Rep. Kathy E. Manning

Maddy summaryHRES 1537 is a non-binding House resolution condemning Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, including 7 Americans still held captive. It calls on Hamas to immediately surrender, cease attacks, and release all hostages unconditionally, while reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense. The resolution also urges international organizations to condemn Hamas' actions and address the global surge in antisemitism following the attacks. As a symbolic statement, it does not create new laws or alter policy but expresses congressional position. The bill specifically references the ongoing captivity of seven U.S. citizens: Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Gadi Haggai, Judith Weinstein Haggai, Omer Neutra, and Keith Siegel.

Maddy summaryHR 9807, the Strengthening Access to Contraceptive Care Act, provides $100 million annually (2025-2029) in federal grants to health centers in areas with limited contraceptive access, known as "contraceptive deserts." The bill directly supports clinics, hospitals, and community organizations in underserved communities - particularly impacting Black, Hispanic, and low-income individuals who face barriers to contraception - by funding expanded services. Grants cover essential activities like patient education on all contraceptive methods, purchasing supplies (including emergency contraception), telehealth services, hiring staff, and creating culturally appropriate materials. This aims to increase provider capacity to offer comprehensive, person-centered contraceptive care without coercion, addressing documented gaps where over 19 million people lack access to full contraceptive options.

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 summaryThis bill amends the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act to establish a fifth round of payments for eligible victims of state-sponsored terrorism, requiring all authorized payments to be distributed by December 31, 2024. It directs specific funds into the Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, including $898 million from the Binance case settlement and 50% of annual unobligated balances from DOJ and Treasury forfeiture funds starting December 1, 2024. The bill mandates annual payments beginning January 1, 2025, for eligible claimants and requires the Special Master to submit annual reports on fund activity to Congress, including detailed deposit and disbursement records. It directly affects victims of state-sponsored terrorism, the Special Master administering the fund, and federal agencies managing forfeiture funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin and place it in the U.S. Capitol. The committee must secure the statue within two years of the bill's enactment and install it in a public-accessible location by January 1, 2026, for viewing during Capitol Visitor Center guided tours. It is a procedural measure with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents or legislation.

Maddy summaryHRES 1447 is a non-binding resolution expressing support for designating the week of September 22-28, 2024, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week." It directly honors families who lost loved ones while serving in the U.S. military (referred to as "Gold Star Families") and families of veterans. The resolution encourages Americans to observe the week by performing community service and celebrating the sacrifices of fallen service members, without creating new laws or obligations. It aligns with existing recognition of Gold Star Mother’s Day (the last Sunday in September) but expands the focus to all affected families.

Maddy summaryHR 4741, the Securing Global Telecommunications Act, requires the U.S. State Department to develop a strategy within 90 days to promote secure telecommunications infrastructure globally, focusing on countering security risks from untrusted vendors like Huawei. The strategy must address mobile networks, data centers, 6G technology, and satellite systems, emphasizing collaboration with allies and developing nations to encourage the use of "trusted" equipment providers. It also mandates reports on Chinese and Russian influence at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and opportunities for multilateral financing to support secure telecom projects. The bill directly affects U.S. government agencies (State Department, FCC, development finance entities) and foreign countries selecting telecom infrastructure providers. It does not impose direct restrictions but outlines U.S. policy actions to strengthen global telecom security and market leadership for allied vendors.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends survivor benefits to spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It revises eligibility rules so that veterans who die from ALS are treated as having met the required service duration for benefits, and surviving spouses must have been married for at least eight years prior to the veteran's death. The bill also requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit a report within 180 days identifying other service-connected disabilities with high mortality rates that might qualify for similar treatment. These changes apply to veterans dying from ALS on or after October 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHRES 1409 is a symbolic House resolution condemning Nicolás Maduro's regime for alleged election fraud in Venezuela's July 28, 2024 presidential election. It recognizes opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the president-elect based on observed vote tallies showing his decisive victory, and condemns the regime's refusal to release transparent results. The resolution calls for new sanctions against Maduro and his allies, demands respect for the election outcome, and urges diplomatic pressure to support Venezuela's democratic transition. This resolution directly addresses the Maduro regime's actions and expresses U.S. solidarity with Venezuelan voters and the opposition.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, which provides federal funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to reduce backlogs in processing DNA evidence from crime scenes. It extends the program's funding period from fiscal years 2024 through 2029 (previously ending in 2024). The bill also updates audit requirements to ensure grant funds are used properly through 2029. This directly affects law enforcement agencies that receive these grants to accelerate DNA analysis for criminal investigations.