Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán

Maddy summaryHR 724, the Arctic Refuge Protection Act, repeals the existing oil and gas program for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and designates approximately 1.56 million acres of the refuge's coastal plain as federal wilderness. This bill directly affects the Arctic Refuge by permanently prohibiting oil and gas leasing and development in that specific area. The key mechanism is adding the designated land to the National Wilderness Preservation System under the Wilderness Act, requiring it to be managed for its natural conditions. This change legally protects the area from future fossil fuel extraction activities.

Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act This bill withdraws approximately 234,328 acres of federal land and waters in a specified area in the Rainy River Watershed of Superior National Forest in Minnesota from entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws. The area is adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area. Land or interest in land within such area that is acquired by the United States shall be immediately withdrawn in accordance with this bill. The Forest Service is authorized to permit the removal of sand, granite, iron ore, and taconite from national forest system lands within such area if the removal is not detrimental to the water quality, air quality, and health of forest habitat within the Rainy River Watershed.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the federal government from issuing oil and gas leases for exploration, development, or production on the outer Continental Shelf off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. It amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to specifically block the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing such leasing in those coastal areas. The direct effect is on the Department of the Interior, which would no longer be permitted to conduct lease sales in these regions. The bill does not create new programs or funding but changes existing leasing authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to obtain a statue of Shirley Chisholm and place it permanently in the U.S. Capitol within two years of enactment. It authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to handle the agreement for the statue under the Committee's terms, with necessary funding approved as needed. The bill does not change laws or affect specific people or groups; it is a procedural measure to honor Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, through a permanent Capitol display.

Maddy summaryHR 1088, the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to honor Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968) and the first Black candidate for a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image, which will be presented by Congress and then permanently displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to the public to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund. This bill commemorates Chisholm's legacy and achievements without creating new laws or affecting any current policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a posthumous Congressional gold medal for Constance Baker Motley, a pioneering civil rights attorney and federal judge. It directs the Treasury to strike a gold medal featuring her image and name, to be presented to her son, Joel Motley III, and niece, Constance Royster. The medal is a commemorative tribute recognizing her historic contributions to civil rights and her service as the first African-American woman appointed to a federal judgeship. No new policies or programs are created; the bill solely honors her legacy through a commemorative medal.

Maddy summaryThe Energy Resilient Communities Act creates a federal grant program to fund clean energy microgrids that keep critical community services running during climate disasters like wildfires or floods. Eligible entities - including local governments, nonprofits, and Tribal agencies - can apply for grants covering up to 90% of costs in environmental justice communities (defined as areas with high populations of people of color, low-income residents, or Tribal communities) to build microgrids supporting hospitals, schools, or medical baseline customers (e.g., those relying on life-saving medical devices). Priority is given to projects that reduce pollution, lower energy costs, create local jobs, and use U.S.-made materials, while requiring fair wages and community-focused hiring. The program mandates annual reports to Congress tracking grant use, environmental benefits, and job creation.

Maddy summaryHR 949, the Insular Area Medicaid Parity Act, removes federal funding caps on Medicaid for U.S. territories, directly affecting Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. The bill amends the Social Security Act to eliminate the existing limit on federal Medicaid funding for these territories, allowing them to receive full federal matching funds like states. This change takes effect for fiscal year 2023, ending the previous restriction that required territories to fund a portion of their Medicaid costs themselves. The policy change ensures these territories can access the same level of federal Medicaid support as states.

Maddy summaryThe Heating and Cooling Relief Act significantly expands the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help low-income households with rising energy costs. It increases annual funding to $400 billion for fiscal years 2024-2033 (up from $2 billion), adds $1 billion yearly for cooling assistance during heat events, and expands eligibility to include households with a 3% energy burden. The bill requires states to provide protections against home energy shutoffs and late fees for program participants, and to prioritize energy-efficient, renewable energy solutions. It also creates new "just transition" grants to help communities move away from fossil fuels while reducing energy burdens for vulnerable households.

Maddy summaryThe HELP Copays Act (HR 830) changes how health insurance plans calculate patient cost-sharing. It requires that payments made by third parties (like pharmacies, charities, or discount programs) toward medical costs count toward a patient's deductible, copay, or out-of-pocket limit. This directly affects insured individuals who receive financial assistance, discounts, or product vouchers for healthcare expenses. The law ensures these external payments reduce the patient's actual out-of-pocket costs more quickly, aligning with existing Affordable Care Act and Public Health Service Act requirements.