Rep. Mike Levin

Maddy summaryHRES 1332 is a symbolic resolution recognizing June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It encourages the celebration of Pride Month to honor the historical struggles and achievements of LGBTQIA+ people in the United States, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face. This resolution does not create new laws or policies, but serves as a formal recognition of LGBTQIA+ rights as human rights and highlights their integral role in American history. The resolution was introduced by multiple members of Congress and passed by the House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens the HUD-VASH program, which provides housing vouchers and case management to homeless veterans. It requires the VA to prioritize vulnerable homeless veterans - especially those with disabilities - for case managers and mandates annual reports tracking program effectiveness, staffing ratios, and veteran outcomes. The law also prohibits revoking housing assistance solely because a veteran refuses case management and protects veterans from eviction for this reason. Additionally, it directs a GAO report assessing veterans' housing stability, case manager recruitment, and program demographics.

Maddy summaryHR 8514, the Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act, increases the annual stipend for books and educational supplies under the Post-9/11 GI Bill from $1,000 to $1,400 for veterans using these benefits. It also establishes an automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment starting in fiscal year 2025, tying future increases to the difference between two 12-month Consumer Price Index (CPI) periods. This adjustment applies to stipends for books, supplies, equipment, and other educational costs covered under the VA's Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program. The bill directly affects veterans enrolled in degree or certificate programs who receive education benefits through the VA. The key mechanism ensures the stipend grows with inflation, reducing the financial burden of educational expenses over time.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to standardize and publish geospatial data about public ocean and waterway access rules on a public website within 4 years. It mandates detailed information on where fishing is restricted, waterway closures, speed limits, allowed vessel types (like motorboats or kayaks), and fishing method rules. The data will include geographic boundaries of protected areas, seasonal closures, and navigation details like depth charts. This directly affects recreational users (boaters, anglers) and commercial operators who need clear, up-to-date access information for Federal waterways and fishing areas. The bill does not change existing fishing regulations but makes compliance information more accessible.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to National Guard members who perform specific full-time duty. It amends eligibility rules to include service on "full-time National Guard duty" (as defined in Title 32) and "active duty" (as defined in Title 32), which previously did not count toward full benefits. The change applies retroactively to service since September 11, 2001, and takes effect one year after enactment. This directly affects National Guard members serving in these specific full-time roles, granting them parity with other veterans for educational benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 6841 creates a new Coastal and Estuarine Resilience and Restoration Program under the Coastal Zone Management Act, authorizing the Secretary of Commerce to protect and restore coastal and estuarine areas. The program prioritizes lands with ecological, recreational, or community value that face development threats or climate impacts, with special focus on low-income communities and climate mitigation. It requires non-governmental organizations applying for grants to demonstrate public access or ecological protection, and includes $47 million annually (2024-2028) for these efforts. This directly affects coastal states, local communities, and conservation groups managing vulnerable coastal lands.

Maddy summaryHR 8851, the Strengthening Citizenship Services for Veterans Act, requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to conduct citizenship tests, fingerprinting, and oath ceremonies for eligible veteran noncitizens at accessible U.S. ports of entry or overseas embassies/consulates. It directly affects noncitizen veterans who are either outside the U.S., previously removed from the U.S., or deemed inadmissible under immigration law. The bill mandates joint guidance from the Homeland Security and State Departments on implementation methods and requires a report on effectiveness within 180 days of enactment. These changes aim to streamline the naturalization process for veteran noncitizens with pending or future citizenship applications.

Maddy summaryHRES 901 is a U.S. House resolution expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan. It calls on the U.S. President and Secretary of State to collaborate with Pakistan to uphold democratic processes, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution urges Pakistan to protect freedoms of speech, assembly, and press, and to avoid arbitrary detention or suppression of political participation. It also condemns efforts to undermine Pakistan's electoral or judicial systems, including harassment of citizens during protests or interference with elections.

Maddy summaryHR 8794, the Border Workforce Improvement Act, requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assess staffing needs for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the southern border within 90 days of enactment. The assessment must review current staffing models, identify factors affecting workloads and capability gaps in human resources and technology, and evaluate solutions needing congressional action. DHS must submit a report with findings and implementation recommendations to relevant congressional committees within 180 days. This bill directly affects DHS agencies by mandating a comprehensive review of border workforce challenges, not by changing existing policies.

Maddy summaryHRES 1295 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House's support for recognizing Sunday, June 16, 2024, as Father's Day. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the role of fathers in families and society. The resolution urges support for existing policy goals like universal paid family leave, affordable childcare, and child tax credits - though it does not mandate any changes. It directly affects all fathers and families in the U.S. by affirming their importance, but has no binding legal effect. This is a procedural resolution, not a legislative bill with concrete policy changes.