Rep. Diana DeGette

Maddy summaryThe Atomic Energy Advancement Act modernizes nuclear energy regulation and deployment in the United States. It requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to update its mission to prioritize efficient licensing while maintaining safety standards, establishes reduced fees for advanced reactor applicants, and creates a prize program to reward the first successful advanced reactor licensing. The bill also streamlines environmental reviews for nuclear projects at brownfield sites and extends the Price-Anderson Act, which limits liability for nuclear accidents. Additionally, it mandates the Commission to develop risk-informed oversight procedures for nuclear facilities.

Maddy summaryHRES 1032 is a symbolic resolution designating the week of February 26-March 1, 2024, as "Public Schools Week" in the U.S. House of Representatives. It expresses congressional support for public education, highlighting its role in preparing students and communities. The resolution has no legal effect or funding provisions - it solely serves as a formal expression of backing for public schools. It directly affects no individuals or entities but aims to raise awareness about public education. This is a non-binding gesture, not a policy change.

Protecting Front Line Multimission Hospitals Act of 2024 This bill allows for increased payment adjustments under Medicaid for certain hospitals that provide multiple types of services for Medicaid-eligible or uninsured individuals (i.e., multimission hospitals). Specifically, the bill allows hospitals to receive higher disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid for costs associated with physician services, emergency medical services, or services provided at federally qualified health centers or other clinical outpatient settings, if such services are provided to maintain a certain level of care under Medicaid. The hospital's patient population must meet certain higher indexes with respect to the number of Medicaid-eligible and uninsured individuals served. Additionally, state Medicaid programs must ensure that relevant payment plans for these hospitals support the financial viability of the hospitals and their ability to provide the requisite level of care under Medicaid.

Maddy summaryHRES 966 is a symbolic resolution condemning alleged sexual violence committed by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. It specifically references eyewitness accounts, forensic evidence, and Hamas fighters' admissions of ordering gang rape, sexual mutilation, and assault against Israeli civilians. The resolution calls for international condemnation of such acts as weapons of war, urges nations to criminalize sexual violence, and supports investigations into Hamas' actions. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals but formally expresses the House's position on the issue.

Maddy summaryThe DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2024 establishes a new National Institutes of Health (NIH) research program focused on Down syndrome, called the INCLUDE Project. It authorizes $250 million annually from 2025 to 2030 to study the biological causes of Down syndrome and related health conditions - such as Alzheimer's disease, heart issues, and autoimmune disorders - to develop better treatments and improve quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome. The NIH must coordinate this research to avoid duplication, provide technical support to grantees, and submit biennial reports to Congress on progress. This initiative directly benefits people with Down syndrome by advancing medical research for their unique health needs, while ensuring funds supplement existing NIH programs.

Maddy summaryHR 7127, the FAIR Act, establishes pay adjustments for federal employees in 2025. It increases base pay by 4% for most federal workers under statutory pay systems and for "prevailing rate" employees (like those in specific geographic areas), while raising locality pay rates by 3.4%. The bill directly affects all federal employees receiving pay under these systems, as it modifies their 2025 salary calculations. These changes are based on statutory formulas under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, with no new policy mechanisms beyond the specified percentage increases. The adjustments apply to pay rates in effect as of the end of fiscal year 2024.

Maddy summaryThe SWIMS Act of 2024 bans the captivity of orcas, beluga whales, false killer whales, and pilot whales for public display in the United States. It prohibits exporting, importing, or taking these animals for display - except for relocation to a sanctuary meeting specific welfare standards or release into the wild. The bill also makes it illegal to breed these species for public display. This directly affects marine parks and aquariums that currently display these animals, preventing them from acquiring new animals for exhibits or breeding them for that purpose.

Maddy summaryThe ACCESS Act of 2024 creates a federal grant program to help clinics and health care providers expand abortion and reproductive health services in states where abortion is legal (outside of life or health exceptions). It authorizes $200 million annually for fiscal years 2024-2028 to fund specific capacity-building activities, including facility expansions, hiring clinical staff, telehealth services, and culturally appropriate patient resources. Priority is given to providers in states experiencing the highest increases in out-of-state patients seeking abortion care. The bill directly supports health care entities serving patients who travel across state lines for services, aiming to reduce wait times and improve access for vulnerable communities.

Maddy summaryHR 7056, the Access to Family Building Act, establishes federal rights for individuals to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) like IVF without unreasonable restrictions, directly affecting patients seeking fertility treatments and health care providers offering ART services. The bill prohibits states from imposing limitations on ART that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures, fail to advance safety, or unduly restrict access, while allowing health and safety regulations that are necessary and least restrictive. It creates federal enforcement mechanisms, including lawsuits by the Attorney General or affected individuals to challenge violating state laws, and preempts conflicting state regulations. The bill explicitly preserves state authority over health/safety regulations and does not alter existing state insurance coverage laws for ART.

Maddy summaryThe Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act establishes a new federal grant program to improve public transportation service. It provides funding to urban areas, states, and Indian tribes to cover up to 50% of public transit operating costs (up to 80% in persistent poverty areas and 100% for Indian tribes), with requirements to report on service frequency, access to jobs, and conduct community surveys. The program mandates that a majority of funds must benefit underserved communities and areas of persistent poverty, defined as census tracts with high poverty rates or minority populations. Recipients must maintain their transit funding levels and report on improvements in access to essential services. The bill authorizes $20 billion annually for fiscal years 2024-2027.