Rep. Lucy McBath

Maddy summaryHR 3507, the "Yes In My Backyard Act," requires local governments receiving certain federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to report on their progress toward adopting specific housing-friendly land use policies. It directly affects cities and counties that administer CDBG funds by mandating they submit plans tracking 22+ policy changes, such as allowing duplexes in single-family zones, reducing parking requirements, or streamlining permits. The bill does not require local governments to adopt these policies but requires them to document their current status and plans for implementation. This reporting mechanism aims to identify barriers to affordable housing without binding local governments to specific actions. The requirement applies to CDBG recipients starting one year after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Equal Pay for Equal Work Act establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to strengthen enforcement of existing equal pay laws. The task force, made up of representatives from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, and Office of Personnel Management, will coordinate efforts to investigate pay disparities and develop solutions. It will create action plans to address enforcement gaps and improve public education about pay equity. This bill directly affects federal agencies and workers facing wage discrimination by enhancing how equal pay laws are enforced across government.

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.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding House resolution expresses the House's support for keeping guns out of schools by stating federal funds should not be used to arm school personnel or provide them firearm training. It references existing laws like the STOP School Violence Act (2018) and research showing arming staff does not improve safety, citing data on failed interventions and disproportionate impacts on students of color. The resolution affirms current policy guidance without creating new legal requirements. It serves as a formal statement of the House's position based on evidence and existing legislative frameworks.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 9242) renames a U.S. Department of Agriculture facility in Athens, Georgia, as the "Abit Massey Poultry Research Center." It directly affects the U.S. National Poultry Research Center and all federal documents referencing it, requiring updates to official records, maps, and publications. The bill makes no policy changes; it solely updates the facility's name and all related government references to honor Abit Massey.

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 amends the Higher Education Act to require colleges and universities receiving federal funds to implement evidence-based programs preventing alcohol and substance misuse among students and staff, replacing outdated terms like "drug abuse" with "substance misuse." It creates a new $15 million annual grant program (for fiscal years 2025-2030) to fund recovery services, peer support, integrated health care, overdose prevention, and crisis training. Grants can support campus-based services like counseling, re-entry assistance for students on academic probation due to substance use, and coordination with community health providers. The bill also mandates interagency coordination between education and health agencies to develop best practices and requires institutions to certify compliance with prevention program requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 9196, the Pregnancy Empowerment Act of 2024, prohibits states from delaying or denying divorce petitions solely because a person is pregnant. This directly affects pregnant individuals - particularly women of color and those experiencing intimate partner violence - who face barriers to finalizing divorces during pregnancy, trapping them in abusive relationships. The bill mandates that states cannot consider pregnancy status when processing divorce filings, addressing findings that such delays increase risks of violence and reproductive coercion. It aims to remove legal obstacles that prevent pregnant people from accessing divorce, a critical step for safety and autonomy.

Maddy summaryHR 9185, the Helping Student Parents Succeed Act, requires colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to create and publicly share clear policies supporting expectant and parenting students. The bill mandates institutions to outline specific provisions including pregnancy-related leave options, lactation accommodations, financial aid details (like dependency status changes and childcare cost adjustments), and access to support services such as childcare, housing, and mental health resources. These policies must be posted on the school’s website and cover complaint procedures under Title IX and disability laws. The law directly affects student parents enrolled at participating institutions under the Higher Education Act, ensuring they have transparent, accessible information about their rights and available resources.

Maddy summaryThe SIMPLE Act creates automatic enrollment in income-driven repayment plans for federal student loan borrowers who are delinquent on payments or rehabilitating defaulted loans. The Department of Education would use IRS tax return information (with borrower approval) to determine income and family size, then automatically enroll eligible borrowers in the lowest-cost repayment plan available. Borrowers would receive detailed notifications about their repayment options, including monthly payment amounts based on their income, and could opt out of automatic enrollment or update their information. The bill applies to borrowers of "covered loans" as defined in the Higher Education Act, and would take effect for the 2026-2027 award year.