Rep. Alma S. Adams

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a barrier for parents who borrowed Federal Direct PLUS loans to pay for their dependent children's education. It amends the Higher Education Act to make these PLUS loans eligible for income-contingent repayment (ICR) and income-based repayment (IBR) plans - previously excluded from both. As a result, affected parents can now use income-driven repayment options that adjust payments based on their earnings, rather than being limited to standard repayment. The change applies to existing PLUS loans for dependent students and related consolidation loans, effective upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHRES 1474 designates September 19, 2024, as "National Stillbirth Prevention Day" to raise awareness about stillbirths, which affect approximately 21,000 U.S. pregnancies annually, with higher rates among Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Hispanic families. The resolution recognizes the emotional and health impacts on families who experience stillbirth and links it to increased maternal health risks. It supports existing federal efforts like the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act (Public Law 118-69) and calls on the President to issue a proclamation encouraging public awareness and prevention education. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to promote research, data collection, and support for affected families.

Maddy summaryHRES 1473 is a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that condemns racism, bigotry, and misinformation targeting Haitian people and their descendants. It celebrates the historical contributions of Haitian Americans to U.S. society, including founding cities (like Chicago via Jean Baptiste Point du Sable), advancing civil rights (W.E.B. Du Bois), and enriching healthcare, education, and culture. The resolution specifically calls on all Americans to reject racist tropes and misinformation, and urges elected officials to promote inclusivity and responsible communication. It was introduced in response to recent false claims that fueled threats against Haitian communities, such as the bomb threats in Springfield, Ohio.

Maddy summaryThe Homes Act of 2024 would establish a new Housing Development Authority within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop permanently affordable housing. The Authority would acquire properties and convey them to eligible entities (including community land trusts, tenant organizations, and public housing agencies) under strict requirements for permanent affordability, climate resilience, and community control. The bill would set rents at 25% of household income, limit annual rent increases to 3% or the Consumer Price Index, and require "just-cause" evictions with tenant protections. It would also create a tenant right to purchase their rental properties through a "first look" process and prioritize housing for underserved communities and families experiencing homelessness.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. government to immediately restore funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), reversing a temporary funding pause. It repeals two appropriations acts that halted payments and requires the Secretary of State to resume UNRWA funding under existing authorities. The legislation specifically aims to support UNRWA’s critical humanitarian work - providing shelter, education, healthcare, and aid to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan - during an acute famine risk in Gaza. It also mandates quarterly reports to Congress on UNRWA’s implementation of reforms from an independent review, ensuring accountability for its humanitarian mission.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands online privacy protections under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act to cover teens aged 12-17, in addition to children under 13. It requires website and app operators to obtain verifiable consent from parents for children and from teens themselves before collecting personal information. The bill restricts operators from using collected data for individual-specific advertising to children or teens and mandates clear notices about data practices. Operators must provide users with the right to access, delete, and correct personal information they've collected. These requirements apply to websites, online services, and mobile applications that collect information from children or teens or have actual knowledge a user is a child or teen.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Medicaid and CHIP rules to let eligible out-of-state healthcare providers enroll without extra state screening. It applies to providers already in Medicare or their home state program, with low fraud risk, serving children under 21 with complex medical conditions. Providers would receive 5 years of enrollment under this streamlined process, eliminating state-level barriers. The change directly affects children seeking specialized care across state lines and the providers who serve them.

Maddy summaryHRES 1461 is a symbolic resolution designating September 2024 as "National Voting Rights Month" to raise awareness about voting access. It encourages all U.S. citizens to uphold voting rights, supports existing voting rights legislation like the Freedom to Vote Act, and recommends schools teach about voting history and current restrictions. The resolution specifically aims to highlight efforts to address historical and ongoing barriers affecting historically marginalized groups, including Black, Latino, and disabled voters. It does not create new laws but promotes educational initiatives and media campaigns about registration deadlines and election access.

Maddy summaryHRES 1443 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for universal access to high-quality, affordable child care and early education for all young children and families. It highlights that current child care costs consume 14% of middle-income families' income (vs. a recommended 7%) and that 50% of U.S. families live in areas with insufficient child care options ("child care deserts"). The resolution calls for future legislation to ensure no family pays more than 7% of income for care, expand access during non-traditional hours, guarantee workforce pay parity with K-12 educators, and fund infrastructure upgrades. It does not create new programs but urges the House to prioritize comprehensive child care reform.

Maddy summaryHRES 1448 is a non-binding House resolution stating that the House believes every person has the right to emergency health care, including abortion care, during medical emergencies. It specifically addresses concerns that abortion restrictions force medical providers to choose between treating patients in life-threatening situations or risking criminal charges. The resolution highlights that such restrictions disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, low-income individuals, and LGBTQI+ patients. It does not change existing laws but expresses congressional support for ensuring access to emergency care without legal barriers. The resolution was introduced by multiple House members and referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee.