Rep. Dean Phillips

Maddy summaryHR 7775, the PFAS-Free Procurement Act of 2024, prohibits U.S. executive agencies from entering new contracts for specific items containing harmful PFOS or PFOA chemicals starting October 1, 2025. It directly affects federal agencies purchasing nonstick cookware, cooking utensils, and furniture, carpets, or rugs with stain-resistant coatings. The bill requires agencies to prioritize buying these items without PFOS/PFOA when available and practical. This law aims to reduce government use of persistent chemicals linked to health and environmental concerns through concrete procurement rules.

Maddy summaryHR 6831, the VERDAD Reauthorization Act, extends existing U.S. sanctions and restrictions on Venezuela until December 31, 2025. It modifies four separate laws (the Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act, Venezuelan Arms Restriction Act, Venezuela Emergency Relief Act, and Venezuela Defense of Human Rights Act) by updating their expiration dates from 2023 to 2025. The bill does not create new policies but ensures current measures remain in effect. This directly affects U.S. foreign policy enforcement toward Venezuela, maintaining economic restrictions and arms limitations. The key change is simply extending the sunset dates for these existing provisions.

Maddy summaryThe GO Ag Act (HR 7731) creates a federal grant program to fund new agricultural education programs in secondary schools. It provides competitive grants of up to $100,000 per applicant for 5 years, requiring schools to demonstrate how programs will serve all students - including special populations - and align with existing career education standards. Grants cover curriculum development, equipment, and materials but cannot fund programs already operating or prepare students exclusively for one employer. The bill authorizes $5 million through fiscal year 2027 to support these new initiatives.

Maddy summaryHR 7698 establishes a new Office of Civic Bridgebuilding within the Corporation for National and Community Service to support programs reducing polarization and improving social cohesion. It authorizes $25 million annually (2025-2027) for competitive grants to nonprofits, community groups, and educational institutions to fund projects addressing local needs like healthcare gaps or environmental concerns through research-backed methods. Grantees must demonstrate how projects engage diverse communities, ensure participant safety (especially for marginalized groups), and use standardized metrics to track effectiveness. The Office will oversee grants, support training, and maintain a public research base on civic bridgebuilding best practices.

Maddy summaryHR 7705, the Think DIFFERENTLY Small Business Accessibility Act, expands a tax credit for small businesses that make accessibility improvements for disabled individuals. It increases the annual credit limit from $1 million to $3.5 million and raises the employee threshold from 30 to 100 full-time employees to qualify. This change directly affects small businesses making accessibility upgrades, allowing more businesses to claim the credit. The bill amends Section 44(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the interstate transport, sale, breeding, or possession of captive American mink raised for fur production (including parts or offspring), directly affecting mink fur farmers and the fur industry. It includes a limited exception for entities covered under the Lacey Act and establishes a buy-out program where the government may purchase mink farms. The buy-out amount is based on the farmer's average mink count over three years and the farm's infrastructure value. Funding for the buy-out depends on available appropriations. The bill does not apply to mink not raised for fur or to certain wildlife management activities.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCONRES 97) recognizes the gender wage gap, noting that women working full-time earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by men. It highlights racial disparities (e.g., Latinas earn 57 cents, Black women 69 cents) and the economic impact of the gap, including $965 billion in annual lost wages for women. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the issue and reaffirms Congress’s commitment to addressing wage inequality.

Maddy summaryHR 7629, the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2024, allocates $1.4 billion annually (2025-2029) to the U.S. Postal Service for high-security collection boxes and replacing physical universal mailbox keys with electronic versions, directly affecting USPS operations and letter carriers. It requires the Attorney General to appoint specialized prosecutors in each district to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of postal-related crimes, such as assaults on carriers or mail theft. The bill also mandates the U.S. Sentencing Commission to adjust guidelines so that assaults or robberies against postal employees are treated with the same severity as assaults against law enforcement officers. These provisions aim to enhance safety through infrastructure upgrades, improved prosecution, and stricter sentencing for crimes targeting postal workers.

Maddy summaryThe Stop CMV Act of 2024 requires hospitals and healthcare entities caring for infants under 21 days old to administer congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening tests. It mandates states to establish screening standards within two years of enactment, with federal oversight by the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders if states fail to act. The bill allocates federal grants to states for implementing screening, improving data systems, and funding research on CMV diagnostics, prevention, and treatments through the National Institutes of Health. These provisions directly affect newborns, hospitals, and state health agencies by standardizing early CMV detection and supporting related public health efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 7575, the Supporting America’s Young Entrepreneurs Act of 2024, provides student loan relief to borrowers who start or work for qualifying small businesses in economically distressed areas. Founders of certified "distressed area businesses" (operating 5+ years in designated low-income/unemployment zones) can have up to $20,000 of their Federal Direct Loans canceled after 24 months of payments while employed by their business. Employees of new "small business start-ups" (operating ≤3 years) may qualify for up to $3,000 annually (max $15,000 total) after 12 months of full-time employment. The Young Entrepreneurs Business Center, established under the Small Business Act, certifies businesses, identifies distressed areas, and approves loan cancellations, with canceled debt excluded from taxable income.