Rep. Alma S. Adams

Maddy summaryThe S.T.O.P. Illicit Vapes Act establishes a federal multi-agency task force to combat the illegal importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes. Co-chaired by the Attorney General and Health Secretary, the task force includes representatives from agencies like the FDA, Customs and Border Protection, and the FBI, and must meet monthly to coordinate enforcement efforts. It will submit semiannual reports to Congress detailing agency actions against illicit e-cigarette operations and recommend improvements to address public health concerns. The task force is set to expire 10 years after its establishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Section 287(g) of immigration law to restrict immigration enforcement authority exclusively to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and DHS employees. It removes state and local law enforcement agencies' ability to verify immigration status, investigate, or arrest individuals for immigration violations under current 287(g) agreements. The change directly affects local police departments that previously participated in immigration enforcement through federal partnerships. The bill does not create new policies but alters existing authority to limit enforcement to federal officers only.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HRES 958), not a bill with policy changes. It formally supports celebrating the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Higher Education Act and reaffirms the House's commitment to expanding college access. The resolution acknowledges the Act's historical role in creating student aid programs (like Pell Grants), supporting historically marginalized institutions, and promoting educational equity. It does not create new laws or alter existing programs - it is a symbolic gesture recognizing the Act's legacy and the House's ongoing support for higher education access.

Maddy summaryHR 6818, the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act, would expand rights for part-time workers by reducing eligibility requirements for family and medical leave from 12 months to 90 days of employment under the FMLA. The bill prohibits employers from discriminating against part-time workers based on hours worked, requiring equal treatment for benefits, promotions, and scheduling. It mandates that employers obtain written statements from employees about their desired work hours and prioritize offering available work hours to existing employees before hiring new external workers. The bill establishes enforcement mechanisms including civil penalties for violations and allows employees to file private lawsuits for damages, with the Secretary of Labor having investigative authority to ensure compliance. This legislation directly affects part-time workers and employers with more than 15 employees across both private and public sectors.

Maddy summaryThe Schedules That Work Act would require employers in retail, food service, hospitality, cleaning, and warehouse sectors to provide workers with 14 days' advance notice of their schedules and pay predictability wages for last-minute changes. It allows employees to request schedule changes related to caregiving responsibilities, health conditions, education, or other jobs, with employers required to engage in good-faith discussions about such requests. The bill prohibits retaliation against employees who request schedule changes and mandates written notice of schedule changes and predictability pay. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees in covered sectors, aiming to address widespread issues with unpredictable schedules that negatively impact workers' ability to care for family members, maintain housing stability, and access health care.

Maddy summaryHR 6757, the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2025, simplifies the process for survivors to receive black lung benefits by changing how deaths from pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) are proven. It creates a rebuttable presumption that a miner’s death was caused by black lung if they worked 10+ years in coal mines or were totally disabled by the disease before death, making it harder for claims to be denied. The bill also establishes a program to pay up to $4,500 in attorneys’ fees and $3,000 in medical expenses for qualifying claims through a federal fund, with operators later reimbursing the fund if benefits are approved. Additionally, it requires the Government Accountability Office to review interim payments, benefit adequacy, and potential policy changes for black lung survivors.

Maddy summaryThe EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to change how it buys food for programs like school meals and food banks. The bill directs USDA to prioritize purchasing foods that support beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged producers, and environmentally sustainable practices, while emphasizing worker well-being and climate-friendly food production. USDA would need to report annually on how much it spends on these priority food categories and track greenhouse gas emissions from its food purchases. The bill also creates a pilot program for "best value" procurement that considers more than just cost, and provides grants to help small and minority farmers meet USDA vendor requirements. These changes aim to make USDA's $20 billion+ annual food procurement more equitable and environmentally sustainable.

Maddy summaryThe Protect America's Workforce Act cancels an executive order issued on March 27, 2025, that excluded certain groups from federal labor-management relations programs, making it legally unenforceable. It also ensures that all collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and labor unions, which were active as of March 26, 2025, remain fully effective until their agreed terms expire. This directly affects federal agencies, labor unions, and the employees covered by these agreements. The bill prevents federal funds from being used to implement the canceled executive order while preserving existing labor agreements.

Maddy summaryHR 6682, the Endometriosis CARE Act, requires federal agencies to advance research, improve treatment access, and increase awareness for people with endometriosis - a chronic condition causing pelvic pain and fertility challenges affecting an estimated 10% of reproductive-age individuals. The bill mandates $50 million annually for NIH research on endometriosis treatments and cures, directs HHS to analyze barriers like insurance coverage and provider shortages in accessing care, and funds public education campaigns targeting underserved racial, ethnic, and minority groups. It also requires HHS to develop provider training materials on diagnosis and care, and to commission a National Academies study on disparities in endometriosis treatment across race, geography, and insurance status. The legislation focuses on data collection, education, and research rather than altering existing insurance coverage or treatment protocols.

Maddy summaryThe Empowering App-Based Workers Act requires digital labor platforms (like ride-hail and delivery services) to disclose how they use algorithms and electronic monitoring tools to determine worker pay and assignments. It caps the percentage of consumer payments that platforms can keep (take rate) at 25% for ride-hail services and mandates detailed weekly pay statements showing compensation, take rate, and other work metrics. The bill prohibits platforms from using algorithms to set different pay rates for similar work based on protected characteristics like race or gender. These provisions directly affect app-based workers, platform companies, and consumers, aiming to create more transparent and fair working conditions in the gig economy. The bill does not override existing state or local laws that provide greater protections for workers.