Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán

Maddy summaryHR 6301, the Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2023, requires group health plans to ensure that out-of-pocket costs for oral anticancer drugs (taken by patients at home) are no higher than for intravenous or injected anticancer drugs. It applies to patients prescribed oral anticancer medications approved by the FDA and deemed medically necessary or clinically appropriate by their physician. The law prohibits insurers from increasing patient costs for oral drugs through benefit changes, such as higher copays or stricter coverage limits, and allows prior authorization for all chemotherapy. The law takes effect for 2024 plan years, and the GAO will study its impact on patient costs within two years.

Maddy summaryHRES 806 is a symbolic resolution designating October 2023 as "World Menopause Awareness Month" and expressing the House's support for improved global awareness and access to care during menopause. It highlights that menopause affects millions of women, with symptoms like hot flashes (experienced by 75% of U.S. women) and potential impacts on work productivity and health risks like heart disease. The resolution encourages the Health and Human Services, Defense, and Veterans Affairs secretaries to share menopause information, fund research, and update treatment tools to support women's health. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise awareness and guide existing agency efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 6172, the AMMO Act, requires federal firearms licensees (dealers/manufacturers) to implement new rules for selling ammunition to non-licensed buyers. It prohibits transfers exceeding 100 rounds of .50 caliber or 1,000 rounds of other calibers within any 5-day period and mandates written certification from buyers confirming they haven’t exceeded these limits. Licensees must also conduct background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) before selling ammunition to non-licensed individuals, similar to firearm sales. The bill includes recordkeeping, signage, and reporting requirements for violations, with penalties including fines up to $250,000 for licensees and $50,000 for buyers making false statements.

Maddy summaryHR 6105, the No Toxics in Food Packaging Act of 2023, prohibits the use of specific chemicals in food packaging by deeming them unsafe under existing law. It directly bans ortho-phthalates (like DEHP and DBP), PFAS, certain bisphenols (including BPA), styrene, and antimony trioxide in all food contact materials. The bill requires the FDA to consider vulnerable populations - such as infants, pregnant women, and workers - when evaluating alternative substances. The ban takes effect two years after the bill's enactment. This law primarily affects food manufacturers, packaging producers, and the FDA's regulatory oversight of food contact substances.

Robin Danielson Menstrual Product and Intimate Care Product Safety Act of 2023 This bill requires the National Institutes of Health to conduct or support research on the extent to which components (including contaminants and substances used as fragrances, colorants, dyes, and preservatives) in menstrual products and intimate care products pose health risks to people who use the products or to the children of people who use the products during or before pregnancy.

Maddy summaryHRES 832 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as an annual cultural observance in the U.S. and globally. It acknowledges the holiday's origins in Mesoamerican traditions, its significance in honoring deceased loved ones through altars (*ofrendas*), and its role in celebrating Latino cultural heritage. The resolution specifically highlights the contributions of Mexican and Mexican American communities to U.S. society and culture, without creating new laws or obligations. It is a ceremonial gesture by Congress, not a policy with concrete effects on individuals or communities.

Maddy summaryHRES 831 is a symbolic congressional resolution supporting October as "National Domestic Violence Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funding, but formally expresses the House of Representatives' support for the goals of raising awareness about domestic violence. The resolution urges Congress to continue highlighting domestic violence's impact and backing programs that prevent and address it. It directly affects public awareness efforts and serves as a non-binding statement of congressional support for victims and advocacy organizations.

Maddy summaryThe PHASE Act of 2023 directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to identify innovative traffic control technologies that improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists without causing distraction. It requires the Transportation Secretary to conduct a study analyzing urban areas with rising pedestrian fatalities and test physical safety measures like crosswalk technology, better lighting, and accessible sidewalks. The bill also creates a $5 million annual grant program for cities, tribes, and municipalities to fund specific pedestrian safety infrastructure, including marked crosswalks, adaptive lighting, accessible curb ramps, and upgraded traffic signals. These grants must comply with federal regulations and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The law directly affects local governments seeking funding and aims to protect pedestrians and vulnerable road users through concrete infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryHR 5983, the Clean Water Act of 2023, redefines "protected water resources" under federal law to explicitly include all interstate and intrastate waters (such as intermittent and ephemeral streams), wetlands, and their tributaries. This directly affects federal agencies like the EPA, states managing water quality, and developers or landowners needing permits for activities near these waters. The bill eliminates the Supreme Court’s narrow "navigable waters" definition from Sackett v. EPA (2023), restoring protections for tens of millions of acres of wetlands and millions of miles of small streams. Key mechanisms require the EPA to annually review and adjust exclusions from protections based on scientific evidence, ensuring water bodies critical to drinking water, flood control, and ecosystems remain safeguarded.

Maddy summaryHRES 785 is a non-binding resolution introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives that formally recognizes the contributions of Hispanic lawyers and judges while highlighting their underrepresentation in the legal profession and judiciary. It cites specific statistics, noting Hispanic lawyers make up 5.8% of U.S. lawyers and Hispanic judges represent just 7% of federal judicial appointments. The resolution expresses support for increasing Hispanic representation in the legal field to better reflect the Hispanic population, which comprises 18.7% of the U.S. population. As a symbolic measure, it does not enact new laws or policies but serves as a statement of the House's acknowledgment of diversity efforts in the legal sector.