Rep. Joe Courtney

Maddy summaryHRES 956 is a symbolic resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning an antisemitic attack that occurred during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, on December 14, 2025. It expresses strong condemnation of the shooting (which caused deaths and injuries), extends condolences to victims and the Australian Jewish community, and affirms the right to worship freely. The resolution also reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating antisemitism and terrorism and urges the Australian government to address rising antisemitism and protect religious communities. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution (HRES 952) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for Gibraltar's right to determine its own political status as a British Overseas Territory through self-determination. It recognizes Gibraltar's democratic choices - where over 98% of voters chose to remain under British sovereignty in 1967 and 2002 - and highlights Gibraltar's historical role in U.S. military operations, including World War II and NATO missions. The resolution affirms that Gibraltarians' views must be central to any discussions about Gibraltar's future status, while acknowledging the territory's strategic importance to U.S. security interests in the Mediterranean. As a non-binding resolution, it does not alter U.S. policy but formally honors Gibraltar's contributions and right to self-determination under international law.

Essential Caregivers Act of 2025   This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods.   Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period. Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.

Maddy summaryHR 6731, the "Restore Trust in Government Act," requires Members of Congress, the President/Vice President, and their spouses or dependent children to divest certain financial investments during federal service. It defines "covered investments" broadly (including stocks, commodities, and derivatives) but excludes Treasury bonds, municipal bonds, family farm interests, and some Alaska Native Settlement stock. Covered individuals must sell holdings within 90-180 days of taking office or enacting the law, with limited exceptions for qualified blind trusts or spouses’ occupational trading. Violations incur a 10% fee on the investment value and require returning profits, paid to the Treasury. Ethics offices enforce these rules, publish penalty details, and issue divestiture certificates.

Maddy summaryThe Protect America's Workforce Act cancels an executive order issued on March 27, 2025, that excluded certain groups from federal labor-management relations programs, making it legally unenforceable. It also ensures that all collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and labor unions, which were active as of March 26, 2025, remain fully effective until their agreed terms expire. This directly affects federal agencies, labor unions, and the employees covered by these agreements. The bill prevents federal funds from being used to implement the canceled executive order while preserving existing labor agreements.

Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act This act provides for the award of Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team in recognition of the team's achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.

Maddy summaryHR 6597, the LET’S Protect Workers Act, increases civil penalties for employers violating key labor laws to strengthen worker protections. It raises fines for child labor violations to up to $700,000 per incident causing death or serious injury, and doubles penalties for repeated wage/hour violations (up to $50,000 per violation). The bill also significantly boosts OSHA penalties (e.g., up to $800,000 for serious violations), adds new retaliation penalties for mine safety violations (up to $200,000 for repeat offenses), and clarifies that recordkeeping violations continue until corrected. These changes apply to employers across sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, and mining, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Mine Safety Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for workers' compensation medical care under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act by adding nurse practitioners and physician assistants as covered providers. It directly affects injured federal workers who can now receive care from these professionals within their state-authorized scope of practice. Key provisions redefine "other eligible provider" in the law and update related sections to replace "physician" with "physician or other eligible provider" throughout the statute. The bill requires the Secretary of Labor to issue final regulations within six months of enactment to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes comprehensive name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes, prohibiting institutions from restricting athletes' ability to earn compensation for their personal branding or taking adverse action against them for doing so. It requires transparent NIL agreements for compensation over $600, including specific details about services, compensation amounts, and termination terms. The bill also amends immigration laws to better accommodate international student athletes participating in college sports and updates regulations governing sports agents. Additionally, it establishes a Commission to study college athletics governance, focusing on collective bargaining, revenue sharing, and Title IX compliance, while expanding disclosure requirements for colleges regarding athletics revenue and expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates securities laws to expand exemptions for retirement plans used by charities and educational institutions. It specifically modifies definitions in the Investment Company Act, Securities Act, and Securities Exchange Act to include 403(b) plans meeting certain conditions - such as being subject to ERISA, having employer fiduciary oversight, or being governmental plans. These changes reduce regulatory hurdles for organizations offering these plans, making it easier to administer retirement benefits for their employees. The bill directly affects charities, schools, and other non-profits that sponsor 403(b) retirement plans.