Rep. Valerie P. Foushee

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 95) is a commemorative measure recognizing the Greensboro Four sit-in during Black History Month. It honors Joseph McNeil, Jibreel Khazan, Franklin McCain, and David Richmond for initiating the 1960 sit-in at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, which catalyzed the civil rights movement. The resolution specifically acknowledges their role as catalysts for student-led activism, the value of racial diversity, and the effectiveness of nonviolent protest, while encouraging states to include their history in school curricula. As a symbolic gesture with no binding policy changes, it directly affects public recognition of this historical event and its significance to civil rights education.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 4, 2025, as "Transit Equity Day" to honor Rosa Parks' legacy and her historic protest against segregated public transit. It symbolically recognizes ongoing challenges in transit access based on race, income, and disability, while encouraging public transit use and fare-free rides on that date. The resolution has no binding policy changes - it is purely a symbolic gesture urging recognition of transit equity efforts, with no new funding, regulations, or enforcement mechanisms. It directly affects public transit agencies and communities celebrating the day, but does not alter existing transit policies.

Maddy summaryHR 916, the Rosa Parks Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and sell commemorative coins (gold $5, silver $1, and half-dollar) in honor of Rosa Parks, a pivotal civil rights leader whose 1955 bus protest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The coins, to be issued in 2029, will feature designs reflecting her legacy and be sold to the public at face value plus a fixed surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar). All surcharge funds will be directed to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development to support its youth development and civil rights education programs. The bill ensures the coins are legal tender, with the Treasury recovering all costs without net government expense.

Maddy summaryHR 964, the Rosa Parks Day Act, would designate Rosa Parks Day as a legal public holiday for federal employees and institutions. The bill amends Title 5 of the U.S. Code to add "Rosa Parks Day" to the list of recognized federal holidays, following Thanksgiving Day. This change would establish a new annual observance on the day designated by the President, requiring federal offices to close and employees to receive paid time off. The bill directly affects federal operations and employees, creating a new standard for federal holiday observance.

Maddy summaryThe EITC Modernization Act expands the Earned Income Tax Credit to include more types of dependents (not just "qualifying children" but also "qualifying dependents" including aged dependents and students) and creates a new category for qualifying students who receive Federal Pell Grants or have modified adjusted gross income below 250% of the poverty line. It establishes a minimum $1,200 credit for qualifying students and individuals with certain dependents, allows recipients to receive their credit in monthly payments instead of a single annual payment, and creates new return preparation assistance programs for low-income taxpayers through the IRS. The bill also adjusts eligibility to include individuals as young as 18 without dependents (previously age 25) and adds special provisions for new parents with children born or adopted during the year. These changes aim to increase access to the credit for more working individuals and families while improving the administration of the program.

Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 This bill increases certain payment adjustments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for services furnished between April 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHR 844, the "Black History is American History Act," amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to require that Black history be included in all American history and civics education programs for K-12 students. The bill specifically adds "which shall include Black history" to multiple provisions, ensuring it becomes a standard part of curriculum standards, teacher training, and national assessments like the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This policy change directly affects public school curricula, educators, and students across the U.S. by mandating historically accurate instruction on African American contributions as integral to American history. The bill references the National Museum of African American History and Culture as a resource provider for educators implementing these changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' position that Congress should take steps to prevent the privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS), ensuring it remains a federal independent agency. It highlights USPS’s constitutional role, self-sustaining nature (relying on service revenue, not taxpayer funds), and critical functions - serving 168 million addresses daily, supporting rural communities, and underpinning e-commerce. The resolution opposes privatization, noting it would raise prices, reduce services, and harm the $1.9 trillion mailing industry. As a non-binding resolution, it reflects the House’s stance but does not create new law or policy.

Maddy summaryHRES 75 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year (celebrated as the Year of the Snake in 2025). It acknowledges Lunar New Year's origins in China over 4,000 years ago, its global celebration as Seollal (Korea) and Tết (Vietnam), and its importance to Asian American communities in the U.S. The resolution expresses respect for Asian Americans and others celebrating the holiday and wishes them a happy new year, but it creates no new laws, funding, or obligations. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no direct policy impact.

Maddy summaryHR 794, the Lunar New Year Day Act, would designate the Lunar New Year as a federal holiday by adding it to the list of official federal holidays under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This change would directly affect federal government operations and employees, who would observe the holiday on the date of the Lunar New Year each year. The bill’s sole mechanism is amending the existing holiday schedule to include "Lunar New Year Day" following the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It does not create new programs, allocate funding, or impact non-federal entities.