no binding effect or direct policy changes. It directly affects no new groups, as it solely expresses congressional support for an existing aid program.

Maddy summaryHR 8988, the "Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act," expands federal law to prohibit foreign-controlled businesses from influencing U.S. elections. It bans contributions or spending by any for-profit business entity where foreign nationals own 50% or more of voting shares, or where foreign entities collectively own 5% or more (or exert control over election activities). Businesses must certify compliance before making election-related spending, including contributions to political committees, and recipients cannot reuse uncertified funds for further election activities. This bill directly affects foreign-owned corporations, partnerships, and similar entities seeking to participate in U.S. elections.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 118 is a symbolic congressional resolution recognizing the wage disparity faced by Black women in the U.S. It specifically highlights that Black women earn 69 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men, as noted in Census Bureau data. The resolution marks July 9, 2024, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to symbolize how long into 2024 Black women must work to earn what White men earned in 2023. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges this disparity and reaffirms congressional support for equal pay for equal work.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Federal Employees' Compensation Act to include physician assistants and nurse practitioners as eligible providers for injured federal workers. It defines "other eligible provider" as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant within their state-authorized scope of practice. The law updates key sections to replace "physician" with "physician or other eligible provider" for treatment, certification, and claim processes. The Secretary must finalize implementing regulations within six months of enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 8891 amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a formal San Francisco Bay Restoration Program. It allows federal funding through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts for projects on an annual priority list, requiring at least 25% non-federal funding for grants (capping federal share at 75%) while permitting full federal coverage for other agreements. The bill directly affects federal, state, local, and nonprofit organizations, including the Estuary Partnership, working on Bay restoration projects. Key provisions define funding mechanisms and cost-sharing requirements to support specific restoration activities and studies.

Maddy summaryHRES 1332 is a symbolic resolution recognizing June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It encourages the celebration of Pride Month to honor the historical struggles and achievements of LGBTQIA+ people in the United States, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face. This resolution does not create new laws or policies, but serves as a formal recognition of LGBTQIA+ rights as human rights and highlights their integral role in American history. The resolution was introduced by multiple members of Congress and passed by the House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThe SAFES Act creates a federal tax credit for individuals who purchase gun safes, allowing them to deduct 90% of the cost, up to $500 per person or $1,000 for joint returns. For purchases made before 2030, any qualifying gun safe qualifies; after 2029, only safes meeting standards set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be eligible, based on an HHS report required within five years of enactment. The bill prohibits requiring taxpayers to disclose firearm ownership details to claim the credit. This policy directly affects individual firearm owners seeking to reduce tax liability through safe storage purchases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires background checks to block gun sales to people under court orders restricting firearm access before trial. It amends federal gun law to explicitly prohibit firearm purchases, possession, or receipt by individuals subject to such pretrial court orders. The law updates background check systems (like NICS) to include these orders, ensuring courts can prevent gun access during pending criminal cases. It directly affects individuals detained before trial who face court-mandated firearm restrictions.