Rep. Dean Phillips

Maddy summaryThe Employee Equity Investment Act of 2023 creates a new facility to provide financial support for employee-owned businesses by establishing new rules for "employee equity investment companies." These companies must invest at least 75% of their capital in employee ownership transitions, requiring independent trustees and fairness opinions for transactions to protect employee interests. The bill also modifies government procurement rules to help employee stock ownership plans and worker-owned cooperatives access set-aside contracts. The facility will expire 20 years after the first license is issued, with detailed reporting requirements for all investments.

National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Program. The bill further directs DOJ to award a grant under the program to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs operated by the of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and National Law Enforcement Museum.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends eligibility for the WIC nutrition program to new mothers for 24 months after childbirth (up from six months) and extends breastfeeding support periods to 24 months (up from one year). It directly affects new mothers and infants who rely on WIC for nutrition assistance, breastfeeding support, and health services. Key provisions include amending the Child Nutrition Act to lengthen these benefit periods and requiring a report within two years evaluating health outcomes, breastfeeding rates, and family experiences. The report must assess impacts on maternal/infant health, racial disparities, and program effectiveness. This is a substantive policy change focused on improving access to critical postpartum support.

Maddy summaryThe FEND Off Fentanyl Act (HR 3333) establishes new sanctions targeting foreign persons and transnational criminal organizations involved in fentanyl trafficking, specifically naming Mexican cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel. It authorizes the President to block transactions with individuals facilitating fentanyl trafficking and requires annual reports to Congress on enforcement actions. The bill also designates fentanyl-related transactions as a primary money laundering concern for financial institutions and extends the statute of limitations for sanctions violations to eight years. These measures aim to disrupt fentanyl trafficking networks by targeting both the drug flow and the financial mechanisms supporting them.

Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act This bill establishes new requirements related to grants, programs, and reports to improve the treatment and care of pregnant and postpartum women who are incarcerated. Specifically, the bill requires the following: states must restrict the use of restraints on pregnant women in prison in order to receive full funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program; the Bureau of Prisons must establish programs to optimize maternal health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women in federal prisons; the Bureau of Justice Assistance must award state grants for programs to support pregnant and postpartum women in state and local prisons and jails; and the Government Accountability Office must report on adverse maternal and infant health outcomes among incarcerated individuals and infants born to such individuals, with a particular focus on racial and ethnic disparities.

Maddy summaryThe FIGHT Act (HR 2742) amends the Animal Welfare Act to specifically target animal fighting events, such as cockfighting, by defining "rooster" as any male chicken over six months old and banning the live broadcasting (simulcasting) of such events. It prohibits using the postal service or interstate transport to move roosters for animal fighting purposes and adds civil enforcement tools allowing citizens to sue violators after a 60-day notice period. Fines up to $5,000 per violation may be imposed, and property used in animal fighting ventures can be seized. These changes strengthen enforcement against animal fighting by expanding legal remedies for the public and authorities.

Maddy summaryHR 2719 establishes a competitive grant program to help farmers adopt climate-friendly agricultural practices. The bill authorizes $13 million annually for 4-year grants (capped at $400,000 per institution) to eligible land-grant colleges (including historically Black and tribal colleges). These institutions must partner with groups like nonprofits or state agencies to increase outreach to farmers by 25%, host workshops, provide technical assistance, and fund soil testing - while limiting administrative costs to 30% of grant funds. The program directly affects participating colleges and the farmers they assist, focusing on practices that improve soil health, reduce emissions, and enhance water management.

Maddy summaryThe PAST Act of 2023 amends the Horse Protection Act to ban specific devices used to cause pain (soring) in horses at shows, particularly affecting Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses. It defines prohibited "action devices" (like boots or chains causing friction) and requires licensed, conflict-free inspectors at events to enforce rules. The bill increases penalties for violations to up to $5,000 fines or 3 years in jail, and mandates longer disqualifications for repeat offenses (180 days → 1 year → 3 years). Horse show organizers, exhibitors, and participants must comply with these new inspection and penalty requirements.

This resolution reaffirms the central role of local frontline health workforces in achieving global health objectives. The resolution also urges greater global attention and support for local frontline health workers.

Maddy summaryHR 3228 establishes the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program to expand the workforce of school-based mental health providers. It authorizes the Education Secretary to partner with eligible graduate schools (offering accredited programs in school counseling, psychology, or social work) to cover up to 50% of participating students' tuition costs, with schools matching that contribution. The program prioritizes students who received Federal Pell Grants or attended certain institutions as undergraduates. It directly affects graduate students in school-based mental health fields and participating institutions, aiming to increase the pipeline of licensed providers for schools.