Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky

Maddy summaryHR 1811, the Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act of 2025, creates an Office of Inspector General (IG) specifically for the federal judicial branch to investigate misconduct by judges and court staff. The IG would conduct audits, investigate alleged violations of judicial ethics rules (excluding Supreme Court decisions' merits), prevent fraud/waste, and report findings to the Chief Justice and Congress. The bill explicitly prohibits the IG from reviewing court rulings, disciplining judges, or investigating matters related to a judge's decision-making. This bill directly affects all federal judges, court employees, and judicial entities like the Judicial Conference, establishing a new oversight mechanism within the courts.

Safe Schools Improvement Act This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, disability, religion, or sex. Sex includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (including intersex traits). Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.

Maddy summaryHR 1383 extends the Secure Rural Schools program, which provides payments to counties and states with federal land (like national forests) to support local schools and services. It reauthorizes these payments through fiscal year 2026, adding specific rules to ensure counties don’t receive duplicate payments for 2024 and 2025. The bill also extends related authorities for special projects on federal land and county fund expenditures through 2028-2029. This directly affects rural communities adjacent to federal lands that rely on these payments for education and infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HJRES 63) would rename the Robert E. Lee Memorial, a National Park Service site in Arlington, Virginia, to "Arlington House National Historic Site." It directly affects the National Park Service, which manages the site, and all federal government documents, maps, and records referencing the location. The key provision updates all official references to the site to the new name and repeals two prior resolutions that established the memorial. As a procedural renaming bill, it does not create new policies or funding but changes the site's official designation.

Maddy summaryHRES 170 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House's support for Black workers and affirming the need for legislation to address workforce disparities. It highlights specific issues affecting Black workers, including a 3-point higher unemployment rate, 87% of median weekly earnings compared to overall averages, and higher workplace discrimination. The resolution specifically endorses passing four key bills: the PRO Act (labor organizing rights), National Apprenticeship Act, Raise the Wage Act, and Workforce Innovation Act. It does not create new laws but calls for action on these existing legislative proposals to reduce inequalities. The resolution directly affects Black workers across the U.S. workforce, emphasizing their historical and economic contributions.

Maddy summaryHRES 168 is a congressional resolution expressing the House's position on U.S.-Mexico relations. It reaffirms U.S. respect for Mexico's sovereignty under international law and explicitly condemns any proposed U.S. military action in Mexico without Mexico's consent or congressional authorization. The resolution states that using military force for issues like drug trafficking (e.g., fentanyl) does not justify unilateral action and violates constitutional separation of powers. It emphasizes diplomatic engagement with Mexico as the preferred path to address security challenges like transnational crime, rather than military intervention. This resolution does not create new law but formally states congressional expectations regarding executive actions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a serious health condition affecting millions of women and girls in the U.S., highlighting its impacts on reproductive, metabolic, and mental health. It designates September as "PCOS Awareness Month" to promote public education, improve diagnosis rates, and support better management of related health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The resolution urges increased awareness and research but does not create new laws, funding, or programs. It directly affects individuals with PCOS, healthcare providers, and public health efforts focused on the condition.

Maddy summaryThe Social Security Expansion Act increases Social Security benefits for retirees and disabled workers by raising the first bend point percentage from 90% to 95% and adding an 18% increase for individuals eligible after 2025. It extends benefit eligibility for children who are full-time students until age 22 (from age 19 for most children) and establishes a new minimum benefit based on years worked, with higher percentages for longer work histories (ranging from 11.25% for 11 years to 125% for 30+ years). The bill also changes the cost-of-living adjustment to use the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers and adds new taxes on income above $250,000 and investment gains, increasing the tax rate on investment gains from 3.8% to 16.2%. These changes will primarily affect retirees, disabled workers, children of beneficiaries, and high-income earners.

Maddy summaryHR 1759, the Affordable PLUS Repayment Options for Parents Act of 2025, allows parents who borrowed Federal Direct PLUS loans to pay for their dependent child's education to enroll in income-driven repayment plans. The bill removes a previous exclusion that barred these PLUS loans from income-contingent and income-based repayment plans under the Higher Education Act. Key provisions amend Sections 455 and 493C to make PLUS loans for dependent students and related consolidation loans eligible for these plans. This change applies to borrowers with outstanding balances on such loans who are repaying or will repay under these specific plans, effective upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 1645, the Climate and Health Protection Act, continues the Climate and Health program within the CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (or a successor program) through 2026 and beyond. It directs the program to translate climate science for state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments; create tools to help communities prepare for climate impacts; and lead public health planning for climate change. The bill authorizes $110 million annually for this program, with a strict rule that these funds cannot be redirected to other CDC programs. This funding and structure directly affect public health agencies and communities preparing for climate-related health risks.