Rep. Ayanna Pressley

Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act of 2023 or the FAIR Act of 2023 This bill prohibits a predispute arbitration agreement from being valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of an employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights dispute.

Maddy summaryThe RAP Act of 2023 (HR 2952) would prevent prosecutors and plaintiffs from using a defendant’s creative or artistic works - such as poems, songs, art, or films - as evidence in court, unless specific exceptions apply. It requires the government to prove by clear evidence that the work was meant literally (not figuratively), directly relates to the specific facts of the case, is relevant to disputed facts, and has unique value beyond other evidence. If admitted, courts must redact the work to limit its presentation and provide jury instructions about its restricted use. This bill directly affects defendants in both criminal and civil cases who create artistic expression, aiming to protect their creative works from being misused in legal proceedings.

Raise the Age Act of 2023 This bill establishes new restrictions on the sale or transfer of certain semiautomatic firearms to individuals under 21 years of age. Specifically, this bill makes it unlawful for a licensed gun dealer, importer, manufacturer, or collector to sell or deliver a semiautomatic center-fire rifle or semiautomatic center-fire shotgun that has (or has the capacity to accept) an ammunition feeding device with a capacity of more than five rounds to an individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under age 21. The prohibition does not apply if the individual under age 21 is a full-time law enforcement officer or active-duty member of the Armed Forces. The bill also requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation to report on the operation of its public access line, including a description of information sharing protocols and recommendations for improving such protocols.

Maddy summaryHR 2848, the Freedom to Move Act, provides $5 billion annually (2024-2028) in federal grants to cities, counties, and transit agencies to implement and improve fare-free public transportation systems. Eligible entities must apply with detailed plans addressing equity gaps, community consultation, and replacing fare enforcement with safety improvements like bus stop accessibility and safer routes. The bill requires grantees to prioritize underserved communities (low-income areas and communities of color) by expanding service frequency, reducing commute times, and improving connectivity to critical services. Grants cover lost fare revenue and costs for operational upgrades, network redesigns, and staff training over a 5-year period. This directly affects local transit systems and their riders, particularly low-income residents, seniors, people with disabilities, and foster care youth.

Maddy summaryHR 2370, the Access to AEDs Act, authorizes $25 million in federal funding (2024-2028) to help public elementary and secondary schools improve access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to school districts and partners for developing AED programs, training staff and students, purchasing and maintaining AEDs, and creating cardiac emergency response plans. It specifically targets schools to address sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which is a leading cause of death among student athletes and youth, with 90% of SCA victims dying without immediate CPR and defibrillation. The law requires grantees to report on their activities and establishes a clearinghouse to collect data on school AED access and costs.

Maddy summaryHR 2825, the Prison Libraries Act of 2023, establishes a federal grant program to fund library services in state and territorial correctional facilities. It directly affects incarcerated individuals by providing access to books, digital resources, educational programs, and staff support, with funds requiring states to submit detailed plans demonstrating need and measurable goals like improving literacy or job skills. Key provisions include funding for modern library infrastructure, hiring qualified librarians, and programming such as job training, digital literacy, restorative justice, and cultural activities - all while prohibiting use for food, general prison operations, or unrelated staff costs. The program authorizes $10 million annually for six years (2024-2029), prioritizing grants that align with library standards, prioritize post-secondary education, and show clear impact on reducing recidivism.

Ending Qualified Immunity Act This bill eliminates the defense of qualified immunity in certain civil actions for deprivation of rights. Qualified immunity is a judicially created doctrine that protects government officials from being held personally liable for constitutional violations. The bill provides that, under the statute allowing a civil action alleging deprivation of rights under color of state law, it shall not be a defense or immunity to any such action that (1) the defendant was acting in good faith or believed that his or her conduct was lawful at the time it was committed; (2) the rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution or federal laws were not clearly established at the time of their deprivation; or (3) the state of the law was such that the defendant could not reasonably have been expected to know whether his or her conduct was lawful.

Maddy summaryThe Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2023 establishes a new trust fund funded by increasing the corporate tax rate from 21% to 24.5% to support water infrastructure and affordability programs. It allocates funds to clean water programs (42%), safe drinking water funding (42.5%), household water wells (1%), colonias assistance (0.5%), Indian health services (3%), and water operator job training (0.5%). The bill requires the EPA to conduct a study and submit a report on water affordability, discrimination in water services, public participation in regionalization, and data collection related to service disconnections. It includes specific provisions for colonias, household water wells, and job training programs for water system operators to improve water access and equity.

Maddy summaryThe Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act establishes new standards for Department of Homeland Security detention facilities, requiring them to meet or exceed the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. The bill mandates annual, unannounced inspections by the DHS Inspector General, public reporting on facility compliance, and a phased-out timeline for private detention facilities (phasing out by 3 years after enactment). It prohibits solitary confinement for all detainees, requires community-based alternatives to detention for vulnerable individuals, and mandates detailed public reporting on facility conditions, staffing, and detainee demographics. The legislation directly affects all immigrants held in DHS custody, including children, vulnerable persons, and primary caregivers, with specific protections for these groups in detention procedures.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to review and approve drugs pursuant to its own expertise, and that recent court decisions blocking the FDA's approval of mifepristone (which is used in medication abortion) violate congressional intent with respect to the FDA's authority.