Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Maddy summaryHRES 1525 is a non-binding resolution calling for the U.S. government to address policies contributing to forced migration and displacement. It urges reforms such as overhauling economic sanctions, investing in developing countries to reduce poverty and instability, and reforming trade agreements to protect workers. The resolution also calls for expanding legal immigration pathways, improving asylum processing, and creating a roadmap to citizenship for immigrants living in the U.S. As a resolution, it does not create new laws but sets policy priorities for future legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts receiving federal education funds to create emergency response plans and notify parents/guardians about specific covered emergencies. It directly affects all local school districts under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, mandating timely alerts for incidents like active shooters, weapons use, bomb threats, violent crimes, natural disasters, or hazardous conditions. Key provisions include developing plans with public safety agencies, standardizing alarm responses, and clearly identifying who contacts emergency services during crises. The law defines "covered emergencies" to include threats like sexual misconduct involving staff, trespassing, fires, and severe weather. School districts must implement these procedures as a condition for receiving federal funding under the ESEA.

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 summaryHRES 1513 is a symbolic House resolution affirming that the term "woke" originates from Black history and liberation movements, not modern political discourse. It highlights historical roots, including Marcus Garvey’s "Wake up Ethiopia!" and 1940s labor activism, while condemning media and right-wing groups for misusing and distorting the term (e.g., the Stop W.O.K.E. Act). The resolution encourages accurate historical use of "woke" and opposes efforts to erase its connection to social justice. It does not create new laws but directly addresses Black educators and movements targeted by legislation seeking to limit inclusive history teaching.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally censures Representative Glen Clay Higgins (LA-03) for a September 25, 2024, social media post containing racist remarks and false claims about Haitians. The bill requires Higgins to appear in the House chamber to receive the censure, with the resolution publicly read by the Speaker. It specifically references his post describing Haiti as "the nastiest country," falsely accusing Haitians of eating pets, and labeling them "slapstick gangsters and thugs." The censure is a formal disciplinary action by the House, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens federal crime victims' rights by clarifying and expanding their entitlements in criminal cases. It requires federal prosecutors to inform victims about plea bargains, case resolutions, and their rights, and creates a new "crime victims' rights card" with contact information for support services. The bill establishes an Administrative Authority within the Department of Justice to handle complaints about rights violations, with procedures for investigation and potential sanctions. It also mandates trauma-informed training for DOJ employees and requires annual congressional reports on how victims' rights are being upheld. The bill directly affects crime victims in federal cases by enhancing their ability to participate in proceedings and seek remedies for rights violations.

Maddy summaryHR 9857, "Mel’s Law," requires U.S. colleges and universities to establish a policy for awarding posthumous degrees to students who died before completing their degree programs. Specifically, it mandates that institutions must certify they have a policy to award such degrees to deceased students who were enrolled, died prior to graduation, and met the academic standing requirements for graduation at the time of death. The bill also amends accreditation standards to ensure they do not consider the number of posthumous degrees awarded when evaluating institutions. The law takes effect one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends VA regulations to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover both the purchase price and shipping costs for adaptive vehicles delivered to veterans. It directly affects veterans who receive VA-funded adaptive vehicles under Section 3902 of Title 38, U.S. Code. The key change updates the payment mechanism so veterans no longer bear the cost of shipping the vehicle to their location. This policy change simplifies the process by ensuring full delivery costs are covered in a single VA payment.

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.