Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky

Ukrainian Adjustment Act of 2025 This bill provides a streamlined process for certain Ukrainian nationals (including accompanying spouse and children) who are living in the United States to receive lawful permanent resident status. Specifically, the bill permits Ukrainian nationals who have been paroled into the United States after February 20, 2014, to apply for and receive lawful permanent resident status. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may waive grounds for inadmissibility (excluding certain crimes or security related grounds) for individuals who apply for status adjustment. DHS must establish vetting requirements (including an interview) for applicants that are equivalent to those under the United States Refugee Admissions Program. The bill also preserves eligibility for the status adjustment of certain battered spouses whose eligibility for such status stemmed from a marriage that has terminated. Finally, the bill requires DHS to issue guidance to implement these requirements and establishes a deadline for eligible individuals to apply for adjustment.

Maddy summaryHR 3121, "Anna’s Law of 2025," requires federal grants to fund trauma-informed training for law enforcement and emergency medical personnel who handle sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking cases. The training must cover how trauma affects victims’ behavior, prevent retraumatization during interactions, and teach victim-centered communication techniques. It mandates 8 hours of training for new recruits in law enforcement or EMT programs and 4 hours annually for existing staff. The bill also requires grant recipients to use diverse trainers and report annually to Congress on program effectiveness and survivor experiences. This policy directly affects law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services providers, and survivors interacting with these responders.

Maddy summaryThe Equality Act (HR 15) amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, and jury service. It expands existing protections under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics under sex discrimination prohibitions. The bill clarifies that discrimination against LGBTQ people is a form of sex discrimination, consistent with the Supreme Court's Bostock decision, and adds specific definitions for gender identity and sexual orientation. This legislation directly affects businesses, employers, housing providers, financial institutions, and government entities that serve the public. The bill creates a more comprehensive legal framework to address discrimination that LGBTQ people face in multiple aspects of daily life.

Maddy summaryHR 3084, the Stealthing Act of 2025, creates a federal civil remedy for victims of non-consensual condom removal during sexual activity. It allows individuals to file lawsuits in federal court if the act occurred in a situation involving interstate commerce (e.g., using online communication, payment methods, or travel across state lines). Victims may seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, and other court-ordered relief. The bill specifically defines "stealthing" as removing a condom or similar barrier without consent, directly affecting individuals who experience this violation and those who commit it under federal jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryHR 3067, the Arctic Refuge Protection Act, repeals the existing oil and gas program for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and designates approximately 1.56 million acres of the refuge's Coastal Plain as wilderness. This directly affects federal management of the ANWR, halting potential oil drilling in the designated area. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to administer the newly designated wilderness area under the Wilderness Act, treating it as part of the existing wilderness within ANWR. The change prevents future oil and gas development on this specific portion of the refuge.

Medicare for All Act This bill establishes a national health insurance program that is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Among other requirements, the program must (1) cover all U.S. residents; (2) provide for automatic enrollment of individuals upon birth or residency in the United States; and (3) cover items and services that are medically necessary or appropriate to maintain health or to diagnose, treat, or rehabilitate a health condition, including hospital services, prescription drugs, mental health and substance abuse treatment, dental and vision services, long-term care, gender affirming care, and reproductive care, including contraception and abortions. The bill prohibits cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) and other charges for covered services. Additionally, private health insurers and employers may only offer coverage that is supplemental to, and not duplicative of, benefits provided under the program. Health insurance exchanges and specified federal health programs terminate upon program implementation. However, the program does not affect coverage provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service. The bill also establishes a series of implementing provisions relating to (1) health care provider participation; (2) HHS administration; and (3) payments and costs, including the requirement that HHS negotiate prices for prescription drugs. Individuals who are age 18 or younger, age 55 or older, or already enrolled in Medicare may enroll in the program starting one year after enactment of this bill; other individuals may buy into the program at this time. The program must be fully implemented two years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides federal funding incentives to states that enact laws prohibiting nonconsensual removal of sexual protection barriers (like condoms or dental dams) during sexual activity. States with such laws can receive up to a 20% increase in funding for their Sexual Assault Services Program grants under the Violence Against Women Act. The funding increase applies for a 4-year period and cannot be awarded more than four times per state. It directly affects states that pass qualifying laws and the federal grant program supporting sexual assault services. The bill does not create new federal penalties but ties existing grant funding to state-level legal protections.

Maddy summaryThe Tenants' Right to Organize Act gives tenants receiving housing assistance the right to form and operate tenant organizations without fear of retaliation. It requires public housing agencies and property owners to recognize these organizations, provide meeting spaces, and seriously consider tenant concerns. The bill prohibits adverse actions like lease termination, rent increases, or service reductions for participating in organizing activities. It applies to tenants in housing choice voucher programs and low-income housing tax credit properties, with enforcement through administrative complaints and potential legal action.

Maddy summaryHR 3045, the West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025, imposes U.S. sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for violence, displacement, or property destruction in the West Bank. It targets those directly involved in attacks on civilians, forced displacement, or property seizures, including settler leaders or officials of groups engaged in such activities. Key provisions require freezing assets of sanctioned individuals within U.S. jurisdiction and blocking their entry into the United States via visa restrictions. The law applies to foreign nationals meeting specific criteria outlined in the bill, not U.S. citizens or entities.

Maddy summaryHRES 351 is a symbolic House resolution supporting the designation of April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) to celebrate the cultural contributions of Arab Americans. It recognizes Arab Americans' historical and ongoing impacts on U.S. society, including their roles in economy, science, arts, and social justice movements. The resolution highlights that 48 states and numerous cities already observe April as NAAHM, building on the White House's 2023 proclamation. It urges the public to engage in activities celebrating Arab American heritage, without creating new laws or altering existing policies.