Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr.

Maddy summaryHR 1244 authorizes Congress to award a gold medal collectively to Africans and their descendants who were enslaved in the U.S. from 1619 to 1865, recognizing their contributions to America's economic foundation. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike the medal, which will be permanently displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture. It also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This is a commemorative measure, not a policy change, focusing on symbolic recognition of historical contributions.

Maddy summaryThe Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2023 strengthens workers' rights to organize unions by making it harder for employers to interfere with organizing efforts. Key provisions include changing the definition of "employee" to make it more difficult to classify workers as independent contractors, prohibiting employers from threatening to permanently replace striking workers, and requiring employers to provide voter lists for union elections. The bill also creates a new electronic voting system for union elections, strengthens whistleblower protections for workers reporting labor violations, and increases penalties for unfair labor practices. These changes directly affect workers seeking to form unions, employers who may interfere with organizing, and labor organizations. The bill aims to make it easier for workers to exercise their right to collective bargaining under the National Labor Relations Act.

Maddy summaryHRES 132 is a non-binding House resolution expressing condolences for the over 36,000 earthquake victims in Türkiye and Syria and commending humanitarian response efforts. It specifically condemns the Assad regime for obstructing aid delivery and exploiting the disaster, urging the Biden administration to open all UN border crossings for aid and prevent U.S.-funded assistance from being diverted to Syria’s government. The resolution also calls for continued enforcement of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act to protect Syrian civilians. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new law but formally directs the administration’s diplomatic approach to the crisis.

Maddy summaryHR 1222, the Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023, authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor the six all-Black cavalry and infantry regiments established in 1866 (later consolidated into four regiments). The medal recognizes their service from the post-Civil War era through World War II, including roles in frontier protection, national park preservation, and combat during major conflicts. After awarding the medal, it will be permanently displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. This bill is purely commemorative, with no new policies or direct impacts on current laws or individuals.

This resolution condemns Russia for committing acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people. It also calls on the United States, in cooperation with North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Union allies, to undertake measures to support the Ukrainian government to prevent further acts of Russian genocide against the Ukrainian people.

Maddy summaryThe PREP Civics and Government Act (HR 1133) amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to explicitly include "civics and government" as a subject within the humanities. This change allows the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities to fund educational programs focused on civics and government through existing grant programs. The bill directly affects the Foundation’s funding priorities and organizations applying for humanities grants, such as schools, museums, and community groups offering civics education. It does not create new funding but expands eligibility for current humanities grants to cover civics and government content.

Maddy summaryHR 1088, the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to honor Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968) and the first Black candidate for a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image, which will be presented by Congress and then permanently displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to the public to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund. This bill commemorates Chisholm's legacy and achievements without creating new laws or affecting any current policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a posthumous Congressional gold medal for Constance Baker Motley, a pioneering civil rights attorney and federal judge. It directs the Treasury to strike a gold medal featuring her image and name, to be presented to her son, Joel Motley III, and niece, Constance Royster. The medal is a commemorative tribute recognizing her historic contributions to civil rights and her service as the first African-American woman appointed to a federal judgeship. No new policies or programs are created; the bill solely honors her legacy through a commemorative medal.

Maddy summaryHR 902, "Ellie’s Law," authorizes $10 million annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to conduct broader research on unruptured brain aneurysms. The funding aims to study diverse patient populations by age, sex, and race, supplementing existing research budgets without replacing them. This bill directly affects researchers and future patients by increasing federal investment in a condition impacting 6.6 million Americans, with current federal spending at only $2.08 per affected person yearly. The legislation focuses on advancing scientific understanding to improve prevention and treatment, citing the high mortality rate (50% fatal) and significant healthcare costs ($4.1 billion annually in direct costs) associated with brain aneurysm ruptures.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor all U.S. Army Dustoff crews who served during the Vietnam War (1962-1973). It recognizes their critical role in evacuating nearly 900,000 wounded personnel, including U.S., South Vietnamese, and allied forces, under extreme combat conditions. The medal, designed with input from the Secretary of Defense, will be presented to the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum for permanent display. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover costs, but the primary action is the commemorative recognition of these crews' service.