Rep. Jared F. Golden

Maddy summaryHR 4796, the Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act of 2023, establishes a federal grant program to fund organizations that help individuals access abortion services. Eligible entities - such as abortion funds, community groups, or local governments - would receive grants to provide services like connecting people to providers, coordinating travel/financing costs, offering culturally appropriate information, and ensuring data confidentiality. The bill includes strong legal protections, prohibiting states from restricting or penalizing navigators for assisting people seeking abortion services, even in states where abortion is illegal. It also allows affected navigators to sue states that violate these protections. The program is funded for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 25 would remove the 1979 deadline for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which was originally proposed in 1972. This bill directly affects states that ratified the ERA after the deadline (such as Nevada, Illinois, and Virginia in 2017-2018) by making their ratifications legally valid. The key provision states that the ERA is valid as part of the Constitution if ratified by three-fourths of states, regardless of the original deadline. The bill does not create new rights but aims to finalize the constitutional amendment process by eliminating the time limit.

Maddy summaryHR 4709, the U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2023, amends a reporting requirement in the National Defense Authorization Act to enhance U.S.-Israel cooperation on countering Iranian drone threats. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report within 180 days detailing the status of joint efforts to develop and deploy counter-drone technologies, including assessments of current capabilities and proposed policy changes. It also increases funding for this cooperation from $40 million to $55 million annually. The bill directly affects U.S. and Israeli military operations by mandating formal coordination to address Iran’s growing arsenal of armed drones, which have been used against U.S. allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. This is a procedural bill focused on improving existing coordination, not on new weapons or sanctions.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 1282 (Major Richard Star Act), expands benefits for certain military retirees by allowing them to receive both veterans' disability compensation and military retirement pay simultaneously. It specifically affects combat-related disabled retirees under Chapter 61 of the military retirement system who have fewer than 20 years of service. The key change removes the automatic reduction of military retirement pay when these retirees also receive disability compensation, as amended in Section 1413a(b)(3) of Title 10. Technical updates to the law’s structure and effective date (starting after enactment) complete the provisions.

Maddy summaryHRES 580 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House's support for designating "Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day." It honors lineworkers who work in hazardous conditions (such as at heights near live wires) and respond to disasters like hurricanes and wildfires, while recognizing their contributions and the legacy of Henry Miller, an early electrical worker who died on the job. The resolution has no legal effect - it solely encourages public recognition and reflection on these workers' service.

Maddy summaryThe Afghan Adjustment Act creates a pathway for certain Afghans who directly supported U.S. missions in Afghanistan during the 20-year U.S. military presence to adjust to lawful permanent resident status (green card holders). It specifically targets Afghans who worked with U.S. forces or agencies, including military personnel, security personnel, and their families, who received "Chief of Mission approval" for special immigrant status. Key provisions include new vetting requirements (in-person interviews and biometric screening), exemption from immigration numerical limits, $20 million annually for implementation, and a task force to develop resettlement strategies. The bill also establishes a new category of special immigrant visas for at-risk Afghan allies and sets a two-year application deadline after guidance is published.

Maddy summaryThe DISCLOSE Act of 2023 would increase transparency in political spending by requiring organizations making campaign-related disbursements over $10,000 to disclose the names and addresses of their major donors, including the top five funders for political communications. It would close loopholes allowing foreign nationals to secretly fund election activities through corporations or other entities by expanding the definition of prohibited foreign contributions. The bill would mandate "stand by every ad" disclosure requirements for political communications across all media, including audio, video, and internet ads, requiring clear identification of funders. It would also require reporting of disbursements related to Federal judicial nominations, which currently aren't subject to disclosure requirements. These provisions would apply to corporations, labor organizations, and certain nonprofits that engage in political activity.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits foreign nationals from contributing money or other valuables to state or local ballot initiatives and referendums, directly affecting foreign individuals and organizations attempting to influence these elections. It creates a new federal offense under Title 18, banning contributions, donations, or promises of such contributions in connection with ballot measures. Violations carry penalties of fines up to $10,000 or 300% of the contribution amount, plus up to one year in prison. The law applies to all contributions made after its enactment date and uses the existing definition of "foreign national" from federal election law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits defendants in federal criminal cases from using a victim's LGBTQ+ identity (sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression) as a legal excuse for violence or to reduce sentences - a practice known as the "LGBTQ+ panic defense." It specifically bans arguments that a "nonviolent sexual advance or perception" of the victim's identity justified the crime, while allowing evidence of the defendant's past trauma under standard evidence rules. The law directly affects federal criminal trials where defendants attempt to justify violence against LGBTQ+ victims using prejudice-based excuses. It also requires the Attorney General to report annually on federal prosecutions involving bias-motivated crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 4422 (Global Respect Act) requires the President to publicly identify foreign officials responsible for violence, torture, or arbitrary detention against LGBTQI individuals and block their entry to the U.S., including revoking visas for them and their immediate families. It mandates annual reporting to Congress on the list of sanctioned individuals, the reasons for additions/removals, and efforts to coordinate with other countries on similar sanctions. The bill also updates U.S. human rights reporting requirements to explicitly include data on violence and discrimination against LGBTQI people worldwide. These measures aim to increase accountability for human rights violations against LGBTQI individuals without advocating for specific policy outcomes.