Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to require all U.S. colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to create detailed anti-harassment policies covering physical, online, and institution-sponsored settings. It mandates policies prohibiting harassment based on race, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, religion, and other protected characteristics, including harassment via institutional email, computers, or electronic messaging. The bill also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund colleges developing prevention programs, victim support services, and training for students and staff on recognizing and addressing harassment. These policies and grants must comply with existing civil rights laws like Title IX but add specific requirements for reporting and prevention.

Maddy summaryThe FACTS Act (HR 5625) creates a pilot program to fund partnerships between schools and public health agencies to prevent synthetic opioid misuse among students. It authorizes $50 million annually to support evidence-based prevention programs, including professional development for school staff, student workshops, and community outreach. The bill requires schools to collect data on synthetic opioid prevalence and mandates that school health centers stock naloxone. It also amends national surveys to track youth opioid use patterns and establishes an interagency task force to coordinate prevention efforts. These provisions aim to address the growing crisis of synthetic opioid misuse among young people through education, data collection, and prevention programs.

Maddy summaryHRES 718 is a symbolic resolution supporting the designation of September 23, 2023, as "Bruce Springsteen Day" to honor the musician's contributions. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or groups, as it is a non-binding expression of congressional support. The resolution highlights Springsteen's career, his connection to New Jersey (where he was born), and his impact on American music and culture. It specifically recognizes his birthday as the designated day and his work addressing themes like working-class life and national unity. This is a ceremonial gesture with no legal or policy consequences.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides federal retirement benefits to educators at tribal schools. It makes employees of tribally controlled schools eligible for the same federal retirement pension (FERS) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) as other federal employees. The Bureau of Indian Affairs will pay the government's share of these contributions. This directly affects educators working at tribal schools operating under specific federal contracts or grants, such as those under the Indian Self-Determination Act or Tribally Controlled Schools Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens SNAP employment and training programs by expanding eligibility to include more job training options, such as vocational rehabilitation and refugee employment programs. It extends the maximum participation period from 90 to 180 days and increases funding authorization from $103.9 million to $119.9 million for state employment programs. States can now cover costs to help participants overcome barriers like transportation or childcare to stay in training. The changes directly affect SNAP recipients enrolled in state-administered job training programs and the state agencies that run them.

Maddy summaryHR 5610 establishes a 15-member Commission to examine historical discrimination against LGBTQ+ service members and veterans. The Commission will document policies targeting LGBTQ+ individuals in the military since WWII, gather testimonies from affected veterans, and analyze impacts on mental health, benefits access, and financial stability. It must hold public hearings, examine how discrimination affected racial minorities and women within the military, and recommend solutions like record corrections, improved benefits for LGBTQ+ veterans, and better diversity training. The Commission will submit a final report to Congress within one year, proposing concrete steps to address past harms and improve inclusion in the military.

Maddy summaryHR 5566, the *Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2023*, establishes an 18-year term limit for all Supreme Court justices. It requires the President to nominate one new justice every two years (during first and third years after presidential elections), with Senate confirmation within 90 days, and prohibits lifetime appointments. Current justices are automatically retired in order of service length as new justices are appointed, while retired justices may temporarily fill vacancies through a randomized process. The bill directly affects all sitting and future Supreme Court justices by restructuring appointments and retirement timelines.

Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 amends the Animal Welfare Act to strengthen enforcement of animal welfare standards. It gives the Attorney General authority to bring civil cases for violations, including seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation and injunctions to remove or relocate animals. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and Attorney General to coordinate through a new Memorandum of Understanding, focusing on repeat violators. These changes directly affect dealers, exhibitors, and enforcement agencies by expanding civil enforcement tools and clarifying jurisdiction over rule violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends existing programs that provide payments to counties and states with federal land, primarily to support local schools and communities. It updates key deadlines, extending secure payments through 2026, special project authorities through 2029, and county fund expenditure authority through 2028. A new pilot program allows regional foresters to appoint resource advisory committee members directly, with this authority ending October 1, 2028. These changes directly affect rural counties and states managing federal lands, maintaining current funding mechanisms without altering eligibility or payment amounts.

Maddy summaryHR 4845, the Food Secure Strikers Act of 2023, amends the Food and Nutrition Act to remove a restriction that previously disqualified workers from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if they were on strike. The bill changes eligibility rules so that striking workers are no longer automatically ineligible for SNAP benefits solely because they are participating in a labor strike. This change directly affects workers involved in strikes who rely on SNAP for food assistance, ensuring they can access benefits during labor disputes. The key provision removes specific language from Section 6(d) of the Food and Nutrition Act that had barred strike participants from SNAP enrollment.