Rep. James P. McGovern

Maddy summaryHR 3946, the FASD Respect Act, establishes a new federal program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The bill creates FASD Centers for Excellence to build state, tribal, and national capacity for prevention, identification, and support services - directly affecting individuals with FASD, their families, and healthcare providers. Key provisions include developing standardized diagnostic guidelines, expanding screening and training for medical professionals, creating a national resource directory for FASD services, and promoting culturally informed interventions. The program requires HHS to report to Congress on progress within four years. This legislation restructures existing HHS authority to focus comprehensively on FASD across the lifespan, replacing older terminology with consistent "FASD" references.

Maddy summaryHRES 516 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House's view that the Secretary of Defense should review Section 504 of Title 10, U.S. Code. This provision governs military enlistment rules, specifically regarding whether aliens (non-citizens) with valid employment authorization - like those holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status - can be enlisted. The resolution requests a review to determine if current policy allows enlistment of DACA recipients under existing military regulations. It does not change law but asks the Pentagon to assess the current policy's application to this group.

Maddy summaryHR 4169 repeals the 25% cap on U.S. contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations, which has caused over $1.28 billion in unpaid arrears since 2017. The bill directly affects U.S. financial obligations to the UN, requiring full payment of assessed contributions to restore U.S. influence and address funding shortfalls impacting peacekeeping missions. Key mechanisms include removing the statutory cap (repealing Section 404 of the 1994 Foreign Relations Authorization Act) and mandating reports on U.S. efforts to advance UN peacekeeping reforms. These reforms include promoting gender equality in peacekeeping, improving accountability for misconduct, and strengthening mission transitions.

Lady Liberty Act of 2023 This bill sets a floor of 125,000 for the maximum number of refugees who may be admitted into the United States each fiscal year. Under current law, the President sets the annual cap on refugee admissions at the beginning of each fiscal year. (The cap for FY2023 was 125,000, but in some years it had been lower. For example, the cap for FY2021 was 15,000.)

Maddy summaryHR 4172, the Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2023, establishes a 12-member United States Commission on Hate Crimes to investigate trends and improve responses to hate crimes. The commission, appointed by Senate and House leaders plus the Attorney General and Secretary of Health and Human Services, will examine hate crime increases since 2015, factors driving them, and strategies to reduce underreporting to the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System. It will also assess successful bias prevention efforts and online hate crime prevalence. Within one year of its formation, the commission must submit a report to Congress and the President with recommendations for federal agencies and community-based prevention programs. This bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies through reporting requirements and federal agencies through proposed policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 4184 repeals legal protections for gun manufacturers and sellers under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. It allows victims of gun violence to use gun trace data from the ATF's Firearms Trace System in civil court cases. This data, previously protected from discovery, can now be subpoenaed, admitted as evidence, and relied upon in lawsuits against gun sellers or manufacturers. The bill directly affects victims seeking legal recourse and gun industry defendants in civil litigation.

Tribal HUD-VASH Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the Tribal HUD-VASH program, which provides rental assistance and supportive services to Indian veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and living in or near an area where a tribe or tribally designated housing entity provides assistance for affordable housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may use up to 5% of rental assistance amounts under the HUD-VASH program, which provides housing assistance to homeless veterans, for the Tribal HUD-VASH program. The Tribal HUD-VASH program must be carried out by HUD in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the program, grants must be made to entities eligible for housing assistance block grants. HUD may make renewal grants to entities that have received prior program grants.

Maddy summaryThe Computer Science for All Act of 2023 would provide $250 million in federal grants to states, school districts, and eligible tribal schools to expand computer science education. The bill requires grant recipients to ensure all high school students have access to computer science within five years and to create a progression of computer science education from pre-kindergarten through middle school. It specifically targets reducing disparities by requiring schools to address gaps for underrepresented groups including minorities, girls, and students from low-income families. Grants would fund teacher training, learning materials, and programs supporting students traditionally underrepresented in tech fields, with schools required to track and report student demographics to monitor progress.

Maddy summaryHR 4166, the Support UNFPA Funding Act, authorizes annual U.S. funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) over five years. It directly supports UNFPA’s global programs serving women and girls in over 150 countries, particularly focusing on reducing preventable maternal deaths, expanding access to contraception, ending gender-based violence, and addressing harmful practices like female genital mutilation and child marriage. The bill specifically directs funding toward UNFPA’s core work in developing nations, humanitarian crises (such as in Ukraine and Yemen), and rebuilding health systems post-pandemic, without altering UNFPA’s existing operations or policies.

Maddy summaryThe American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 would create two pathways to permanent residency for certain immigrants. The "Dream Act" portion would provide conditional permanent resident status to individuals who entered the U.S. as children, have lived continuously in the U.S. since January 1, 2021, and meet educational requirements (such as completing high school, earning a degree, or enrolling in education programs). The "American Promise Act" portion would provide permanent residency to individuals eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) as of specific dates (January 1, 2017, or January 20, 2021). The bill includes provisions for background checks, fee exemptions for low-income applicants, and processes for removing conditional status after meeting specific criteria like completing higher education or earning income.