Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Maddy summaryThis House resolution (HRES 377) calls for the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen and Wall Street Journal reporter wrongfully detained by Russia since March 2023. It urges the U.S. government to press Russia for his release, demands consular access for him, and condemns Russia's detention of journalists. The resolution specifically references Gershkovich’s arrest on espionage charges without public evidence, aligning with Secretary Blinken’s designation of his detention as wrongful. It also extends similar calls for the release of other detained Americans, including Paul Whelan.

Maddy summaryThe GLOBE Act of 2023 requires the U.S. Department of State to document and report on violence and discrimination against LGBTQI people worldwide in annual country reports, with specific requirements to identify countries criminalizing LGBTQI status. It establishes a Special Envoy for LGBTQI Human Rights to coordinate U.S. government efforts internationally and creates targeted sanctions against foreign officials responsible for human rights violations against LGBTQI individuals, including denying visas and imposing financial penalties. The bill also includes provisions to improve U.S. foreign assistance programs to better support LGBTQI communities, reform immigration processes to better protect LGBTQI asylum seekers, and ensure inclusive policies in diplomatic and consular settings. These measures aim to advance LGBTQI rights globally through diplomatic, financial, and policy mechanisms.

Woman on the Twenty Act of 2023 This bill bars the printing of any $20 note after December 31, 2026, which does not prominently feature a portrait of Harriet Tubman on the front face of the note. The Department of the Treasury shall release to the public the preliminary design of the $20 note prominently featuring a portrait of Harriet Tubman no later than December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHR 4015 updates the U.S. strategy for engagement with Caribbean nations by adding specific policy goals to the existing 2016 Act. It directs the U.S. government to reduce illicit firearm trafficking to the region, combat lottery scams targeting Americans, and support Caribbean security forces. The bill also requires enhanced cooperation on energy security (promoting renewable power), climate resilience, public health infrastructure, food security, and expanding internet access - especially for marginalized communities. The updated strategy must involve agencies like Defense, Justice, and Treasury, and will guide U.S. efforts to strengthen partnerships across these areas. This affects Caribbean nations partnering with the U.S. on security, climate, health, and economic initiatives.

Maddy summaryHRES 486 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing June 8 as World Oceans Day. It affirms the U.S. duty to protect, conserve, and rebuild ocean resources, highlights ocean health as critical to climate, food security, and coastal economies, and cites specific threats like plastic pollution, ocean acidification, and climate impacts. The resolution commits the House to increasing federal investment in ocean science research and monitoring to address these challenges. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds but serves to raise awareness and encourage coordinated action on ocean conservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies collecting demographic survey data to begin including questions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics (intersex traits) within 360 days of enactment. Agencies must review existing surveys to identify gaps, develop privacy-protective methods for collecting this data (including anonymization and data destruction protocols), and incorporate it into relevant reports within three years. The law applies to all federal surveys that collect standard demographic data (like race, ethnicity, and age), such as the census or health surveys, but does not compel individuals to disclose their status. It emphasizes maintaining confidentiality, allows limited agency waivers if standards can't be met, and mandates a congressional report on implementation within two years.

Maddy summaryHR 3850, the Pride In Mental Health Act of 2023, establishes a federal grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse services for LGBTQ+ youth (including nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit individuals). The bill directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to fund eligible organizations to provide trauma-informed care, cultural competency training for caregivers, school bullying prevention guidelines, and family support resources. It explicitly prohibits grant funds from being used for conversion therapy or advertising related to such therapy. The bill also requires data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and a federal survey to measure psychological distress.

San Gabriel Mountains Protection Act This bill designates wilderness areas and wild and scenic rivers in California and modifies the boundaries of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in California to include additional National Forest System (NFS) land. Specifically, the monument shall include approximately 109,167 acres of additional NFS land. The bill designates parcels of NFS land as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System to create the Condor Peak Wilderness and Yerba Buena Wilderness and to add to the San Gabriel Wilderness and Sheep Mountain Wilderness. The bill designates specified wild and scenic rivers. The Department of Agriculture may issue a special use authorization to the owners of a water transport or diversion facility located on NFS land in the Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness for the continued operation, maintenance, and reconstruction of the facility if specified conditions are met.

Maddy summaryThe American Family Act establishes a monthly child tax credit of $250 per month for each child under age 6 and $300 per month for each child aged 6-18, with income limits of $150,000 for joint filers and $112,500 for other filers. The credit is refundable, meaning it can be paid even if the taxpayer owes no income tax, and will be adjusted annually for inflation. The bill includes detailed rules for determining eligibility, including requirements that the child resides with the taxpayer for more than half the month and provisions to prevent fraud through recapture of improperly received payments. The credit will be paid monthly in advance rather than as a single annual payment, with specific mechanisms for calculating and distributing the payments.

This resolution urges the United States and international partners to redouble their efforts to help Haiti achieve a negotiated, Haitian-led path to a broadly representative interim government. The resolution also calls for stronger action from relevant U.S. agencies to address illegal arms trafficking and illicit financial flows that are sustaining the current crisis. The resolution also encourages the Senate to swiftly confirm a new ambassador to Haiti.