Rep. Barbara Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes veterans' disability and dependency payments from income calculations for HUD housing assistance programs. It directly affects veterans and their families receiving disability compensation under Title 38, U.S. Code, by ensuring these benefits don't reduce their eligibility or housing assistance amounts. Specifically, it prevents HUD from counting these payments when determining eligibility, benefit amounts, or rent calculations for assisted housing. The policy change applies solely to HUD-administered housing programs, not other federal benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 6191, the Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act, imposes a new tax on large corporations with significant pay gaps between top executives and typical workers. It targets companies with at least $100 million in annual revenue (adjusted for inflation) and over $10 million in annual wages paid to employees. The tax equals 1% of either the calculated pay disparity (CEO pay over 5 years divided by median worker pay, minus 50) multiplied by the excess pay, or the company’s gross receipts. This applies to taxable years starting after the bill’s enactment, aiming to tax excessive CEO compensation relative to average worker pay.

Maddy summaryThe Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act prohibits federal funding for school police officers and establishes a $5 billion grant program to help schools replace law enforcement with mental health professionals like counselors, social workers, and psychologists. The bill directly affects schools serving marginalized students, particularly Black, Native American, Latino, and LGBTQI+ students, who disproportionately face school discipline and police involvement. Key provisions require schools to terminate police contracts within 30 days of receiving funds and use the money for trauma-informed services, restorative justice programs, and anti-bias training. The bill also prohibits using funds for surveillance technology, punitive discipline policies, or arming school staff, while requiring schools to report on disciplinary practices and demographic data. This legislation aims to address racial disparities in school discipline and shift school safety toward supportive, evidence-based approaches rather than criminalization.

Maddy summaryHRES 832 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as an annual cultural observance in the U.S. and globally. It acknowledges the holiday's origins in Mesoamerican traditions, its significance in honoring deceased loved ones through altars (*ofrendas*), and its role in celebrating Latino cultural heritage. The resolution specifically highlights the contributions of Mexican and Mexican American communities to U.S. society and culture, without creating new laws or obligations. It is a ceremonial gesture by Congress, not a policy with concrete effects on individuals or communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to allow taxpayers to deduct over-the-counter naloxone purchases as medical expenses, similar to insulin. It directly affects individuals who buy naloxone without a prescription for personal or family use. The key provision adds "naloxone" to the list of deductible medical items under Section 213(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. The change applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryHR 5983, the Clean Water Act of 2023, redefines "protected water resources" under federal law to explicitly include all interstate and intrastate waters (such as intermittent and ephemeral streams), wetlands, and their tributaries. This directly affects federal agencies like the EPA, states managing water quality, and developers or landowners needing permits for activities near these waters. The bill eliminates the Supreme Court’s narrow "navigable waters" definition from Sackett v. EPA (2023), restoring protections for tens of millions of acres of wetlands and millions of miles of small streams. Key mechanisms require the EPA to annually review and adjust exclusions from protections based on scientific evidence, ensuring water bodies critical to drinking water, flood control, and ecosystems remain safeguarded.

Maddy summaryHRES 819 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the 5-year anniversary of the October 27, 2018, antisemitic attack at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue, which killed 11 people. It condemns antisemitism and references rising hate incidents, including the Anti-Defamation League’s 2022 report of record antisemitic activity (3,697 incidents). The resolution honors the victims, expresses solidarity with affected Jewish communities, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combatting hate and protecting religious freedom. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it has no binding effect but serves as a formal statement of congressional stance.

Maddy summaryThe Student Support Act (HR 6091) establishes a federal grant program to address the critical shortage of mental health professionals in schools, authorizing $100 million annually through 2028. The bill sets specific target ratios for school-based mental health providers: one counselor for every 250 students, one psychologist for every 500-700 students, and one social worker for every 250 students. Funds would be distributed to states based on the number of children in poverty and total student enrollment, with states required to provide matching funds. This legislation directly affects public and private K-12 schools across the United States, particularly those serving low-income students who currently lack adequate mental health support.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores federal student loans for graduate and professional students by temporarily reinstating eligibility for Federal Direct Stafford Loans, which was previously terminated. It applies directly to graduate students who were excluded from these loans, preventing them from accumulating additional debt. The change is temporary, ending on or before June 30, 2023, and modifies specific provisions of the Higher Education Act without requiring additional rulemaking.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require employers with 5 or more employees to provide 56 hours of paid leave annually for employees experiencing pregnancy loss, failed fertility procedures (including IVF), failed adoption or surrogacy arrangements, or fertility-impacting diagnoses. Employees could also use this leave to care for a spouse or domestic partner facing these circumstances. Employers would need to provide clear notice of this policy and cannot discriminate against employees who use this leave. The bill applies to private sector employers, government employees, and others covered under the defined terms, with enforcement mechanisms to protect employees' rights.