Rep. Julia Brownley

Maddy summaryHR 866, the Equal COLA Act, changes how cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are calculated for federal retirees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). It requires that each year's COLA be based on the exact percent change in the price index from the previous year's base quarter, rounded to the nearest 0.1%, effective December 1. This applies to all FERS annuities starting before, on, or after the bill's enactment date, ensuring a standardized calculation method for retirees' annual adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to include Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers who die while performing official duties protecting transportation systems as eligible for public safety officers' death benefits. It specifically adds TSA employees working to "ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce" to the list of covered personnel under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act. The change applies to deaths occurring on or after October 31, 2013, directly affecting TSA officers and their families by expanding access to death benefits previously available only to other public safety personnel.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 333) corrects an inaccurate title and updates military retirement pay rules for veterans. It allows military retirees with service-connected disabilities (including those rated under 50%) to receive both their full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation without reduction. Specifically, it removes the requirement that veterans must have a 50% disability rating to keep both payments and adjusts calculations for retirees with fewer than 20 years of service. The change directly affects military retirees receiving VA disability benefits who previously had their retirement pay reduced. The bill takes effect after enactment for payments starting in the following month.

Maddy summaryHR 251 renames the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Vallejo, California, as the "Delphine Metcalf-Foster VA Clinic." This bill updates all official U.S. government references - such as laws, maps, and documents - to reflect the new name. It directly affects the Vallejo clinic and its administrative records, with no policy changes or financial impact. The bill is purely procedural, honoring Delphine Metcalf-Foster through the clinic's designation.

This resolution condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents. The resolution also expresses support for the people of Iran who are legitimately defending their rights for freedom against repression and condemns the killing of Iranian protesters by the Iranian regime.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands paid family and medical leave for federal employees by increasing total entitlement from 12 to 26 weeks annually. It modifies existing laws to cover all federal workers (including those at the GAO, USPS, Library of Congress, and congressional staff), replacing "parental leave" with broader "family and medical leave" and adding 14 additional weeks for qualifying events like childbirth, adoption, or serious health conditions. Employees who already used paid leave under other programs will have their new entitlement reduced by the days already taken. The changes apply immediately to most federal employees, with specific timelines for agencies like the Veterans Affairs Department and District of Columbia courts.

Maddy summaryHR 791, the American Music Fairness Act of 2023, requires terrestrial radio stations (AM/FM) to pay royalties for playing music, aligning their payment obligations with those of internet streaming services. It directly affects small local radio stations by establishing low annual fees: $10 for stations with under $100,000 annual revenue, $100 for public broadcasters with $100k-$1.5M revenue, and $500 for other stations in that revenue range. The bill ensures songwriters’ existing royalty rights remain unaffected (Section 6) and mandates that royalty rates for radio be set using economic data, including how radio promotion might impact music sales. This creates a new statutory royalty structure while protecting small broadcasters through tiered, low-cost payment tiers.

Maddy summaryHR 765, the African American History Act, authorizes $2 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and programs about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create accessible teaching materials, support teacher professional development, and expand digital content for schools and the public, focusing on contributions, civil rights, and historical contexts. It requires annual reports to Congress and expires in 2028. The program directly supports educators, students, and families in learning about African American history through museums, schools, and online platforms.

Maddy summaryThe Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2023 creates a federal grant program to help states, tribes, and local governments implement and improve Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), which temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose a danger to themselves or others. To qualify for grants, states and tribes must enact ERPO laws meeting specific due process requirements, including notice, hearing procedures, and standards of proof. The bill amends federal law to include ERPOs in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and requires states to report on ERPO usage, including demographic data. It also establishes "full faith and credit" for ERPOs across state lines, ensuring consistent enforcement nationwide.

This resolution states that the House of Representatives condemns the February 1, 2021, military coup in Burma (Myanmar) and denounces the Burmese military for human rights violations. The resolution calls on the Burmese military to end violence against prodemocracy activists and release political prisoners.