Rep. Ilhan Omar

Maddy summaryHR 765, the African American History Act, authorizes $2 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and programs about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create accessible teaching materials, support teacher professional development, and expand digital content for schools and the public, focusing on contributions, civil rights, and historical contexts. It requires annual reports to Congress and expires in 2028. The program directly supports educators, students, and families in learning about African American history through museums, schools, and online platforms.

Maddy summaryHR 814, the "Protect Social Security and Medicare Act," requires a two-thirds vote in both House and Senate to consider any bill, resolution, or amendment that would reduce benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This directly affects Congress, as it raises the threshold for passing legislation impacting Social Security or Medicare benefits. The bill includes an exception for Medicare Advantage plans: reductions in payments to these plans are allowed only if offset by equal or greater increases in other Medicare payments. Determinations about whether a provision would reduce benefits are made solely by the SSA's Office of the Chief Actuary.

This resolution states that the United Nations Security Council should immediately impose an arms embargo against the military of Burma (Myanmar) and hold it accountable for its ongoing violations of human rights.

Maddy summaryHR 715, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2023, requires background checks for all firearm transfers between private individuals, not just those through licensed dealers. It mandates that unlicensed sellers must involve a licensed dealer to conduct a background check before transferring a firearm, with exceptions for family transfers (like spouses or parents/children), law enforcement, temporary safety transfers, and certain hunting or range activities. The bill also requires licensed dealers to provide a notice and certification form in both English and Spanish to buyers. It explicitly states it won't create a national gun registry or override state laws on the same topic. The law would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 694, the Job Protection Act, expands access to family and medical leave under the FMLA by reducing eligibility requirements. It lowers the required employment period from 12 months to 90 days for most workers and removes the 50-employee threshold, requiring all employers (including small businesses with one or more employees) to provide leave. Federal, presidential, and congressional employees also see their eligibility thresholds reduced to 90 days. The bill directly affects millions of private-sector workers and small businesses nationwide by making existing leave protections more widely available. It makes no changes to leave duration or pay, only to who qualifies and which employers must comply.

Maddy summaryHR 709, the Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes Congress to award Muhammad Ali a gold medal in recognition of his life and achievements. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal for presentation by congressional leaders, which will then be given to Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund. This is a commemorative measure, not a policy change affecting laws or programs.

Maddy summaryHRES 77 is a non-binding House resolution expressing support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It calls on the President to make nuclear disarmament central to U.S. national security policy and urges specific actions: pursuing new arms control talks with Russia and China, renouncing first-use of nuclear weapons, ending the president’s sole authority to launch nukes, removing weapons from hair-trigger alert, and canceling plans to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The resolution directly addresses the President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and other federal leaders, urging them to lead global efforts to reduce nuclear risks. It does not create new laws or policies but formally endorses the treaty’s goals and outlines concrete steps for U.S. nuclear policy reform.

Maddy summaryHR 660, "Ethan's Law," requires gun owners in homes where minors (under 18) or individuals prohibited from owning firearms under federal/state law reside to store firearms securely. It makes unsecured storage unlawful if a minor or prohibited person could access the firearm, with fines of $500 per violation and enhanced penalties (up to 5 years in prison) if injury or death occurs. The bill also establishes a federal grant program to help states implement similar secure storage laws and provides funding incentives for states that already have such laws in place.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Congress to declare war before the U.S. can conduct a first-use nuclear strike - meaning a nuclear attack launched without prior nuclear retaliation against the U.S., its territories, or allies. It prohibits using federal funds for such strikes unless explicitly authorized by a congressional declaration of war. The bill directly affects the President’s authority to order nuclear weapons use and the military’s execution of such orders, reinforcing constitutional war powers. It defines "first-use" strictly to prevent unilateral action absent congressional approval, aiming to create a clear legal check on nuclear decision-making.

Maddy summaryThe HEAL Act (HR 603) requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Director to study how public elementary and secondary schools teach about the Holocaust and related antisemitism. The study will examine curriculum requirements, teaching methods (like project-based learning), instructional materials, and assessment approaches across states and school districts. It specifically analyzes whether Holocaust education is mandatory, optional, or integrated across subjects, and how schools address antisemitism and genocide prevention. The resulting report, due within 180 days of the study or three years after enactment, will inform Congress but does not change current school policies. This is a data-gathering measure, not a policy mandate.