Rep. Frederica S. Wilson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to adjust contract prices to reimburse contractors for paying employees during government funding lapses (e.g., shutdowns). It covers costs for furloughed, laid-off, or reduced-hour workers, or for restoring paid leave used during the lapse, with a weekly cap of $1,442 per employee. Directly affecting federal contractors and their employees who experienced work disruptions due to funding gaps, it mandates agencies to make these adjustments promptly after enactment. Contractors must provide proof of costs, and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy must report on implementation to Congress within a year.

Maddy summaryHR 5784 would provide federal grants to public schools (including Bureau of Indian Education schools) to make them more environmentally sustainable and equitable. It prioritizes schools in the most vulnerable communities (based on CDC Social Vulnerability Index) for full funding to become "healthy zero-carbon schools" through energy-efficient retrofits and new construction, while offering reduced funding for less vulnerable schools. The grants require community engagement in planning, mandate hiring from local communities with specific diversity goals, fund social services and mental health support, and include strict energy efficiency standards for all projects. The bill also includes funding for educational equity planning and climate resiliency programs to help schools serve as community centers during disasters.

Maddy summaryThe WIC for Kids Act expands eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) by adding new qualifying pathways. It allows children to qualify if they live in households where someone receives Head Start, Indian reservation food assistance, or Puerto Rico/Northern Mariana Islands nutrition block grants, and streamlines documentation by permitting states to use existing records. The bill extends certification periods for children from one to two years and automatically enrolls infants born to current WIC participants. This directly affects low-income families with children who qualify for related assistance programs but previously faced barriers to WIC access.

This concurrent resolution (1) recognizes the 133 years of significant and meaningful contributions the 1890 Institutions (i.e., historically Black universities established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890) have made to the United States, (2) supports the efforts of the Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies to build stronger partnerships with such institutions, and (3) commits to working in a bipartisan way to address the past funding and program inequities of such institutions.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 67 designates the week of September 17-23, 2023, as "National Fall Prevention Awareness Week" to highlight fall risks among older adults (aged 65+). It cites CDC data showing falls cause ~39,000 preventable deaths and $50 billion in annual medical costs for this group. The resolution supports existing evidence-based fall prevention programs - like balance exercises, home hazard reduction, and medication management - and encourages collaboration between federal agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers to raise awareness. It does not create new laws but formally recognizes ongoing efforts to reduce falls.

Maddy summaryHRES 693 designates September 9 as "National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness (NAIRHHA) Day" to highlight health disparities affecting African immigrant and refugee communities in the U.S. It recognizes these communities face significantly higher rates of HIV (6x the general population) and hepatitis B (10% prevalence) due to barriers like stigma, language gaps, immigration status fears, and misclassification in health data. The resolution aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote culturally appropriate education, testing, and treatment access. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new laws or funding but encourages greater attention to these health needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to require all U.S. colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to create detailed anti-harassment policies covering physical, online, and institution-sponsored settings. It mandates policies prohibiting harassment based on race, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, religion, and other protected characteristics, including harassment via institutional email, computers, or electronic messaging. The bill also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund colleges developing prevention programs, victim support services, and training for students and staff on recognizing and addressing harassment. These policies and grants must comply with existing civil rights laws like Title IX but add specific requirements for reporting and prevention.

Maddy summaryThe Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2023 requires companies with over $50 million in annual revenue or that handle data for more than 1 million consumers to assess how their automated decision systems might negatively impact people before and after deployment. These companies must document potential biases related to protected characteristics like race, gender, and age, and submit annual summary reports to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC will create a public repository with anonymized information about these systems to help consumers understand how automated decisions affect critical areas like housing, employment, and healthcare. The law aims to increase transparency around automated decision-making while requiring companies to implement measures for consumers to contest or appeal decisions.

Maddy summaryThe REDUCE Act of 2023 imposes an excise tax on virgin plastic resin and certain single-use plastic products, starting at 10 cents per pound in 2024 and increasing to 20 cents per pound by 2026 (with annual inflation adjustments). The tax applies to manufacturers, producers, and importers of plastic products, with exemptions for small businesses producing less than 10 tons annually. Revenue from the tax will fund the Plastic Waste Reduction Fund, which will support recycling infrastructure, reuse systems, and marine debris cleanup efforts. The bill specifically excludes medical products, certain packaging, and hygiene items from the tax requirements.

Venezuelans Overcoming Interference and Corruption in Elections Act or the VOICE Act This bill requires the President to impose sanctions on any foreign persons who prevent opposition candidates from participating in the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election. Specifically, the President must impose sanctions on any foreign persons (including Venezuelan officials) who prevent opposition candidates from participating in, or who materially assist in preventing opposition candidates from participating in, the 2024 Venezuelan presidential elections. Sanctions include asset blocking, inadmissibility into the United States, and visa revocation. The President may waive sanctions based on a determination that such a waiver is in the national interest of the United States.