Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Maddy summaryThe Equal Pay for Equal Work Act establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to strengthen enforcement of existing equal pay laws. The task force, made up of representatives from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, and Office of Personnel Management, will coordinate efforts to investigate pay disparities and develop solutions. It will create action plans to address enforcement gaps and improve public education about pay equity. This bill directly affects federal agencies and workers facing wage discrimination by enhancing how equal pay laws are enforced across government.

Maddy summaryHR 9416, the SAFE Act, protects access to assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization, by prohibiting state laws or actions that create unreasonable restrictions on its use. It directly affects individuals seeking ART services and healthcare providers offering them within U.S. jurisdictions. Key provisions ban state interference with ART access and limit liability for non-negligent accidents during ART procedures (like embryo handling) that unintentionally damage embryo viability. The bill defines ART broadly to cover established methods like IVF, as well as future technologies designated by the Secretary. This is a federal policy change aimed at ensuring consistent access to reproductive care nationwide.

Maddy summaryHR 9398, the Passport Processing Efficiency Act, prioritizes processing for U.S. passport applicants who submit applications in person at passport agencies or by mail over those using third-party couriers. It requires the State Department to annually report on how many processing slots are allocated to couriers at each agency, changes to those allocations, and citations issued against couriers for violating procedures. The bill also mandates a public website section for applicants to submit complaints about couriers and for the State Department to publish aggregated complaint summaries and remediation steps. This directly affects passport applicants using third-party services and aims to increase transparency in passport agency operations.

Maddy summaryThe HOPE Act of 2024 would establish HOPE Accounts, tax-advantaged savings accounts for paying qualified medical expenses. These accounts would allow individuals to save for medical costs with tax-free growth and distributions, with contribution limits of up to $4,000 per month for self-only coverage or $8,000 for family coverage. To qualify, individuals must have minimum essential health coverage and cannot have other health savings accounts like HSAs or FSAs. Contributions are generally not deductible but may be excluded from gross income for lower-income individuals, and distributions for qualified medical expenses would be tax-free. The bill also includes rules for employer contributions and coordination with existing health savings mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Department of Veterans Affairs' procurement rules to ensure women-owned small businesses receive equal priority in contracting preferences. It requires the VA to treat preferences for women-owned small businesses the same as other small business preferences under federal procurement law. Specifically, it adds a new provision (Section 8(m) of the Small Business Act) to VA procurement guidelines, mandating that all such preferences be afforded "the same degree of priority." This directly affects VA contracting officers and women-owned small businesses seeking federal contracts with the VA.

Maddy summaryHR 9390, the Sober Act of 2024, creates a federal grant program to fund state, local, and tribal 24/7 sobriety programs. These programs require individuals with substance use disorders (often linked to alcohol-related offenses) to abstain from alcohol/drugs, undergo regular testing (twice daily or via continuous monitoring), and face immediate sanctions for violations like jail time or community service. The bill authorizes $10 million annually from 2025-2029 to cover up to 80% of program costs, with recipients required to report on participation, testing outcomes, and program expenses. It aims to expand access to structured sobriety support as a complement to existing measures like ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders.

Maddy summaryThe Elder Pride Protection Act of 2024 establishes a new federal task force (the ELDER Task Force) within the Department of Justice to address elder abuse targeting LGBTQI+ seniors. The task force, formed within 90 days of the bill's enactment, will study abuse patterns against LGBTQI+ individuals aged 60+, develop best practices for law enforcement, and create educational materials for prevention and response. It will coordinate federal, state, and local efforts and report to Congress within one year. The bill directly affects LGBTQI+ seniors facing abuse, focusing on concrete policy actions through research, resource development, and interagency coordination.

Maddy summaryHR 9374, the Stand with Israel Act, prohibits U.S. federal funds from being used to support the United Nations or its entities if they restrict Israel's full participation as a member state. The bill specifically blocks funding for any UN body that expels, downgrades, or suspends Israel's membership or limits its ability to participate equally with other nations. This affects U.S. government contributions to the UN, requiring the Department of State and other agencies to halt funding for such UN actions. The key mechanism is a new provision in the UN Participation Act that mandates this funding restriction whenever Israel's UN participation is impaired.

Maddy summaryHR 9315 requires the Treasury Secretary to submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment, analyzing coordination between public and private sectors - including financial institutions and cybersecurity entities - in responding to ransomware attacks on financial institutions. The report must cover current information sharing practices, agency access to attack data, the usefulness of reported information for prevention/investigation, and potential policy improvements to enhance public-private partnerships. It directly affects financial institutions (as defined under 31 U.S.C. §5312(a)) and relevant government agencies by mandating a review of existing reporting and coordination mechanisms. The bill does not create new obligations or funding but seeks to identify gaps and recommend enhancements to streamline ransomware response. A briefing on the report’s findings is also required 15 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 9299, the IRAN Act, requires the U.S. Secretary of State to lead federal efforts promoting internet freedom and access to information in Iran. It amends a 2012 law to mandate specific strategy updates, including evaluating how activists use virtual private networks (VPNs) and satellite tech, developing guidance to prevent sanctions from blocking internet tools for Iranians, and planning to bypass government internet blackouts. The bill directs the State Department to coordinate with Treasury, Commerce, USAID, and intelligence agencies to implement these updates. This affects U.S. government agencies' coordination and aims to improve internet access for Iranian civil society activists.