Rep. Linda T. Sánchez

Maddy summaryThe Agricultural Worker Justice Act (HR 4978) improves working conditions for agricultural and meatpacking workers through several key provisions. It requires USDA to only purchase from entities paying prevailing wages (based on local rates and collective bargaining agreements), prohibits stock buybacks by USDA-funded companies, and creates a list of companies with labor violations that would be ineligible for USDA contracts. The bill establishes new safety standards for meatpacking plants including restrictions on line speeds (requiring safety inspections before increases), requirements for toilet facilities, and enhanced protections for workers reporting safety concerns. It also mandates a GAO report on racial disparities in meatpacking employment and authorizes $400 million for local food purchase programs. The bill directly affects meatpacking facilities, agricultural businesses receiving USDA funds, and the workers employed in these industries.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to require all U.S. colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to create detailed anti-harassment policies covering physical, online, and institution-sponsored settings. It mandates policies prohibiting harassment based on race, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, religion, and other protected characteristics, including harassment via institutional email, computers, or electronic messaging. The bill also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund colleges developing prevention programs, victim support services, and training for students and staff on recognizing and addressing harassment. These policies and grants must comply with existing civil rights laws like Title IX but add specific requirements for reporting and prevention.

Maddy summaryThe REDUCE Act of 2023 imposes an excise tax on virgin plastic resin and certain single-use plastic products, starting at 10 cents per pound in 2024 and increasing to 20 cents per pound by 2026 (with annual inflation adjustments). The tax applies to manufacturers, producers, and importers of plastic products, with exemptions for small businesses producing less than 10 tons annually. Revenue from the tax will fund the Plastic Waste Reduction Fund, which will support recycling infrastructure, reuse systems, and marine debris cleanup efforts. The bill specifically excludes medical products, certain packaging, and hygiene items from the tax requirements.

Maddy summaryHRES 710 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Thai-American garment workers who escaped a 1995 El Monte, California sweatshop where they were trafficked and held against their will. The resolution recognizes their landmark lawsuit - the first federal case against garment employers - which spurred national anti-sweatshop campaigns, influenced the creation of T and U visas for trafficking survivors, and advanced corporate accountability. It does not enact policy changes but commemorates their role in inspiring lasting labor rights reforms and their induction into the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor.

Maddy summaryHR 5569, the Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act of 2023, increases funding for child care nutrition programs. It adds a 10-cent per meal reimbursement for providers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), applying to all meals and supplements served. This change directly affects child care centers, family day care homes, and group day care homes that receive CACFP funding. The additional reimbursement is calculated alongside existing payment rates and applies to all meals served after the bill's enactment. The bill modifies specific sections of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to implement this funding increase.

Maddy summaryThe Reuniting Families Act reduces family-based visa backlogs by reclassifying spouses, permanent partners, and minor children of legal permanent residents as immediate relatives, allowing them to be processed more quickly. The bill recaptures unused visa numbers from previous years, increasing the total number of available family-based visas without changing the overall annual caps. It expands rights for permanent partners (not just married spouses) and provides relief for orphans, widows, and widowers with pending applications. The legislation also prohibits removal of aliens with pending applications and prioritizes family reunification in refugee resettlement processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office within the Department of Justice to address racial disparities in missing and murdered Black women and girls cases. The Office will collect data on case resolution times, coordinate with law enforcement, and create a public dashboard tracking these cases. It also creates grants for community organizations to provide culturally appropriate services, prevention programs, and training for law enforcement targeting violence against Black women and girls. The bill directly affects Black women and girls who are victims of violence and their communities, focusing on improving data collection and support systems rather than changing criminal laws.

Maddy summaryThe Schedules That Work Act (HR 5563) requires employers in retail, food service, cleaning, hospitality, and warehouse sectors to provide workers with at least 14 days' advance notice of their work schedules and to pay predictability pay for last-minute schedule changes. It allows employees to request schedule modifications for caregiving, health conditions, education, or second jobs, with employers required to grant such requests unless they have a bona fide business reason for denial. The bill also prohibits scheduling shifts less than 11 hours apart without employee consent and mandates employers to provide estimates of monthly work hours for the following year. These provisions aim to address the widespread problem of unpredictable schedules that disproportionately impact low-wage workers, particularly women and workers of color, who often lack control over their work hours.

Maddy summaryHR 5492, the Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2023, provides fertility treatment, counseling, and adoption assistance to military members and veterans with infertility conditions. The bill requires the Department of Defense to offer fertility preservation services like cryopreservation before deployment or hazardous assignments, and to cover fertility treatments including in vitro fertilization for current service members. For veterans, it adds fertility treatment and counseling to VA medical services, allows adoption assistance up to the cost of three adoptions, and mandates coordination between military and VA health systems. These provisions apply regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status, and are designed to support military families affected by service-related infertility.

Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 amends the Animal Welfare Act to strengthen enforcement of animal welfare standards. It gives the Attorney General authority to bring civil cases for violations, including seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation and injunctions to remove or relocate animals. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and Attorney General to coordinate through a new Memorandum of Understanding, focusing on repeat violators. These changes directly affect dealers, exhibitors, and enforcement agencies by expanding civil enforcement tools and clarifying jurisdiction over rule violations.