Rep. Barbara Lee

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the federal government should begin a large-scale effort to reduce incarceration rates and reshape the American legal system by consulting with communities and individuals directly impacted by the justice system; decriminalizing certain behaviors, increasing diversion opportunities, revising sentencing laws, and reducing practices that contribute to recidivism; ending practices that advantage the wealthy and prohibiting private companies from profiting from the criminal justice system; and ending militarized policing practices, investing in other safety services, and implementing policies that address the needs of communities most affected by high rates of incarceration.

Maddy summaryHR 4183, the Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act of 2023, amends federal civil rights law to expand protections against economic discrimination. It defines "economic activity" broadly to include everyday actions like shopping, housing, hiring, and accessing loans, and requires that all people have "full and equal benefit and enjoyment" of these activities compared to white citizens. Key mechanisms include shifting the burden to businesses to justify practices that disproportionately harm protected groups (e.g., requiring proof of "substantial business necessity" without pretext), expanding who can sue (including non-contract parties), and ensuring jury trials for violations. This bill directly affects individuals facing discrimination in economic opportunities, making it easier to challenge practices in courts under a new standard of equal access.

Maddy summaryThe Senior Legal Hotline Act of 2023 creates a federal grant program to fund statewide legal assistance hotlines for older adults. It authorizes $10 million annually (2024-2028) for competitive grants to nonprofit organizations or partnerships that establish free legal hotlines providing telephone-based counseling, referrals, and advocacy to seniors. These hotlines must prioritize older individuals with the greatest economic and social need, coordinate with state agencies and other legal aid providers, and ensure trained staff/volunteers serve all areas of the state. The bill directly affects seniors across all 50 states through expanded access to no-cost legal help for civil issues like housing, benefits, and elder abuse.

Lady Liberty Act of 2023 This bill sets a floor of 125,000 for the maximum number of refugees who may be admitted into the United States each fiscal year. Under current law, the President sets the annual cap on refugee admissions at the beginning of each fiscal year. (The cap for FY2023 was 125,000, but in some years it had been lower. For example, the cap for FY2021 was 15,000.)

Maddy summaryHR 4172, the Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2023, establishes a 12-member United States Commission on Hate Crimes to investigate trends and improve responses to hate crimes. The commission, appointed by Senate and House leaders plus the Attorney General and Secretary of Health and Human Services, will examine hate crime increases since 2015, factors driving them, and strategies to reduce underreporting to the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System. It will also assess successful bias prevention efforts and online hate crime prevalence. Within one year of its formation, the commission must submit a report to Congress and the President with recommendations for federal agencies and community-based prevention programs. This bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies through reporting requirements and federal agencies through proposed policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 4184 repeals legal protections for gun manufacturers and sellers under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. It allows victims of gun violence to use gun trace data from the ATF's Firearms Trace System in civil court cases. This data, previously protected from discovery, can now be subpoenaed, admitted as evidence, and relied upon in lawsuits against gun sellers or manufacturers. The bill directly affects victims seeking legal recourse and gun industry defendants in civil litigation.

Maddy summaryThe Computer Science for All Act of 2023 would provide $250 million in federal grants to states, school districts, and eligible tribal schools to expand computer science education. The bill requires grant recipients to ensure all high school students have access to computer science within five years and to create a progression of computer science education from pre-kindergarten through middle school. It specifically targets reducing disparities by requiring schools to address gaps for underrepresented groups including minorities, girls, and students from low-income families. Grants would fund teacher training, learning materials, and programs supporting students traditionally underrepresented in tech fields, with schools required to track and report student demographics to monitor progress.

Maddy summaryHR 4166, the Support UNFPA Funding Act, authorizes annual U.S. funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) over five years. It directly supports UNFPA’s global programs serving women and girls in over 150 countries, particularly focusing on reducing preventable maternal deaths, expanding access to contraception, ending gender-based violence, and addressing harmful practices like female genital mutilation and child marriage. The bill specifically directs funding toward UNFPA’s core work in developing nations, humanitarian crises (such as in Ukraine and Yemen), and rebuilding health systems post-pandemic, without altering UNFPA’s existing operations or policies.

Maddy summaryThe American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 would create two pathways to permanent residency for certain immigrants. The "Dream Act" portion would provide conditional permanent resident status to individuals who entered the U.S. as children, have lived continuously in the U.S. since January 1, 2021, and meet educational requirements (such as completing high school, earning a degree, or enrolling in education programs). The "American Promise Act" portion would provide permanent residency to individuals eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) as of specific dates (January 1, 2017, or January 20, 2021). The bill includes provisions for background checks, fee exemptions for low-income applicants, and processes for removing conditional status after meeting specific criteria like completing higher education or earning income.

Maddy summaryHJRES 72 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove the exception in the Thirteenth Amendment that allows slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. If ratified, this amendment would ban the use of forced labor in prisons as a criminal penalty, directly affecting how the U.S. criminal justice system handles sentencing. The resolution clarifies it does not interfere with voluntary work programs in correctional facilities, existing employment protections for incarcerated people, or community service alternatives. This change aims to eliminate a historical loophole that has disproportionately impacted Black Americans since the 1860s.