Rep. Sara Jacobs

Maddy summaryHRES 1588 is a House resolution supporting Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) by recognizing the epidemic of violence against transgender people and memorializing those killed between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. It specifically honors 38 transgender or gender-nonconforming individuals whose lives were lost to violence during that period, highlighting that transgender women of color face disproportionate risks. The resolution acknowledges systemic issues like underreporting, barriers to healthcare, and higher rates of homelessness and suicide within the community. It calls for the U.S. government to prioritize solutions to this violence while affirming transgender people's right to dignity and safety. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes these issues for congressional record.

Maddy summaryHRES 1328 is a congressional resolution recognizing the actions of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias against non-Arab ethnic communities in Darfur - including the Masalit people - as genocide under international law. It cites evidence of mass killings, sexual violence, forced displacement, and targeted attacks on leaders, meeting the Genocide Convention's definition of acts intended to destroy a group. The resolution calls on the U.S. government to support humanitarian access, document atrocities, fund local aid, and review Sudan's genocide determination every six months. As a symbolic resolution (not a law), it does not impose new legal requirements but formally condemns the RSF's actions and urges U.S. diplomatic and humanitarian measures. It directly affects Masalit and other non-Arab communities in Darfur facing systemic violence.

Maddy summaryThe Half-Century Update for Water Access and Affordability Act establishes a federal program to provide financial assistance to low-income households struggling to pay water bills. It requires states and water utilities to implement programs that offer direct bill discounts, debt relief, water efficiency upgrades, and crisis assistance to households earning up to 200% of the poverty level or 80% of local median income. The bill prohibits disconnections for non-payment, allows automatic enrollment for households already receiving other federal assistance, and mandates data collection to track program impacts on water service access. The legislation authorizes $20 billion annually from 2025-2035 to fund this assistance, with specific requirements to ensure universal access and prevent discrimination in program implementation.

Maddy summaryHRES 1552 is a symbolic House resolution expressing support for recognizing October 26, 2024, as Intersex Awareness Day. It encourages federal, state, and local governments, schools, healthcare providers, and organizations to observe the day through educational programs and activities that celebrate intersex identity and promote awareness. The resolution specifically urges healthcare systems to provide culturally competent care for intersex individuals and schools to incorporate education about intersex diversity. It does not create new laws or policies but aligns with existing federal actions recognizing intersex rights and health equity. The resolution directly supports the intersex community and aims to foster greater public understanding of their experiences.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement within the U.S. Department of State. The council, composed of up to 12 members representing diverse African American and African immigrant communities, advises the Secretary of State on strengthening U.S. government connections with the African diaspora in the United States. Key functions include recommending strategies to advance equity, support UN initiatives, expand cultural and economic programs (like the Young African Leaders Initiative), and foster diaspora engagement in trade and development. The council meets quarterly, reports to relevant congressional committees, and operates using existing Department of State funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates out-of-pocket costs for all FDA-approved contraceptives under TRICARE for military dependents (spouses and children) and extends full coverage to include counseling, insertion, removal, and follow-up care. It requires TRICARE Select, Prime, and pharmacy benefits to cover all contraceptive methods without cost-sharing, addressing current gaps where dependents face copays. The law also mandates family planning education for all service members and ensures sexual assault survivors can access emergency contraception without barriers at military medical facilities. This applies to all individuals with reproductive capacity, including transgender and non-binary dependents.

Maddy summaryHR 9878, the No Shame at School Act of 2024, requires schools to automatically certify students from households with unpaid meal fees for free or reduced-price meals (instead of allowing discretion), and mandates retroactive reimbursement for past unpaid meals. It directly affects school districts and students in households owing meal fees by prohibiting stigmatizing practices like special tokens, public lists of names, or withholding grades due to unpaid fees. Key provisions ban schools from physically segregating students, using debt collectors, or taking food away from students who owe fees, while requiring clear communication to households about meal applications. The bill defines "covered child" as any student enrolled in a participating school meal program whose household owes fees or is eligible for free/reduced meals.

Maddy summaryThe Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2024 (HR 9875) establishes a Children's Commission to represent children's interests in federal policymaking. The Commission, composed of 15 diverse members including experts, youth with lived experience, and representatives from various backgrounds, will advise Congress and federal agencies on policies affecting children, particularly marginalized youth defined as those experiencing systemic barriers. The Commission will review agency actions, receive complaints about how children are treated, and publish annual reports with recommendations to improve child well-being policies. It is authorized $5 million annually for operations and must study the feasibility of requiring agencies to create "child impact statements" assessing how policies affect children.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords in privatized military housing from requiring service members or their families to sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) related to housing issues. It amends federal law to remove language that allowed such agreements, specifically eliminating requirements for NDAs "in connection with the provision by the landlord of services related to the housing unit." The change directly affects military families living in privatized housing by preventing landlords from silencing them about housing conditions. The key mechanism is the removal of mandatory NDA clauses, ensuring families can discuss housing problems without legal restrictions. This creates a clearer path for military families to report issues without fear of being bound by restrictive agreements.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 130 is a symbolic concurrent resolution commending state and local governments that treat reproductive rights as human rights following the *Dobbs* decision. It recognizes efforts by cities like Austin, Texas, and Montgomery County, Maryland, to expand abortion access and condemn criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. The resolution affirms that reproductive rights are human rights, urges states to repeal restrictive laws, and references U.S. obligations under international human rights treaties. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies.