Rep. Frederica S. Wilson

Maddy summaryHR 4122, the Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to honor Henrietta Lacks for her contribution to medical science through the HeLa cell line. The bill directs the Treasury to strike the medal recognizing how her cells enabled major medical advances, including the polio vaccine and cancer treatments, without altering any laws or policies. The medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution to commemorate her legacy in scientific research and bioethics. This is a purely commemorative measure with no direct effect on current legislation or affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThe College for All Act of 2023 would create a federal-state partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students at public community colleges and 4-year institutions. It would provide federal funding to cover tuition costs for students from families earning up to $125,000 annually (or $250,000 for married couples) at public institutions, with states gradually increasing their financial contribution over time. The bill also includes provisions to support historically Black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and expands Pell Grant eligibility to include Dreamers. States would be required to maintain funding levels for higher education and implement specific reforms to improve student outcomes, including transfer pathways and support services.

Maddy summaryHR 4083, the Charter Oversight, Accountability, and Transparency Act (COAT Act), requires private organizations managing charter schools to disclose detailed financial and operational information annually. It mandates public disclosure of executive salaries, administrative costs, school spending breakdowns, and organizational structure (for-profit or nonprofit) for all charter schools they operate. The bill also requires these organizations to hold publicly accessible board meetings with advance notice and ensures all disclosed data is posted on the Department of Education website within six months. This applies to all private charter management organizations operating or managing charter schools in any state.

Maddy summaryHR 4021, the Fair and Open Skies Act, amends U.S. aviation law to require that the Department of Transportation consider labor standards when reviewing international air transport agreements. Specifically, it adds "preventing the undermining of labor standards" as a mandatory factor in the public interest test for approving such agreements under 49 U.S.C. § 40101. This change directly affects international airlines seeking to operate flights to or from the U.S. and the DOT, which must now evaluate whether proposed agreements could weaken U.S. labor protections. The bill updates existing provisions by replacing outdated language about "agreements with the United States Government" and explicitly including labor standards in the evaluation criteria.

Maddy summaryHRES 500 is a non-binding House resolution commemorating the seventh anniversary of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. It honors the 49 victims killed in the attack, expresses condolences to their families, and acknowledges the community's response to the tragedy. The resolution also recognizes coordinated efforts by law enforcement and expresses ongoing support for those affected, while noting broader efforts like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to address gun violence. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic gesture of remembrance.

Maddy summaryThe CARE Act of 2023 strengthens protections for child farmworkers by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. It raises minimum age requirements (restricting 14-15 year olds to family farms outside school hours, and limiting 16-17 year olds to family farm work outside school hours), repeals a waiver allowing children in hand-harvest labor, and increases penalties for violations (up to $60,115 for serious injury or death). The bill requires employers to report work-related injuries or deaths of child farmworkers under 18 and mandates annual reports to Congress on child farmworker safety data. It also prohibits children under 18 from working as pesticide handlers, directly affecting an estimated 100,000+ child farmworkers in the U.S.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Venezuelans already living in the U.S. since before December 31, 2021, to apply for permanent residency. Eligible individuals must have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least one year (with limited absences) and cannot have certain serious criminal convictions. It waives some immigration barriers that would normally block permanent status and provides work permits while applications are processed. Family members (spouses, children, or unmarried adult children) of eligible applicants would also qualify. The bill does not change overall visa numbers or create new immigration pathways.

Maddy summaryHRES 490 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of June 12-18, 2023, as "National Men’s Health Week." It acknowledges persistent health disparities affecting men (such as higher rates of heart disease, cancer, and lower healthcare engagement) and urges the public to focus on preventive care. The resolution requests the President issue a proclamation encouraging nationwide observance through awareness events and health screenings. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes an existing annual observance established since 1994.

Maddy summaryThe Homeowners' Defense Act of 2023 establishes federal programs to help homeowners in disaster-prone areas prepare for and recover from natural catastrophes. It creates a National Catastrophe Risk Consortium to coordinate risk assessment, provides federal debt guarantees for state insurance programs to cover catastrophic losses, and establishes a reinsurance program to share risk with private insurers. The bill also creates a grant program to help homeowners retrofit properties to withstand disasters and reduce future damage. To qualify for federal support, state insurance programs must meet specific requirements including risk-based pricing, transparency about potential costs, and providing mitigation services. This legislation aims to strengthen insurance markets in high-risk areas and reduce the burden on taxpayers after major disasters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies collecting demographic survey data to begin including questions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics (intersex traits) within 360 days of enactment. Agencies must review existing surveys to identify gaps, develop privacy-protective methods for collecting this data (including anonymization and data destruction protocols), and incorporate it into relevant reports within three years. The law applies to all federal surveys that collect standard demographic data (like race, ethnicity, and age), such as the census or health surveys, but does not compel individuals to disclose their status. It emphasizes maintaining confidentiality, allows limited agency waivers if standards can't be met, and mandates a congressional report on implementation within two years.