Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky

Maddy summaryHRES 1436 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. It recognizes suicide as a preventable public health crisis by citing statistics from the CDC, VA, and SAMHSA showing rising suicide rates across age groups, including veterans and adolescents. The resolution formally supports designating September as "National Suicide Prevention Month" and September 10, 2024, as "World Suicide Prevention Day." It does not create new policies, allocate funding, or directly affect any individuals - its purpose is solely to express congressional support for suicide prevention awareness and efforts.

Maddy summaryHRES 1422 is a resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act (enacted in 1964), which established the National Wilderness Preservation System. The resolution commends advocates for the Act, acknowledges wilderness areas' role in protecting over 112 million acres of public lands, and highlights their benefits for recreation, clean water, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. It specifically emphasizes the importance of including Tribal governments in wilderness designation and management. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any group.

Maddy summaryHR 8096, the Future of Water Act of 2024, amends the Commodity Exchange Act and related law to prohibit the trading of water, water rights, or water-related financial products (like indices or data) as commodities for future delivery. This change directly affects commodity markets, futures traders, and entities seeking to create financial instruments based on water resources. The bill adds specific language to existing statutes to explicitly exclude water and water rights from being traded as future commodities, preventing their inclusion in futures contracts or related financial products. It does not alter water management, rights, or usage rules, only restricting their financial speculation in commodity markets.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Communities from Plastics Act of 2024 establishes new environmental standards for plastic production facilities, including a temporary moratorium on new permits for covered facilities during a "temporary pause period." It requires environmental justice assessments for permits affecting fenceline communities (low-income communities and communities of color near plastic facilities) and sets specific targets to reduce single-use plastics by 25% and increase reusable/refillable packaging by 30% by 2034. The bill mandates comprehensive reporting on plastic production and distribution, including a national inventory of plastic manufacturing, and requires continuous air and water quality monitoring near plastic facilities. This legislation directly affects plastic producers, manufacturers, and communities located near plastic production facilities, particularly those disproportionately impacted by plastic pollution.

Maddy summaryHR 7588, the Agricultural Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2024, requires the USDA to reassess seven specific chemical additives used in meat, poultry, and egg products by December 31, 2026. The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to evaluate whether each additive (including BHA, BHT, sodium nitrite, and titanium dioxide) makes these products unfit for human consumption under existing food safety laws. Based on this review, the USDA must initiate potential rulemaking to update regulations governing these ingredients. The law directly affects food producers using these additives and sets a clear timeline for the reassessment process. This is a procedural requirement focused on reviewing current safety standards, not an immediate regulatory change.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act to expand SNAP (food stamp) eligibility for foster care youth and homeless youth aged 18 to 26 enrolled at least half-time in college. It adds specific definitions for these groups and allows them to use SNAP benefits for meals prepared by their college dining services, provided their housing lacks individual cooking facilities. The bill treats these young adults as a separate household for SNAP purposes, ensuring their benefits aren’t affected by household size. These changes directly support vulnerable college students transitioning from foster care or experiencing homelessness, improving access to nutritious food during their education.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor Peter McGuire, a key figure in the 19th-century labor movement known as the "Father of Labor Day" and co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. The medal, designed by the Treasury and Labor Departments, will be presented by congressional leaders and permanently displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. The bill is purely ceremonial, recognizing McGuire’s historical contributions to workers’ rights, the 8-hour workday, and labor union organization. It does not create new policy or affect current legislation.

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 bill amends the Older Americans Act to explicitly address loneliness among seniors by adding it to existing provisions about social isolation. It requires the federal government to prepare a report within five years, examining how current programs tackle loneliness's health impacts, geographic prevalence, and preventive services. The report must also analyze multigenerational family connections' role in reducing loneliness and recommend policy improvements. The bill directly affects older individuals served by programs under the Older Americans Act, focusing on health outcomes linked to social isolation. It does not create new funding but directs existing programs to coordinate services addressing loneliness.

Maddy summaryHR 9337, the "Don’t STEAL Act," requires employers to pay employees the full wage rate specified in their employment contracts (including collective bargaining agreements) if it exceeds the minimum rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This directly affects workers engaged in commerce or production for commerce, ensuring they receive agreed-upon higher wages. The bill adds criminal penalties for willful wage theft, including fines and up to 5 years in prison for violations exceeding $1,000, with penalties based on severity and business size. It also directs fines collected from violations to fund the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division enforcement efforts. The law applies to unpaid wages or overtime violations occurring 90 days after enactment.