Rep. Jill N. Tokuda

Maddy summaryHCONRES 44 is a symbolic resolution recognizing a health and safety emergency for children linked to the Trump administration's climate policies. It claims these policies - unleashing fossil fuel production, blocking renewable energy, and suppressing climate science - disproportionately harm children through increased air pollution, extreme weather, and denied access to climate data. The resolution calls for reversing these policies, restoring the EPA's mission, and ensuring climate action aligns with protecting children's rights. It does not enact new laws or change policy, but serves as a formal congressional statement of concern.

Maddy summaryThe Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act creates federal funding programs to improve training for health professionals in palliative and hospice care. It authorizes $15 million annually for 2026-2030 to support grants for education programs that train doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health professionals in palliative care. The bill prioritizes programs serving rural or medically underserved areas, pediatric patients, and racial/ethnic minority populations. It establishes specific training requirements including interprofessional team-based care, patient and family engagement, and integration with primary care settings. The legislation also includes provisions to disseminate information about palliative care benefits to patients, families, and health professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using federal funds to detain or transport U.S. citizens during civil immigration enforcement actions. It directly affects ICE operations by blocking funding for any activity that would hold or move citizens outside the U.S. under immigration laws. The key mechanism is a specific funding restriction in the bill text, stating no funds may be used for detaining or transporting citizens. This applies to all civil immigration enforcement activities defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill does not create new enforcement powers but limits how existing funds can be spent.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal worker heat protection standards to prevent heat-related illness and injury. It requires employers to provide a workplace free from heat stress hazards, including access to cool water, scheduled rest breaks, shaded cooling areas, and training on heat illness symptoms. The Secretary of Labor must create these standards within one year, incorporating evidence-based practices like engineering controls (e.g., ventilation), administrative measures (e.g., adjusted schedules), and employer-paid personal protective equipment. The law directly affects all employers in high-heat work environments - such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing - and strengthens whistleblower protections for workers reporting safety violations.

Maddy summaryHR 4470, the *Removing Burdens From Organ Donation Act*, requires hospitals to electronically notify organ procurement agencies when a potential donor is deceased or near death, with remote access to updated electronic health records (EHRs). This applies to most hospitals starting two years after the law's enactment, but allows exemptions for rural hospitals lacking reliable internet, those hit by cyberattacks, or disaster-affected facilities. The bill mandates federal guidance for hospitals and EHR companies on implementation, plus annual reports on exemptions and a GAO study on costs, rural challenges, and transplant outcomes. It directly affects hospitals, organ procurement agencies, and EHR providers by streamlining donor notification processes.

Maddy summaryThe Child Care for Working Families Act creates a federal program to provide affordable, high-quality child care for working families with children under age 6. It would provide direct child care assistance through certificates or grants to parents, with no copayment required for families at or below 85% of state median income. The program requires states to implement quality standards for child care providers, including a tiered quality system and minimum wage requirements for staff (at least a living wage equivalent to elementary educators). The bill appropriates $20 billion for the program over five years, with additional funding for quality improvement initiatives and universal preschool services.

Maddy summaryHR 4396, the Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025, mandates a study by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) into the potential link between chemical hair straighteners and uterine cancer, with a specific focus on higher incidence rates among women of color. The study will review existing research, examine impacts across all racial and ethnic groups, analyze different hair straightener types (including those with dyes or bleach), and assess whether the FDA should require additional safety testing for these products. HHS must submit its study methodology within 45 days of the bill's enactment, begin the study within 180 days, and deliver a final report to Congress within two years. This bill does not create new regulations but directs a specific research effort to gather evidence on a potential health concern. The study directly affects women, particularly women of color, who use hair straightening products and may face elevated uterine cancer risks.

Farmers First Act of 2025 This bill extends through FY2030 and revises the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). This Department of Agriculture program provides competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide stress assistance programs (i.e., professional agricultural behavioral health counseling, helplines, and resources) to individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and agriculture-related occupations. The bill specifies that the grant funding for farm telephone helplines and websites may also be used for crisis lines. Further, FRSAN grant recipients may establish referral relationships with providers, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, health centers, rural health clinics, and critical access hospitals.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to significantly increase federal research funding for uterine fibroids ($30 million annually from 2026-2030), expand coordination of NIH research, and establish a Medicaid data system to track treatment access and costs. It mandates public education on fibroid symptoms, prevalence (especially among Black women, who face higher risk and severity), and non-hysterectomy treatment options. The bill also requires disseminating evidence-based provider resources on managing fibroids while preserving fertility. These provisions directly affect the estimated 26 million U.S. women with fibroids - particularly women of color - and aim to address the current lack of research and treatment data.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to fund research on early detection and intervention for uterine fibroids, aiming to develop evidence-based approaches for healthcare settings. It authorizes grants to states to support screening (including advanced imaging), patient navigation services, and public education campaigns focused on early detection, with priority given to areas with socially vulnerable populations at higher risk. The bill also funds research into disparities in pain management during fibroid surgery and conditions like Asherman’s Syndrome. These provisions directly affect women with uterine fibroids, particularly in underserved communities, by expanding access to early detection services and targeted research.