Rep. Barbara Lee

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates the personal casualty loss tax deduction for victims of crimes, scams, or disasters, which was suspended after 2017. It allows taxpayers who filed returns before 2022 to amend their returns and claim this deduction, extending the filing window until the date of the bill's enactment. The extension specifically applies only to claims related to casualty loss deductions under IRS Section 165(h), not other tax adjustments. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and cover losses for which the deduction was unavailable at the time of original filing.

Maddy summaryHR 6888, the Clean Energy Workforce Act, provides $100 million in federal grants to develop clean energy job training programs. It directly affects local schools, career technical education centers, colleges, and industry partners by funding: (1) new or expanded training programs in clean energy fields (like renewable energy and climate adaptation), designed to be shared with other schools and accessible to diverse students; and (2) upgrades to school facilities to use renewable energy and improve energy efficiency. Grants require partnerships between educational institutions, industry representatives, and community groups to create replicable training that prepares students for jobs in growing clean energy sectors. The bill focuses on concrete workforce development, not environmental outcomes.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 81 is a symbolic concurrent resolution recognizing the anniversaries of multiple United Nations-designated international days focused on peace, such as the International Day of Peace (September 21), International Day of Non-Violence (October 2), and others. It commemorates specific milestones, including the 42nd anniversary of the International Day of Peace and the 5th anniversary of the International Day of Living Together in Peace. The resolution encourages U.S. citizens to observe these days and supports activities promoting peace, nonviolence, and cooperation throughout the year. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or requirements but expresses congressional support for global peace efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 6865, the "Allyship Act," requires the President to develop a detailed strategy toward Iran within 60 days, focusing on countering security threats, supporting Iranian human rights, improving internet access, and using frozen Iranian assets for Iranian citizens. It mandates targeted sanctions against Iranian officials involved in suppressing protests or restricting information, and establishes a $6,000 annual transfer mechanism for U.S. persons to send money to Iranians (excluding those sanctioned or working for Iranian authorities). The bill also creates a parole process for victims of political persecution in Iran and appoints a senior advisor to coordinate U.S. support for unjustly imprisoned Iranians and their families. These provisions directly affect U.S. policy implementation toward Iran and Iranian citizens seeking assistance.

Maddy summaryThe TRUTH in Labeling Act requires most packaged foods sold in the U.S. to display standardized front-of-package labels highlighting added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat content. These labels must be consistently placed, visually distinct, and large enough to read easily, based on guidelines from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue these labeling regulations within two years of enactment and then report to Congress on whether the labels have increased the availability of products with low- or no-calorie sweeteners, with a follow-up report required three years later. This affects food manufacturers who must comply with the labeling rules and aims to help all consumers - especially those with lower nutrition literacy - make more informed choices.

Maddy summaryThe Menopause Research and Equity Act of 2023 requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to evaluate existing and ongoing research on menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life women’s health, identifying gaps in knowledge and funding over the past five years. The NIH must then develop a strategic plan with health professionals (including specialists like gynecologists and endocrinologists) to address these gaps and guide future research on treatments for menopause symptoms. The bill also mandates new NIH research on causes, symptoms, and treatments for menopause-related health issues, including a study on hormonal treatments. All activities must be funded using existing NIH resources, with no new appropriations authorized. This aims to improve scientific understanding of women’s mid-life health needs.

Maddy summaryThe Public Banking Act of 2023 establishes a federal framework for public banks owned by state, tribal, or community entities. It creates a process for chartering public lending banks (which provide financial services to public entities) and public payment banks (which focus on payment services), while requiring democratic governance with community representation on boards. The bill sets specific lending preferences prioritizing environmental justice communities, quality job creation, and worker protections, while prohibiting loans to fossil fuel companies, private prisons, and tobacco industries. It also creates grant and incubator programs to help establish these banks and establishes public deposit insurance for them, fundamentally changing how public banking institutions operate in the United States.

Maddy summaryHR 6768, the Public Health Nursing Act, authorizes $5 billion annually (2024-2033) to expand public health nursing services through federal grants to state and local health departments. The bill requires grantees to use funds for recruiting and training registered nurses in underserved areas, covering wages, medical supplies (like PPE), and administrative costs to improve maternal/infant health and chronic disease management. Priority is given to applicants serving communities with high chronic disease rates, maternal mortality, low-income populations, rural areas, or health professional shortage zones. This directly affects public health departments and their ability to hire nurses providing in-person care, home visits, and mobile clinic services.

Maddy summaryHR 6754, the School Violence Prevention Act, establishes a federal grant program to fund evidence-based violence prevention programs in schools located in communities with high rates of youth gun violence. The bill authorizes $25 million annually for 5-year grants to partnerships between state/local education agencies (meeting specific homicide or violent crime thresholds) and community nonprofits serving youth. Grantees must implement trauma-informed, culturally competent programs for K-12 students, focusing on skills like conflict resolution, mental health support, and community engagement, while collecting data on outcomes like graduation rates. The program requires annual reporting to the Secretary of Education and CDC, with evaluations to assess impacts on reducing youth violence risks.