Rep. Steny H. Hoyer

Maddy summaryHR 10210 establishes a National Plan for Epilepsy to coordinate federal efforts in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing epilepsy. It requires the Secretary to create an Advisory Council with patient representatives, caregivers, medical experts, and researchers, and mandates annual assessments and reports to Congress on progress and recommendations. The law directly affects millions of people with epilepsy in the U.S. (nearly 3 million adults and 456,000 children) and directs federal agencies like NIH and CDC to share data and improve services. Annual reports will track progress toward reducing uncontrolled seizures, improving care access, and addressing disparities in epilepsy care.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site at Public School 103 in Baltimore, Maryland - the elementary school attended by Justice Thurgood Marshall (the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice). The site, owned and managed by the nonprofit Beloved Community Services Corporation, will be designated as an "affiliated area" of the National Park System. Management will be handled by the nonprofit under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service, which will provide technical assistance but not acquire the property or take over operations. The site aims to preserve and interpret Marshall's early life and legacy for public education.

Maddy summaryHRES 1548 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of October 2024 as "National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month." It highlights that specific learning disabilities affect 34% of students receiving special education services and notes significant academic challenges, with over 95% of affected 4th and 8th graders not proficient in reading or math in 2022. The resolution calls on schools to continue providing appropriate support for students with learning disabilities but does not create new laws or funding. It aims to raise public awareness about learning disabilities, not to change educational policies.

Maddy summaryThe VA Employee Fairness Act of 2024 modifies collective bargaining rules for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). It removes existing subsections (b), (c), and (d) from the law governing VHA employee bargaining and renumbers the remaining provision. This change streamlines the collective bargaining framework but does not alter the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' existing authorities over incentive pay and expedited hiring. The bill directly affects VHA employees by changing how their collective bargaining rights are structured under federal law. The law remains neutral, focusing solely on procedural adjustments to the existing bargaining framework.

Maddy summaryHRES 1537 is a non-binding House resolution condemning Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, including 7 Americans still held captive. It calls on Hamas to immediately surrender, cease attacks, and release all hostages unconditionally, while reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense. The resolution also urges international organizations to condemn Hamas' actions and address the global surge in antisemitism following the attacks. As a symbolic statement, it does not create new laws or alter policy but expresses congressional position. The bill specifically references the ongoing captivity of seven U.S. citizens: Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Gadi Haggai, Judith Weinstein Haggai, Omer Neutra, and Keith Siegel.

Maddy summaryThe Combatting Global Deforestation Act of 2024 establishes a U.S. program to fund forest conservation and restoration projects in developing countries. Under this program, the U.S. provides financial assistance only after independent verification of results, such as reduced deforestation or increased forest cover, with partner countries required to meet transparency standards and include indigenous communities in planning. The program allocates $875 million annually for four years to support projects that protect forests and enhance ecosystem services, with strict requirements to avoid using funds for debts to certain countries identified as "countries of concern." The bill mandates annual reporting on project progress and environmental impacts to ensure accountability.

Maddy summaryHRES 1473 is a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that condemns racism, bigotry, and misinformation targeting Haitian people and their descendants. It celebrates the historical contributions of Haitian Americans to U.S. society, including founding cities (like Chicago via Jean Baptiste Point du Sable), advancing civil rights (W.E.B. Du Bois), and enriching healthcare, education, and culture. The resolution specifically calls on all Americans to reject racist tropes and misinformation, and urges elected officials to promote inclusivity and responsible communication. It was introduced in response to recent false claims that fueled threats against Haitian communities, such as the bomb threats in Springfield, Ohio.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin and place it in the U.S. Capitol. The committee must secure the statue within two years of the bill's enactment and install it in a public-accessible location by January 1, 2026, for viewing during Capitol Visitor Center guided tours. It is a procedural measure with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents or legislation.

Maddy summaryHRES 1448 is a non-binding House resolution stating that the House believes every person has the right to emergency health care, including abortion care, during medical emergencies. It specifically addresses concerns that abortion restrictions force medical providers to choose between treating patients in life-threatening situations or risking criminal charges. The resolution highlights that such restrictions disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, low-income individuals, and LGBTQI+ patients. It does not change existing laws but expresses congressional support for ensuring access to emergency care without legal barriers. The resolution was introduced by multiple House members and referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Maddy summaryHRES 1355 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors lineworkers who maintain electrical infrastructure under hazardous conditions, including during disasters, and commemorates Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died on July 10, 1896, while troubleshooting an electrical outage. The resolution encourages public recognition of these workers' contributions but does not create new laws or policies.