Rep. Deborah K. Ross

Maddy summaryHCONRES 56 is a non-binding congressional resolution recognizing that climate change disproportionately harms children's health, economic opportunities, and rights. It expresses Congress's view that U.S. leadership is urgently needed to address the climate crisis and calls for a national climate recovery plan. The resolution specifically demands a science-based plan to phase out fossil fuels, protect natural carbon sinks, and reduce atmospheric CO2 to below 350 parts per million by 2100. This resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally states congressional support for a comprehensive climate strategy prioritizing children's well-being.

Maddy summaryHJRES 82 is a non-binding resolution stating that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has been validly ratified by the required 38 states (including Virginia's 2020 ratification) and should be certified as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It directs the Archivist of the United States to fulfill their statutory duty under Title 1, U.S. Code, to certify and publish the ERA without delay. The resolution argues Article V of the Constitution has no ratification deadline, citing precedents like the 27th Amendment. It does not change the Constitution itself but urges the Archivist to complete the certification process. The bill affects the Archivist’s office, requiring them to act on the ERA’s ratification status.

Maddy summaryHRES 580 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House's support for designating "Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day." It honors lineworkers who work in hazardous conditions (such as at heights near live wires) and respond to disasters like hurricanes and wildfires, while recognizing their contributions and the legacy of Henry Miller, an early electrical worker who died on the job. The resolution has no legal effect - it solely encourages public recognition and reflection on these workers' service.

Maddy summaryThe RISE from Trauma Act creates federal grants to support community-based coordination of trauma-informed services for children, youth, and families who have experienced or are at risk of trauma. It provides up to $6 million per grant to local entities that bring together diverse stakeholders (including schools, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community organizations) to develop local strategies for preventing trauma, promoting resilience, and improving outcomes in health, education, and child welfare. The bill reauthorizes and expands existing programs like the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, school-based trauma support services, and hospital-based interventions for trauma patients. It also includes specific funding increases for these programs and requires grant recipients to prioritize communities with high rates of trauma exposure, including those affected by violence, substance misuse, or systemic inequities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires lenders to request credit bureaus remove default notations from borrowers' credit reports once they fully repay defaulted federal student loans under the Higher Education Act. It directly affects borrowers who have repaid loans they previously defaulted on. The key mechanism is that after full repayment, the lender (or guaranty agency) must proactively ask credit reporting agencies to delete the negative mark. This changes the credit reporting process without altering loan repayment terms or forgiving debt.

Maddy summaryThe Clean Slate through Rehabilitation Act amends the Higher Education Act to change how defaulted federal student loans impact borrowers' credit histories. Specifically, it revises a provision to require the removal of *any* adverse credit information related to a defaulted loan - not just the default record itself - from a borrower's credit history. This change directly affects federal student loan borrowers who have defaulted and are rehabilitating their loans, as it would clear broader negative credit items that hinder credit rebuilding. The policy shift aims to improve credit outcomes for these borrowers by removing more types of adverse information tied to their loans.

Child Care Investment Act of 2023 This bill increases the employer-provided child care tax credit, the amount excludable from gross income for dependent care flexible spending accounts, and makes the household and dependent care tax credit refundable. Among other provisions, the bill increases the rate of the employer-provided child care tax credit from 25% to 50% and increases the maximum credit amount from $150,000 to $500,000. It also increases (1) the pre-tax deduction for dependent care flexible spending accounts from $5,000 to $10,000, plus an additional $2,000 for each eligible dependent; and (2) the rate of the household and dependent care tax credit and makes such credit refundable.

Maddy summaryHR 4591, the Clean Slate through Consolidation Act, requires federal student loan holders to request credit bureaus to remove default marks from borrowers' credit reports when they consolidate a defaulted federal student loan under the Higher Education Act. It directly affects borrowers who obtain a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan that pays off their previously defaulted federal student loans. The key mechanism is a mandatory request to consumer reporting agencies to delete the adverse credit information related to the discharged defaulted loan. This policy change automatically clears the default from credit histories upon successful consolidation, without requiring additional action from the borrower.

Maddy summaryHR 4550 creates a federal grant program to help public elementary, secondary, and preschool schools recruit and retain paraprofessionals (school support staff like teaching assistants). The bill directs the Secretary of Education to fund state education agencies, which then distribute subgrants to schools - prioritizing those serving high numbers of low-income students - to support activities like mentoring programs, professional development, and wage increases or certification assistance (e.g., for special education or English learner support). States must report annually on wage baselines, paraprofessional numbers, and program outcomes. This bill directly affects schools and paraprofessionals, with funding authorized for fiscal years 2024-2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires national parks to reduce disposable plastic products, primarily targeting plastic water bottles and food containers sold to visitors. Park directors must eliminate these sales where feasible after considering factors like operational costs, waste reduction, infrastructure for refill stations, and impacts on park vendors. Each park must also implement visitor education about water availability and report biennially on progress, including visitor satisfaction and safety metrics. The law directly affects all national park units, concessionaire businesses, and park visitors. It mandates a phased, practical approach without banning all plastics immediately.