Rep. Susie Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the use of 529 college savings accounts to cover career training and credentialing costs. It allows funds to pay for tuition, fees, books, and testing expenses related to recognized postsecondary credential programs (like vocational certifications) that meet specific standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The change directly affects workers seeking industry-recognized credentials - such as nursing certifications or IT certifications - instead of traditional degrees. It treats these expenses the same as traditional college costs for 529 account withdrawals, making it easier to save for career-focused training. The provision applies to expenses paid after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryHRES 200 is a non-binding House resolution condemning two mass shootings in California: 11 victims in Monterey Park (January 21, 2023) at a Lunar New Year celebration and 7 victims in Half Moon Bay (January 23, 2023) at a farm. It honors all victims - primarily Asian-American seniors and immigrant farmworkers - expresses condolences to their families, and reaffirms the House’s commitment to supporting Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities. The resolution specifically addresses the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic and recognizes the vulnerability of immigrant communities. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally condemns the violence and affirms solidarity.

Maddy summaryHRES 198 is a non-binding House resolution recognizing the Girl Scouts of the United States of America on its 111th anniversary. It celebrates the organization’s role in providing girls with safe, inclusive spaces for leadership development, skill-building, and community engagement through programs like STEM education, outdoor activities, and civic initiatives. The resolution specifically acknowledges Girl Scouts’ 111-year legacy, congratulates Gold Award recipients, and encourages continued support for their mission. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policies, allocate funds, or directly affect any individuals or organizations.

Maddy summaryHR 1405, the IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act, establishes two programs within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The IMPACTT Program provides trauma support training for HSI staff working with trafficking victims, focusing on recognizing burnout and stress, self-care resources, and supervisor training. The Victim Assistance Program mandates specific staffing (including forensic interview specialists and victim assistance specialists) at HSI offices and task forces to deliver victim-centered, trauma-informed support, including emergency aid like food, shelter, and transportation. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on training participation and victims assisted, aiming to improve both staff well-being and victim support services.

Maddy summaryHR 1247 would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders collectively, honoring their pivotal role in challenging segregation in interstate travel during the Civil Rights movement. The medal, to be struck by the U.S. Mint and displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, recognizes their nonviolent protests that led to the 1961 federal ban on segregation in interstate public facilities. This is a symbolic tribute with no legal effect, as the bill does not create new policies or alter existing laws.

Maddy summaryHR 1160 requires owners, operators, and users of critical electric infrastructure (like power grid systems) to report cybersecurity incidents and potential incidents to the Department of Energy within 24 hours. The bill amends federal law to establish this mandatory reporting requirement, with the Department of Energy tasked with creating regulations within 240 days of enactment to define "potential incidents" and manage submissions. It also mandates annual reports from the Department to Congress detailing the number of incidents reported and actions taken. This directly affects electric utility companies and grid operators responsible for maintaining critical infrastructure.

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 summaryThis is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' symbolic support for designating February 27-March 3, 2023, as "Public Schools Week." It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect any individuals or institutions. The resolution highlights the importance of public schools to democracy, equity, and student success through a series of supporting statements. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal effect beyond acknowledging the significance of public education.

Maddy summaryThe Net Price Calculator Improvement Act requires colleges and universities to update their online cost calculators within one year to provide clearer, more detailed information about actual college expenses after financial aid. These tools must prominently display the net price (after aid), break down costs like tuition, room, board, and books, show estimated grant aid, and use recent data (within two academic years). The law also mandates privacy protections - prohibiting the sale of personal information - and requires calculators to include details about veterans' benefits when applicable. This directly affects all institutions required to provide net price calculators and helps prospective students and families better understand true college costs.

Maddy summaryHR 1202, the REDI Act, amends the Higher Education Act to allow medical and dental residents to temporarily pause federal student loan payments without accruing interest during their internship or residency programs. This directly affects borrowers with federal student loans who are enrolled in qualifying medical or dental training programs. The key provision adds a new rule (paragraph 6) ensuring these borrowers qualify for a deferment period where they don't pay principal and interest accrues at 0%. The change modifies existing loan rules to explicitly include medical/dental residents under the "in-school" deferment category. This policy change provides immediate financial relief during a critical training phase for healthcare professionals.