Rep. Chris Pappas

Maddy summaryHR 7629, the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2024, allocates $1.4 billion annually (2025-2029) to the U.S. Postal Service for high-security collection boxes and replacing physical universal mailbox keys with electronic versions, directly affecting USPS operations and letter carriers. It requires the Attorney General to appoint specialized prosecutors in each district to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of postal-related crimes, such as assaults on carriers or mail theft. The bill also mandates the U.S. Sentencing Commission to adjust guidelines so that assaults or robberies against postal employees are treated with the same severity as assaults against law enforcement officers. These provisions aim to enhance safety through infrastructure upgrades, improved prosecution, and stricter sentencing for crimes targeting postal workers.

Maddy summaryThe Stop CMV Act of 2024 requires hospitals and healthcare entities caring for infants under 21 days old to administer congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening tests. It mandates states to establish screening standards within two years of enactment, with federal oversight by the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders if states fail to act. The bill allocates federal grants to states for implementing screening, improving data systems, and funding research on CMV diagnostics, prevention, and treatments through the National Institutes of Health. These provisions directly affect newborns, hospitals, and state health agencies by standardizing early CMV detection and supporting related public health efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 7576, the Reserve and National Guard Military Leave Enhancement Act, increases annual leave entitlement for federal employees serving in the Reserve or National Guard. It amends federal law to provide 30 days of annual leave per fiscal year (up from 15 days) for qualifying employees, removing the prior limit that capped leave at 15 days at the start of each year. This change directly affects federal workers who are members of the Reserve or National Guard, providing them with more time off for military service. The bill makes a concrete policy change by doubling the available leave days without adding new administrative requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 7502 requires the Labor Secretary to create a central database tracking apprenticeship programs. It mandates standardized data collection from states and program sponsors, then publishes non-personal program details - like location, offered credentials, and outcomes - on a searchable public website. This helps job seekers, employers, and training providers compare opportunities using consistent, easy-to-understand information. The system must align with existing federal data standards and be designed for user accessibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Small Business Administration's Office of Rural Affairs to submit annual reports on its rural business activities. The initial report must detail how the office promotes financial assistance, tracks statistics, and conducts outreach events, while annual reports must be submitted alongside the SBA's budget justification. It also mandates a separate report on the SBA's collaboration with the Department of Agriculture regarding rural business efforts. All reporting requirements will use existing SBA funding without new appropriations.

Maddy summaryThe Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023 amends the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act to expand sanctions against individuals and entities supporting the Assad regime in Syria. It targets those who provide financial or material support to the regime, divert humanitarian aid, seize property, or engage with Syria Arab Airlines or Cham Wings. The bill prohibits U.S. officials from recognizing or normalizing relations with the Assad regime and requires the administration to develop a strategy to counter other countries' engagement with Syria. It also mandates annual reports on diplomatic meetings with Syria, transactions involving Syria, and how the Assad regime manipulates UN operations in Syria.

Maddy summaryThe Uyghur Policy Act of 2023 establishes a U.S. Special Coordinator for Uyghur Issues within the State Department to coordinate policy and advocate for the protection of Uyghur cultural, religious, and linguistic identity in Xinjiang. It authorizes $250,000 annually for Uyghur human rights advocates to speak at public diplomacy events in Muslim-majority countries and mandates Uyghur language training for U.S. diplomats. The bill also directs the U.S. government to support United Nations monitoring of Xinjiang human rights issues and oppose efforts to block discussions of Xinjiang at the UN. These provisions focus on diplomatic advocacy and information-sharing, not direct sanctions or enforcement actions against China.

This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any amount received by an individual as a qualified clinical trial payment. Such payments include amounts paid to an individual or a dependent of the individual as compensation for participation in an approved clinical trial (i.e., a trial conducted in relation to the prevention, detection, or treatment of cancer or other disease or condition) or as reimbursement or payment of reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the individual's participation in an approved clinical trial.

Maddy summaryHR 7384, the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2024, extends the deadline for issuing priority review vouchers to pharmaceutical companies developing treatments for rare pediatric diseases. The bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to push the program’s expiration from 2024 to 2028 and adjusts another related deadline to 2030. This directly affects drug manufacturers seeking faster FDA review for new treatments targeting rare childhood illnesses. The extension ensures continued incentives for developing these critical therapies without altering the core voucher mechanism.

Maddy summaryHRES 966 is a symbolic resolution condemning alleged sexual violence committed by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. It specifically references eyewitness accounts, forensic evidence, and Hamas fighters' admissions of ordering gang rape, sexual mutilation, and assault against Israeli civilians. The resolution calls for international condemnation of such acts as weapons of war, urges nations to criminalize sexual violence, and supports investigations into Hamas' actions. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals but formally expresses the House's position on the issue.