Rep. Scott H. Peters

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend House rules to allow members to vote by proxy and remotely attend committee meetings under specific health circumstances. It directly affects House members with a serious medical condition (including pregnancy-related) or those primarily caring for a spouse or dependent with such a condition. To qualify, a member must provide a doctor’s recommendation and a signed letter designating a proxy for voting or enabling remote committee participation. Remote committee attendance would count toward quorum and not be considered an absence, while proxy voting would let the designated member cast the absent member’s vote.

Maddy summaryThe LGBTQI+ and Women's History Education Act of 2023 would provide $2 million annually for five years to develop educational resources about women's and LGBTQI+ history for K-12 classrooms. The bill directs the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to create inclusive teaching materials that address historical gaps where women and LGBTQI+ individuals, particularly those of color and with disabilities, have been underrepresented. These resources would include digital content, print materials, and professional development for teachers to help implement more comprehensive curricula. The bill aims to address findings showing only 13% of named historical figures in textbooks are women and that LGBTQI+ history is often omitted or marginalized in school curricula. The program would require annual reports to Congress on how funds are used, with the program set to sunset in 2028.

Maddy summaryHR 4305, the Shelter Act, creates a 25% nonrefundable tax credit for individuals and businesses to offset costs of qualifying disaster mitigation improvements. Individuals can claim up to $2,500 annually for home upgrades like reinforced roofs, flood barriers, fire-resistant materials, or storm shelters, provided the property is in a federally designated disaster area and meets specific safety standards. Businesses may claim up to $5,000 for similar safety upgrades at their locations in disaster-prone zones. The credit phases out for higher-income taxpayers (individuals over $100,000 AGI, businesses over $5 million average gross receipts) and requires documentation proving compliance with building codes. The provisions apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to help low-income homeowners and affordable housing owners make their properties more resilient to climate-driven hazards like floods, wildfires, and extreme heat. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to award grants to states, tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations to fund weatherproofing upgrades - including natural solutions like rain gardens - and requires strict eligibility rules (e.g., income ≤300% of poverty level, or properties with long-term affordability restrictions). Grantees must use funds for climate adaptation projects, provide outreach, and prohibit rent hikes for two years on multifamily buildings receiving funding. The program authorizes $250 million annually for 2024-2029 to implement these concrete resilience improvements.

Maddy summaryHR 4289 prohibits "buy now, pay later" financing for firearms classified as "assault weapons" under the bill. It bans such loans for consumers purchasing these weapons and makes it illegal for dealers, manufacturers, or importers to accept funds from these loans for assault weapon sales. The law defines assault weapons to include rifles with features like folding stocks, detachable magazines, or pistol grips, and pistols with specific attachments or capacity limits. Violations carry $100,000 civil penalties assessed by the Attorney General. This directly affects consumers seeking to finance these weapons and the businesses selling them.

Maddy summaryHJRES 76 proposes renaming the Robert E. Lee Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery to the "Arlington House National Historic Site." This procedural bill would replace all official references to the memorial with the new name and repeal two prior resolutions (1955 and 1972) that established the memorial. The change affects how the site is identified in federal laws, documents, and records but does not alter its management or historical significance. The bill focuses solely on the official designation, not on policy changes or historical interpretation.

CHAMPVA Online Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a system under which applications for benefits under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA (CHAMPVA) may be submitted electronically through a VA website. The VA must also take other steps to ensure the online administration of the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship Program within the Fulbright exchange system to honor civil rights leader John Lewis and advance U.S. foreign policy through global civil rights education. It creates a new fellowship for U.S. early- to mid-career professionals, selecting at least 25 annually for 10-month programs to conduct research or intern with approved organizations in countries participating in Fulbright exchanges. Fellows must complete a work plan, attend an orientation in Washington, DC, and present findings at an annual summit, with the State Department covering costs for travel, lodging, and expenses. The program requires annual reports on participant demographics and program effectiveness, and expires seven years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Equality Act (HR 15) would amend federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations, housing, employment, credit, and jury service. It amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics under existing sex discrimination provisions. The bill would require businesses, housing providers, employers, and government entities to provide equal access and services without regard to a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. It includes specific definitions for gender identity and sexual orientation to clarify protections across all covered areas. The law would apply to all entities covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including those receiving federal funding.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 527 (HRES 527), introduced on June 20, 2023, is a symbolic resolution condemning the rise in antisemitic violence and harassment targeting Jewish Americans. It directly addresses Jewish Americans affected by recorded increases in antisemitic incidents, including attacks on synagogues and hate speech. The resolution calls on all members of Congress to denounce antisemitism, commit to combating it, and advance accurate Holocaust education while countering Holocaust denial. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional solidarity but does not create new laws or funding.