Rep. Mike Levin

Johanna's Law Reauthorization Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and otherwise revises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national awareness campaign regarding gynecologic cancers. The CDC must target specified populations of women at higher risk for gynecologic cancers in the campaign. Additionally, the CDC may establish a grant program to evaluate different strategies to increase knowledge and awareness of gynecologic cancers among women and health care providers. In awarding these grants, the CDC must give preference to (1) grantees with expertise in gynecologic cancer education or treatment or expertise in working with groups of women at increased risk of such cancers; and (2) projects that will establish links between health care providers, hospitals, insurance companies, and state health departments.

Maddy summaryHR 5881, the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, expands the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by adding the "Rim of the Valley Unit" to its boundary, as shown on specific maps dated 2001 and 2023. This directly affects the lands within the new boundary, which contain nationally significant natural resources like diverse ecosystems and cultural sites spanning over 10,000 years of Native American history. The bill modifies the park's legal boundary to include these lands, requiring future minor adjustments to be published in the Federal Register after notifying congressional committees. Existing water and utility facilities within the added area may continue operating but must minimize environmental impact. The expansion aims to better serve urban communities, particularly those historically underrepresented in national parks.

Maddy summaryHR 5667, the Pay Our Military Act, ensures continued pay and allowances for active-duty military members, reservists, Department of Defense civilians, and qualifying contractors during any government funding gap in fiscal year 2024. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover these payments if regular appropriations bills aren't passed before the end of the fiscal year. The funding automatically terminates once regular appropriations are enacted or by January 1, 2025, whichever comes first.

Maddy summaryHR 5817, the PASSPORT Act, aims to improve U.S. passport processing by requiring the State Department to expand a pilot program notifying passport holders 6 months before expiration (instead of the current limited system) and codify this process. It mandates airlines to provide passport validity requirements and application information during flight bookings, and establishes better tracking for citizenship documents with return shipping options and reimbursement for lost documents. The bill also directs a GAO study on passport operations, including lockbox facilities and demand planning, and requires the State Department to address staffing needs for passport processing staff. These changes directly affect all U.S. passport applicants and travelers by reducing delays and improving transparency in the application process.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts Purple Heart medal recipients from paying standard passport application fees. It directly affects military veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart for combat wounds. The key mechanism amends the 1920 Passport Act to add a specific fee waiver for these veterans when applying for passports. This change would reduce costs for eligible veterans seeking to travel internationally using official U.S. passports.

Maddy summaryThe Supporting Armenians Against Azerbaijani Aggression Act of 2023 authorizes $30 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance for Armenians in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh affected by Azerbaijani military actions and blockade. It repeals a longstanding restriction on aid to Azerbaijan, allocates $10 million for military assistance to Armenia, and requires the U.S. government to develop a strategy protecting Armenians' rights in Nagorno-Karabakh. The bill also mandates a report on alleged Azerbaijani atrocities, authorizes $650 million for energy sector development in Armenia, and requires sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible for attacks and the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Maddy summaryHR 5619, the Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act of 2023, requires the Secretary of Agriculture to study how to directly certify military children for free or reduced-price school meals without additional applications. The bill directs a report by October 2024 evaluating options like using military housing allowance data and excluding non-service income from household calculations under existing school nutrition laws. This would affect children in households of active-duty military members, potentially streamlining eligibility for meals at schools. The bill itself is procedural, focusing on feasibility study rather than immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 5566, the *Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2023*, establishes an 18-year term limit for all Supreme Court justices. It requires the President to nominate one new justice every two years (during first and third years after presidential elections), with Senate confirmation within 90 days, and prohibits lifetime appointments. Current justices are automatically retired in order of service length as new justices are appointed, while retired justices may temporarily fill vacancies through a randomized process. The bill directly affects all sitting and future Supreme Court justices by restructuring appointments and retirement timelines.

Maddy summaryHR 5492, the Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2023, provides fertility treatment, counseling, and adoption assistance to military members and veterans with infertility conditions. The bill requires the Department of Defense to offer fertility preservation services like cryopreservation before deployment or hazardous assignments, and to cover fertility treatments including in vitro fertilization for current service members. For veterans, it adds fertility treatment and counseling to VA medical services, allows adoption assistance up to the cost of three adoptions, and mandates coordination between military and VA health systems. These provisions apply regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status, and are designed to support military families affected by service-related infertility.

Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 amends the Animal Welfare Act to strengthen enforcement of animal welfare standards. It gives the Attorney General authority to bring civil cases for violations, including seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation and injunctions to remove or relocate animals. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and Attorney General to coordinate through a new Memorandum of Understanding, focusing on repeat violators. These changes directly affect dealers, exhibitors, and enforcement agencies by expanding civil enforcement tools and clarifying jurisdiction over rule violations.