Rep. Jim Costa

Maddy summaryHRES 734 is a House resolution supporting the designation of October 1 as "National Latino and Latina Physician Day." It highlights that Latino and Latina physicians represent only 6% of U.S. doctors and aims to raise awareness about the need for greater diversity in medicine. The resolution emphasizes that increasing representation benefits Latino and Latina communities by improving health outcomes and addressing barriers like language and cultural gaps in care. It does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional support for this symbolic observance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of September 25-29, 2023, as "National Clean Energy Week" to recognize the growing role of clean energy in the U.S. economy. It expresses support for clean energy jobs and innovation, noting the sector employed about 8.1 million people in 2022. The resolution encourages federal, state, and local investment in affordable clean energy technologies and promotes "commonsense solutions" for energy needs. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal force or funding implications - it simply urges recognition of clean energy's economic and environmental contributions.

Maddy summaryThe Mobile Mammography Promotion Act of 2023 provides tax relief for mobile mammography service providers by refunding federal excise taxes on fuel used in their vehicles and exempting that fuel from future taxation. It amends the tax code to require the IRS to refund excise taxes paid on fuel used in highway vehicles designed exclusively for delivering mammography screenings within the vehicle. This directly lowers operational costs for mobile mammography providers, who operate vehicles serving patients on-site. The refund and exemption apply to fuel purchased for these specific mobile units, reducing their expenses. The provisions take effect upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Youth, Peace, and Security Act of 2023 requires the U.S. government to increase meaningful youth engagement in peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts globally. The bill mandates the development of a U.S. Foreign Assistance Youth, Peace, and Security Action Plan within one year, focusing on inclusive participation of diverse youth aged 10-29, particularly marginalized groups including girls, LGBTQI+ youth, and youth with disabilities. It authorizes $5.5 million for grants to youth-led organizations working on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, community violence intervention, and post-conflict recovery. The legislation also establishes a USAID Youth Coordinator role to oversee implementation and requires U.S. foreign assistance programs to integrate youth participation in decision-making processes. The Act aims to address barriers to youth involvement in peace processes while ensuring safety, security, and equitable access to resources for young people in conflict-affected areas.

Maddy summaryThe Feed Our Families Act of 2023 ensures SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits continue for 90 days during the first government shutdown in any fiscal year after 2023. It appropriates emergency funds from the Treasury to cover SNAP operations without requiring new congressional approval during this period. The funds are held in reserve and used solely for SNAP program needs, such as food assistance payments. This directly affects low-income households relying on SNAP for food security during funding gaps.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution (HRES 737) expresses the House's recognition of the link between firearm violence and intimate partner violence, highlighting that firearms are used in nearly 66% of intimate partner homicides and disproportionately impact Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic women. It commends domestic violence advocates and pledges to fund research on this intersection, while calling for specific policy actions like strengthening background checks (NICS), restricting firearm access for those under domestic violence restraining orders, and supporting survivor programs. The resolution also urges Congress to prioritize pending bills such as H.R. 905 and H.R. 715 to address this issue.

Maddy summaryHR 5820, the Technology for Energy Security Act, extends a federal tax credit for businesses installing qualified fuel cell technology. It amends the tax code to change the expiration date for this credit from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2033. This extension provides businesses with a longer timeframe to claim the credit for eligible fuel cell property investments. The bill directly affects companies deploying fuel cell energy systems by making the tax incentive available for an additional decade.

Maddy summaryHRES 733 is a non-binding resolution expressing concern about the rising number of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries. It cites data showing nearly 3,400 book removals affecting 1,557 titles from July 2022-June 2023, with disproportionate targeting of books featuring LGBTQ+ themes (36%) and racial justice content (37%). The resolution urges school districts to follow established best practices for handling book challenges and reaffirms the importance of protecting students' access to diverse materials. It does not create new laws but calls for local governments to support free expression as protected by the First Amendment.

This resolution requests the Department of State to transmit to Congress a statement on human rights practices in Azerbaijan, including the steps the United States has taken to promote human rights in the region and an assessment of whether circumstances exist that necessitate a continuation of security assistance for Azerbaijan.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal financial regulators (like the Fed and Consumer Bureau) to create guidance for banks within 180 days of enactment. The guidance directs banks to help consumers and businesses affected by government shutdowns - including furloughed federal workers, DC employees without pay, and contractors with reduced income - by adjusting loan terms, preventing payment hardships, and stopping negative credit reporting during temporary financial difficulties. Banks must also immediately notify regulators, consumers, and businesses if a shutdown begins. After a shutdown ends, regulators must report to Congress on the guidance's effectiveness and update it within 180 days if needed.