Rep. Katie Porter

Maddy summaryHCONRES 82 is a symbolic resolution recognizing and supporting the New Heights Bid Committee's effort to secure the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup for a joint U.S.-Mexico bid. It directs Congress to encourage the President and federal agencies to assist the committee in meeting hosting requirements and to consider future legislation if the bid is successful. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally expresses congressional backing for the bid committee's work. It directly affects the New Heights Bid Committee by affirming congressional support for their efforts to host the tournament.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores visa eligibility for immigrants who had diversity visas allocated for fiscal years 2017-2022 but were denied entry due to specific travel restrictions (like Executive Orders 13769/13780 or related proclamations) or pandemic-related delays. The State Department must notify affected individuals within 90 days of the bill’s enactment, giving them one year to confirm they wish to proceed with their visa applications. Unused visas from those years can be reallocated without counting against current annual limits, and applicants who fail to respond or are denied for standard reasons (like education requirements) lose eligibility. The policy directly affects individuals impacted by these specific past barriers to immigration.

Maddy summaryHRES 963 is a symbolic resolution honoring Korean American Day, which commemorates the January 13, 1903 arrival of the first large wave of Korean immigrants to the U.S. It recognizes Korean Americans' contributions to U.S. society, including their economic, cultural, and military impacts, and marks the 121st anniversary of this historic migration. The resolution urges all Americans to observe Korean American Day to appreciate these contributions. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new policies or affect specific groups beyond this ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Medicare demonstration project requiring independent assessments of drug value. For newly approved drugs, the government must contract with non-profit or academic entities (excluding drugmakers or insurers) to complete assessments within 90 days of approval. These assessments must analyze both direct patient benefits (like quality/duration of life) and indirect benefits (like caregiver savings), exclude quality-adjusted life year metrics, and include price estimates tied to medical inflation. The project prioritizes high-cost drugs and breakthrough therapies, affecting Medicare Part D drug pricing decisions.

Maddy summaryThe SHINE Act requires political committees (not party committees) to report large contributions of $1,000 or more received between 20 days and 48 hours before an election when they plan to spend money supporting or opposing candidates. It mandates written notice to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) about these contributions, aiming to increase transparency around last-minute funding. The requirement applies to contributions received within this narrow window before elections, regardless of whether the FEC has finalized regulations. This directly affects committees making election-related spending, ensuring disclosure of late, large contributions to help voters see who is funding campaigns at the final hour.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Hydrogen for Ports Act creates a federal grant program to fund port infrastructure using hydrogen and ammonia as clean energy sources. Eligible entities - including states, local governments, tribes, port authorities, and private port operators partnering with public entities - can apply for grants to install or operate hydrogen/ammonia-fueled cargo equipment, trucks, vessels, shore power systems, and fueling infrastructure. The program prioritizes projects that reduce emissions, benefit low-income communities, create quality U.S. jobs, and avoid net job losses from automation (prohibiting grants for fully automated equipment that causes such losses). Additionally, the bill mandates a study on safety, feasibility, and storage challenges for hydrogen and ammonia fuels in maritime settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits political committees that fail to spend a majority of funds on legitimate candidate support (e.g., contributions to candidates or independent expenditures) from making payments to entities owned or controlled by their leaders or family members. It specifically targets "scam PACs" that mislead donors by diverting most funds to personal compensation or vendors with financial ties to organizers, rather than supporting political activities. Committees meeting the "majority legitimate spending" threshold are exempt, ensuring the rule applies only to the targeted subset. The prohibition takes effect 90 days after enactment, aiming to prevent self-dealing while preserving standard PAC operations.

Stop Scam PACs Act This bill expands prohibitions with respect to fraudulent misrepresentation of campaign authority. Current law sets forth two prohibitions with respect to fraudulent misrepresentation of campaign authority. The first prohibits a candidate for federal office or the candidate's employees or agents from fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as speaking or otherwise acting for or on behalf of another candidate or political party on a matter that is damaging to such other candidate or political party. The bill instead applies this prohibition to any person, to any misrepresentation, and for any purpose. The second prohibits any person from fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as speaking or otherwise acting for or on behalf of any candidate or political party to solicit contributions or donations. The bill instead applies this prohibition to any misrepresentation and for purposes of soliciting money or any other thing of value. The two prohibitions under current law refer to misrepresentations on behalf of candidates or political parties. This bill also extends applicability to political committees and organizations.

Hydrogen for Trucks Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation to establish a grant program that assists eligible entities in purchasing (1) heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles (e.g., trucks) that use hydrogen as a fuel source, and (2) related equipment. Certain entities that control heavy-duty truck fleets or public hydrogen fueling stations may apply for grants. Grant recipients must use the funding to demonstrate the performance of at least seven heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles that use hydrogen as fuel source or at least one hydrogen fueling station for use by such vehicles.