Rep. Lois Frankel

Maddy summaryHR 8199, the *Increasing Nutrition Access for Seniors Act of 2024*, would make it easier for seniors and disabled individuals in SNAP (food stamp) households to qualify for benefits. It expands certification periods to 36 months for households without earned income and creates a new standard medical deduction: states can automatically deduct $155 monthly (adjusted yearly for inflation) from income for seniors/disabled members who report over $35 in monthly medical expenses. States may also set higher deductions if they provide evidence of higher average medical costs in their area. These changes apply to new certification periods starting 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Older Americans Act to explicitly address loneliness among seniors by adding it to existing provisions about social isolation. It requires the federal government to prepare a report within five years, examining how current programs tackle loneliness's health impacts, geographic prevalence, and preventive services. The report must also analyze multigenerational family connections' role in reducing loneliness and recommend policy improvements. The bill directly affects older individuals served by programs under the Older Americans Act, focusing on health outcomes linked to social isolation. It does not create new funding but directs existing programs to coordinate services addressing loneliness.

Maddy summaryThe Elder Pride Protection Act of 2024 establishes a new federal task force (the ELDER Task Force) within the Department of Justice to address elder abuse targeting LGBTQI+ seniors. The task force, formed within 90 days of the bill's enactment, will study abuse patterns against LGBTQI+ individuals aged 60+, develop best practices for law enforcement, and create educational materials for prevention and response. It will coordinate federal, state, and local efforts and report to Congress within one year. The bill directly affects LGBTQI+ seniors facing abuse, focusing on concrete policy actions through research, resource development, and interagency coordination.

Maddy summaryHRES 1409 is a symbolic House resolution condemning Nicolás Maduro's regime for alleged election fraud in Venezuela's July 28, 2024 presidential election. It recognizes opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the president-elect based on observed vote tallies showing his decisive victory, and condemns the regime's refusal to release transparent results. The resolution calls for new sanctions against Maduro and his allies, demands respect for the election outcome, and urges diplomatic pressure to support Venezuela's democratic transition. This resolution directly addresses the Maduro regime's actions and expresses U.S. solidarity with Venezuelan voters and the opposition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' sense that the U.S. Postal Service should issue a commemorative stamp honoring Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley. It specifically directs the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (a USPS entity) to recommend such a stamp to the Postmaster General. The resolution highlights her historic role as the first Black officer in the Women’s Army Corps and her leadership of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during WWII, which cleared critical mail backlogs in Europe. This is a symbolic measure with no binding effect on USPS policy.

Tax Fairness for Survivors Act  This bill excludes from gross income, for income and payroll tax purposes, amounts received in connection with a claim of unlawful discrimination  as judgments, awards, or settlements with respect to assault or sexual harassment claims.

Maddy summaryThe Campus Accountability and Safety Act amends the Clery Act to require colleges and universities to collect and report more detailed statistics about campus incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking. It establishes new requirements for institutions to provide confidential support through "sexual and interpersonal violence specialists" who can help victims navigate reporting options and campus resources without triggering investigations. The bill mandates trauma-informed training for staff involved in addressing these incidents and requires institutions to provide clear information about their disciplinary processes and support services. It also creates specific reporting requirements about how many cases were reported to Title IX coordinators, how many victims sought campus disciplinary action, and how many cases were resolved through campus processes. Institutions that fail to comply may face civil penalties of up to 1% of their operating budget.

Maddy summaryHR 9274, the SHAWL Act, establishes two new Smithsonian museums: the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women’s History Museum. It authorizes both museums to be located within the National Mall’s "Reserve" area, overriding prior restrictions, and requires federal agencies managing potential sites to transfer jurisdiction to the Smithsonian after notifying congressional committees. The bill mandates that both museums accurately represent diverse cultures, histories, and viewpoints within Latino and women’s communities through exhibits and programs, requiring input from a broad range of community experts. It also requires the Smithsonian to submit biennial reports to Congress detailing compliance with these representation requirements.

Maddy summaryThe NO BAN Act (HR 9244) prohibits U.S. immigration authorities from denying visas or entry based on national origin, religion, or sex. It amends immigration law to explicitly ban such discrimination in visa decisions and tightens restrictions on the president’s power to suspend entry of certain groups under Section 212(f). The bill requires specific evidence, narrow tailoring, time limits, and congressional notification for any entry restriction, while mandating public reports on visa denials and waivers. It directly affects nonimmigrant visa applicants (e.g., students, workers) and federal agencies administering immigration policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, which provides federal funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to reduce backlogs in processing DNA evidence from crime scenes. It extends the program's funding period from fiscal years 2024 through 2029 (previously ending in 2024). The bill also updates audit requirements to ensure grant funds are used properly through 2029. This directly affects law enforcement agencies that receive these grants to accelerate DNA analysis for criminal investigations.