Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Maddy summaryHR 9997 designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, as the "Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, Jr. VA Clinic." This ceremonial bill names the facility after Second Lieutenant Leonard G. Lomell, Jr., a D-Day hero who led a critical mission at Pointe-du-Hoc during World War II and later served his community in Toms River. The bill has no policy provisions - it simply changes the clinic's official name for recognition purposes. The naming honors Lomell's military service, post-war civic contributions, and connection to the Toms River area.

Maddy summaryHRES 609 is a House resolution expressing opposition to New York City's proposed Central Business District Tolling Program, which would charge drivers up to $23 daily to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. The resolution highlights that this fee could cost daily commuters about $5,000 annually and disproportionately burden small businesses (still recovering from pandemic lockdowns), low-income families, and students. It disapproves of the program, calls for a public economic impact report, and urges federal and state authorities to halt its implementation. The resolution notes the program is intended to generate $1 billion yearly for the MTA’s capital projects and operations, following the agency’s $690 million 2022 revenue loss.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges receiving federal student aid (Title IV funds) to annually certify they won't engage in "nonexpressive commercial boycotts of Israel" - defined as commercial actions limiting business with Israel or entities there, excluding certain exceptions under existing law. Non-compliant institutions must be publicly listed by the Education Department within 7 business days after July 31 each year, and they lose eligibility for federal aid. The law directly affects any institution participating in federal student aid programs that fails to submit the required certification. It establishes a clear mechanism for tracking compliance through annual certifications and public transparency, without altering other federal aid rules.

Maddy summaryThe Kairo Act of 2024 requires child care providers receiving federal funds (like Child Care Development Block Grants or Head Start) to create a "parent’s bill of rights" document. This document must include specific information for parents, such as child abuse hotline contacts, access to facility inspection reports, procedures for reviewing video recordings of incidents, and policies on staff training. Providers must distribute this written document to parents within 45 days of the law’s effective date or before a child’s first day in care. The law applies directly to center-based, family, and religious child care providers receiving federal funding, aiming to increase transparency and parent access to facility records.

Maddy summaryHR 915 requires businesses that contract with motor carriers (like shippers, brokers, or freight forwarders) to verify three safety and compliance details before shipping goods: 1) the carrier's valid registration, 2) minimum required insurance coverage, and 3) that the carrier is not disqualified for safety reasons by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) or a state. This verification must occur 45 days before shipment. The bill creates a temporary standard that expires when new FMCSA regulations are issued within 18 months of enactment. It does not change carrier safety rules but sets a new requirement for businesses selecting carriers.

Maddy summaryThe Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act (HR 807) directs the U.S. Treasury to mint three types of commemorative coins honoring working dogs' service: $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar coins with specific weight and composition requirements. Each coin will carry a surcharge ($35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, $5 for half-dollars) that will be paid directly to America's VetDogs to support their programs providing service dogs for veterans, the disabled, and others. The coins will be issued in 2027 with designs reflecting working dogs' roles in military, detection, therapy, and assistance work. The legislation specifies that all surcharge revenue must fund America's VetDogs' operations without creating new government programs. This is a commemorative measure focused on honoring working dogs' contributions through coin sales, with all surcharge funds going to a specific nonprofit organization.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Truth and Healing Commission to investigate the history and impacts of U.S. Indian Boarding School policies on Native American communities, including cultural, emotional, and physical effects on survivors, descendants, and tribal communities. The Commission will document these impacts through research, public meetings, and testimony, working with two advisory committees focused on Native American perspectives and Federal agency coordination. The Commission will operate for six years, with annual reports to Congress and a final report containing recommendations for Federal action. The bill also includes provisions for managing burial sites related to boarding schools and ensures the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act applies to remains found on Federal lands related to these schools.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Ukraine to reverse its 2022 suspension of adoptions by foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens. It specifically asks Ukraine to review its decision and resume such adoptions, prioritizing cases where U.S. prospective parents had already completed Ukrainian adoption requirements before the suspension or where children were part of pre-existing Ukrainian hosting programs. The resolution does not change U.S. law but formally requests Ukraine address mutual concerns to protect children's best interests. It directly affects U.S. families seeking to adopt Ukrainian children and Ukraine's adoption policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Fund within the existing Multinational Species Conservation Fund, authorizing $5 million annually from 2025-2030. It provides competitive grants to foreign wildlife authorities and qualified organizations to fund on-the-ground conservation projects for species facing severe extinction risk (defined by IUCN Red List categories). Projects must focus on habitat protection, research, anti-poaching enforcement, community engagement, or disease management, while requiring local community consent and matching funds. Grants cannot fund captive breeding except for reintroduction into the wild, and all project reports must be publicly available.

Maddy summaryThe Engage the Pacific Act establishes a new U.S. government committee to coordinate engagement with civil society organizations (like community groups, media, and environmental groups) across Pacific Island nations (including Fiji, Samoa, and Palau). It creates two key programs: the Indo-Pacific Media Advancement Program ($4 million annually) to strengthen independent journalism and counter disinformation, and the Pacific Islands TRADES Program ($10 million annually) to fund workforce training in sectors like tourism and fisheries. The bill requires reports from the State Department and USAID on American Spaces facilities, strategic communications, and how U.S. efforts align with Pacific priorities. These provisions directly affect U.S. agencies, Pacific Island civil society groups, and the delivery of U.S. foreign assistance in the region.