Rep. Katie Porter

Maddy summaryHR 3962 establishes an Advisory Council to support victims of gun violence, directly affecting individuals impacted by gun violence (including survivors, witnesses, and relatives of victims) and the professionals who assist them. The council, composed of federal agency heads, victims, and victim assistance professionals, will assess needs, review existing programs, and compile accessible resources covering medical, financial, mental health, legal, and housing support. It must publish a public report within 180 days of enactment detailing best practices and gaps, with a follow-up report after two years. The council’s work will be shared online and distributed to congressional offices, state agencies, schools, and local prosecutors, with no new federal funding authorized for implementation.

Maddy summaryHR 3027 reauthorizes the Reclamation Climate Change and Water Program by extending its authorization period from 2023 to 2033. The bill amends Section 9503(f) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to update the program's expiration date. This extension allows the Bureau of Reclamation to continue administering the program, which supports climate change adaptation and water management initiatives, through 2033. The change ensures ongoing funding and operations without requiring new legislative action for the same period.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases per diem payments for homeless veterans receiving VA services. It raises the daily payment rate from $115 to $200 for certain housing-related services, including emergency responses. The change directly affects homeless veterans who qualify for these VA-funded housing supports. The key provision adjusts the payment rate in Section 2012(a)(2)(B) of the U.S. Code to provide higher funding for services assisting homeless veterans.

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 summaryHR 4021, the Fair and Open Skies Act, amends U.S. aviation law to require that the Department of Transportation consider labor standards when reviewing international air transport agreements. Specifically, it adds "preventing the undermining of labor standards" as a mandatory factor in the public interest test for approving such agreements under 49 U.S.C. § 40101. This change directly affects international airlines seeking to operate flights to or from the U.S. and the DOT, which must now evaluate whether proposed agreements could weaken U.S. labor protections. The bill updates existing provisions by replacing outdated language about "agreements with the United States Government" and explicitly including labor standards in the evaluation criteria.

Maddy summaryThe CARE Act of 2023 strengthens protections for child farmworkers by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. It raises minimum age requirements (restricting 14-15 year olds to family farms outside school hours, and limiting 16-17 year olds to family farm work outside school hours), repeals a waiver allowing children in hand-harvest labor, and increases penalties for violations (up to $60,115 for serious injury or death). The bill requires employers to report work-related injuries or deaths of child farmworkers under 18 and mandates annual reports to Congress on child farmworker safety data. It also prohibits children under 18 from working as pesticide handlers, directly affecting an estimated 100,000+ child farmworkers in the U.S.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the definition of "major disaster" under the Stafford Act to explicitly include "extreme heat" before "or drought." It directly affects communities experiencing severe heatwaves by allowing such events to qualify for federal disaster assistance, which previously required disasters like floods or droughts. The key change is a technical update to eligibility criteria, enabling affected areas to access federal aid programs like FEMA assistance for extreme heat emergencies. (Procedural bill, summary limited to 2 sentences per guidelines.)

Congress at Work Act This resolution requires Members and Committees of the House of Representatives to publish monthly reports online that contain specified information related to legislative activities.

Maddy summaryHRES 485 is a non-binding resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating June 9 as "Batten Disease Awareness Day." It does not create new laws or policies, but formally recognizes Batten disease - a rare, fatal neurological disorder affecting children - as a condition requiring public awareness. The resolution describes Batten disease as a genetic condition causing progressive vision loss, seizures, motor skill decline, and early death, with no known cure. It directly affects families and advocacy groups for this rare disease by promoting public recognition on a specific date. This is a symbolic gesture with no direct impact on healthcare, funding, or regulations.