Rep. Alma S. Adams

Maddy summaryHRES 181 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Black History Month by highlighting the historical and ongoing contributions of Black labor to the U.S. economy and society. It commemorates Black labor from slavery through modern times, including agricultural work, unionization efforts (like A. Philip Randolph’s Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters), and contemporary issues like the racial wage gap (where Black workers earned $878 weekly vs. $1,059 for others in 2023). The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges these contributions to raise public awareness. It is sponsored by 70+ House members and aligns with the 2025 Black History Month theme focused on "African Americans and Labor." As a commemorative resolution, it has no direct effect on individuals or legislation.

Maddy summaryHRES 153 is a ceremonial resolution expressing condolences to the families and loved ones of the 67 victims who died in two aviation incidents: American Eagle Flight 5342 and U.S. Army flight PAT 25, which crashed near Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025. It specifically honors the victims - many connected to Wichita, Kansas (known as the "Air Capital of the World") - and extends sympathies to affected communities including Wichita, Kansas, and the National Capital Region. The resolution also commends first responders who aided in the recovery efforts. As a non-binding expression of sympathy with no policy changes, it does not affect laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 1787 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring baseball legend Roberto Clemente, including $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar coins, with specific specifications for weight, size, and metal content. The bill requires the coins to feature Clemente's image and commemorative inscriptions, and mandates a surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar) paid to the Roberto Clemente Foundation for its educational, youth sports, and disaster relief programs. All coins must be minted in 2027, sold at face value plus surcharge and production costs, and will be legal tender. The bill focuses solely on the coin program, not broader policy changes.

Safe Schools Improvement Act This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, disability, religion, or sex. Sex includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (including intersex traits). Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HJRES 63) would rename the Robert E. Lee Memorial, a National Park Service site in Arlington, Virginia, to "Arlington House National Historic Site." It directly affects the National Park Service, which manages the site, and all federal government documents, maps, and records referencing the location. The key provision updates all official references to the site to the new name and repeals two prior resolutions that established the memorial. As a procedural renaming bill, it does not create new policies or funding but changes the site's official designation.

Maddy summaryThe Social Security Expansion Act increases Social Security benefits for retirees and disabled workers by raising the first bend point percentage from 90% to 95% and adding an 18% increase for individuals eligible after 2025. It extends benefit eligibility for children who are full-time students until age 22 (from age 19 for most children) and establishes a new minimum benefit based on years worked, with higher percentages for longer work histories (ranging from 11.25% for 11 years to 125% for 30+ years). The bill also changes the cost-of-living adjustment to use the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers and adds new taxes on income above $250,000 and investment gains, increasing the tax rate on investment gains from 3.8% to 16.2%. These changes will primarily affect retirees, disabled workers, children of beneficiaries, and high-income earners.

Maddy summaryHR 1759, the Affordable PLUS Repayment Options for Parents Act of 2025, allows parents who borrowed Federal Direct PLUS loans to pay for their dependent child's education to enroll in income-driven repayment plans. The bill removes a previous exclusion that barred these PLUS loans from income-contingent and income-based repayment plans under the Higher Education Act. Key provisions amend Sections 455 and 493C to make PLUS loans for dependent students and related consolidation loans eligible for these plans. This change applies to borrowers with outstanding balances on such loans who are repaying or will repay under these specific plans, effective upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 1645, the Climate and Health Protection Act, continues the Climate and Health program within the CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (or a successor program) through 2026 and beyond. It directs the program to translate climate science for state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments; create tools to help communities prepare for climate impacts; and lead public health planning for climate change. The bill authorizes $110 million annually for this program, with a strict rule that these funds cannot be redirected to other CDC programs. This funding and structure directly affect public health agencies and communities preparing for climate-related health risks.

Maddy summaryThe Pell Grant Sustainability Act (HR 1666) requires the federal government to automatically adjust the maximum Pell Grant amount each year based on inflation, starting with $1,060 for the 2024-2025 academic year. This adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to ensure grants keep pace with rising college costs, directly affecting low-income students who rely on Pell Grants to afford higher education. The bill amends the Higher Education Act to mandate this annual inflation-based increase, rounding the final amount to the nearest $5. It aims to reverse the decades-long decline in grant purchasing power, which covered 80% of college costs in 1974-75 but only 31% by 2022-23.

Maddy summaryThe Keep Americans Safe Act (HR 1674) restricts the sale, transfer, and possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCFDs) - defined as magazines or similar devices holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition - for most individuals. Exceptions allow law enforcement officers (including campus law enforcement), retired officers, and nuclear security personnel to possess LCFDs under specific conditions. The bill requires new LCFDs to have serial numbers and manufacturing dates, permits federal seizure of violative devices, and authorizes federal grant programs to fund buy-back initiatives for LCFDs. It directly affects gun owners and manufacturers while preserving access for covered law enforcement and security personnel.