Rep. Sharice Davids

Maddy summaryHR 2047, the Pink Tariffs Study Act, requires the Treasury Secretary to conduct a study analyzing how U.S. import tariffs impact different consumer groups. The study must examine whether tariffs are regressive (burdening lower-income consumers more), show gender bias (like higher tariffs on women's clothing vs. men's), and break down effects by gender, family type (e.g., single-parent households), and income level. It mandates the study be completed within one year of the bill's enactment and submitted to Congress. This bill directly affects all U.S. consumers by focusing on how tariff policies may unequally impact them based on these demographic and economic factors.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 209) designates April 5, 2025, as "Barth Syndrome Awareness Day" to raise public awareness about Barth syndrome, a rare genetic disorder primarily affecting males. It directly supports patients, families, and caregivers of the estimated fewer than 150 diagnosed individuals in the U.S. who face challenges with diagnosis, limited treatments, and high mortality rates. The bill’s key mechanism is a symbolic House resolution expressing support for the awareness day, recognizing the need for improved diagnosis, research, and treatment development for this ultrarare condition. It does not create new programs or funding but aims to foster greater attention to Barth syndrome through official recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts probationary periods for certain federal employees who were involuntarily separated between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029. It allows eligible employees (those separated while on probation in an Executive agency) to count their prior service time toward a new probationary period when rehired into a similar position with their former agency. Specifically, the new probation period equals the original required duration minus the time already served in their previous federal role. The law expires on January 20, 2029, and applies only to appointments matching the employee’s prior position.

Maddy summaryHR 1990, the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025, amends tax rules for businesses to make research and development (R&D) costs more flexible. It allows companies to deduct R&D expenses immediately as business costs (instead of capitalizing them) or to spread these costs over a minimum 60-month period. The bill clarifies which R&D expenses qualify, excludes land improvements and mineral exploration costs, and ensures companies can claim R&D tax credits without conflict with expense treatment. This directly affects businesses that conduct R&D, changing how they account for these costs on tax returns starting for 2022 taxable years.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the calculation method for the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for uniformed service members living off-base in the United States. It requires the Secretary of Defense to set BAH amounts based directly on the actual monthly cost of adequate housing in each area, matching the member's pay grade and dependency status. This change ensures BAH rates more accurately reflect local housing expenses rather than using a previous formula. The bill directly affects all service members receiving BAH for off-base housing across the U.S., particularly those in high-cost areas where current rates may not cover actual rent.

Maddy summaryHR 1909 reauthorizes federal funding and updates programs to reduce maternal deaths. It requires maternal mortality review committees to include obstetricians/gynecologists and improves death certificate reporting by coordinating with death certifiers. The bill mandates the CDC to share annual best practices for preventing maternal mortality with hospitals, state health groups, and perinatal programs. It also increases annual funding from $58 million to $100 million for these initiatives, covering fiscal years 2025 through 2029. The law directly affects hospitals, state health agencies, and maternal health programs receiving these federal funds.

Maddy summaryHR 1954, the "Do No Harm Act," amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to clarify that RFRA does not override specific federal laws protecting against harm. It explicitly exempts provisions related to anti-discrimination (like the Civil Rights Act), workplace protections (wages, leave, collective activity), child safety, and healthcare access from RFRA's requirements. The bill ensures RFRA cannot be used to challenge government programs or contracts that provide these essential protections. It also clarifies that RFRA applies only to disputes involving government as a party, not private disputes between individuals. This change preserves existing legal safeguards while modifying RFRA's scope.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clean Air Act to update the definition of fossil fuel, explicitly including "fuel for ocean-going vessels" alongside home heating oil and jet fuel. It directly affects the shipping industry by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue regulations within one year of enactment to implement this updated definition. The key mechanism is changing the statutory definition to ensure ocean vessel fuels are covered under existing fossil fuel regulations, potentially influencing future clean fuel standards for ships. The EPA must also submit a report to Congress on implementation within one year of finalizing these regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 1886, the Affordable College Textbook Act, creates a federal grant program to help colleges develop and adopt free digital textbooks (open educational resources), directly reducing costs for students. It requires colleges to publicly disclose textbook prices and indicate if materials are open textbooks on course schedules, while mandating accessibility standards for digital resources. The bill funds faculty training, quality reviews, and research on open textbook effectiveness, with grants prioritizing projects that maximize student savings and expand adoption across institutions. It aims to lower textbook costs - averaging $1,290 annually per student - by incentivizing the creation of freely accessible, high-quality digital course materials.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by clarifying how to prove voting discrimination and expanding requirements for preclearance of voting changes. It establishes new standards for determining when voting practices dilute minority voting strength or deny/abridge voting rights, requiring plaintiffs to show specific conditions for vote dilution claims and including factors like historical discrimination and racial polarization in court analyses. The bill modifies the criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must seek preclearance for voting changes, and adds new transparency requirements for jurisdictions to publicly disclose changes to voting qualifications, polling locations, and election districts. It directly affects states and local governments that implement voting policies, particularly those with a history of voting rights violations or that make changes to voting qualifications, procedures, or district boundaries. The bill aims to prevent discriminatory voting practices by providing clearer standards for courts and requiring greater transparency in voting rule changes.