Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Maddy summaryHRES 580 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House's support for designating "Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day." It honors lineworkers who work in hazardous conditions (such as at heights near live wires) and respond to disasters like hurricanes and wildfires, while recognizing their contributions and the legacy of Henry Miller, an early electrical worker who died on the job. The resolution has no legal effect - it solely encourages public recognition and reflection on these workers' service.

Maddy summaryThe PLAYS in Youth Sports Act establishes federal grant programs to improve youth sports access, safety, and health for underserved children. It provides up to $2.5 million in grants to national nonprofits and $250,000 to local organizations, requiring them to fund subgrants for regional sports groups. These subgrants - ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 - must support coaching training (emphasizing child development over winning), reducing participation barriers for low-income or disabled youth, and implementing safety measures like background checks and concussion protocols. The bill allocates $75 million total, with a focus on evidence-based practices to increase healthy sports participation and safety across communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $30 million annually (2024-2028) for the National Institutes of Health to expand research on uterine fibroids, including studies on racial disparities (noting Black women are 80% likely to develop fibroids by menopause versus 70% of White women). It also requires the creation of a Medicaid database to track treatment services for fibroids and mandates a congressional report on related costs and coverage. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop public education materials about fibroid symptoms, treatment options (including non-hysterectomy care), and racial prevalence differences. It directly affects women with fibroids - particularly those from racial minority groups - and aims to improve data collection and awareness around a condition causing significant health burdens and healthcare costs.

Maddy summaryJaime’s Law requires federal background checks for ammunition purchases by expanding existing firearm background check rules to include ammunition. It mandates that unlicensed buyers must transfer ammunition through a licensed dealer (e.g., a gun store), who conducts the background check before completing the sale. The law includes exemptions for transfers between family members, law enforcement, transfers due to death, immediate self-defense situations, and legitimate shooting or hunting activities (with specific conditions). It explicitly states the law does not create a national ammunition registry and does not override state laws on ammunition.

Maddy summaryHR 4588, the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2023, renames and enhances the existing "IDEAS" grant program to increase U.S. student participation in study abroad. It authorizes $10 million annually to fund competitive grants for colleges and universities (especially minority-serving institutions and those with world language programs), requiring grantees to demonstrate plans for expanding access to underrepresented students, ensuring diversity in participation, and prioritizing study in developing countries. The bill sets a goal of 1 million U.S. undergraduates studying abroad annually within 10 years, with a focus on low-income students, students of color, and community college attendees who are currently underrepresented. It mandates annual reports to Congress on program implementation and requires grantees to maintain health/safety protocols for students abroad.

Maddy summaryHR 4579, the Fairness for Farm Workers Act, amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to establish phased overtime requirements for agricultural workers. Starting in 2024, most farm employers must pay overtime for hours worked beyond 55 per week (reducing to 50 in 2025, 45 in 2026, and 40 in 2027), with small farms (25 or fewer employees) getting a 3-year delay on the full 40-hour standard. The bill also removes existing exemptions that allowed some agricultural employers to avoid overtime pay for certain workers. This directly affects farm workers in agriculture and their employers, requiring compliance with standard overtime rules previously not applied to this sector.

Maddy summaryHRES 579 is a U.S. House resolution condemning Cuba's ongoing repression of citizens following peaceful protests on July 11, 2021. It specifically calls for the immediate release of over 600 arbitrarily detained Cuban citizens, including minors, who were imprisoned for exercising rights to free expression and assembly. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to advocate for their release, support Cuban civil society, recognize a 2023 Inter-American Court ruling holding Cuba responsible for murders of activists, and work with international partners to deny Cuba a second term on the UN Human Rights Council. It expresses U.S. solidarity with Cuban protesters and commits to supporting Cuba's transition to a government respecting human rights and democratic freedoms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires national parks to reduce disposable plastic products, primarily targeting plastic water bottles and food containers sold to visitors. Park directors must eliminate these sales where feasible after considering factors like operational costs, waste reduction, infrastructure for refill stations, and impacts on park vendors. Each park must also implement visitor education about water availability and report biennially on progress, including visitor satisfaction and safety metrics. The law directly affects all national park units, concessionaire businesses, and park visitors. It mandates a phased, practical approach without banning all plastics immediately.

Maddy summaryThe DISCLOSE Act of 2023 would increase transparency in political spending by requiring organizations making campaign-related disbursements over $10,000 to disclose the names and addresses of their major donors, including the top five funders for political communications. It would close loopholes allowing foreign nationals to secretly fund election activities through corporations or other entities by expanding the definition of prohibited foreign contributions. The bill would mandate "stand by every ad" disclosure requirements for political communications across all media, including audio, video, and internet ads, requiring clear identification of funders. It would also require reporting of disbursements related to Federal judicial nominations, which currently aren't subject to disclosure requirements. These provisions would apply to corporations, labor organizations, and certain nonprofits that engage in political activity.

Making Condos Safer and Affordable Act of 2023 This bill allows the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure a mortgage taken out by a condominium association for the purpose of repairs, improvements, or alterations to any common system, infrastructure, or facility of the condominium. The bill also allows the FHA to insure a mortgage taken out by a condominium unit owner to pay for special assessments charged by the association for repairs, improvements, or alterations to any common system, infrastructure, or facility of the condominium.