Rep. Steven Horsford

Maddy summaryHR 6787, the Las Vegas Wash Program Extension Act, increases federal funding authorization for the Las Vegas Wash water management program from $40 million to $65 million. This amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 directly affects the ongoing operations and maintenance of the Las Vegas Wash Program, which manages water quality and flood control in the Las Vegas area. The bill's sole provision is adjusting the annual funding level for this specific program, with no new requirements or policy changes. The program primarily serves the Las Vegas Valley watershed region in Nevada.

Maddy summaryHR 6900, the Continuing to Serve Act, expands the SkillBridge program to help military service members transition to civilian careers. It directly affects active-duty service members by broadening eligible employers to include private, public, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The bill requires the military to annually inform service members about program eligibility and application processes, and to run public awareness campaigns targeting potential employers to increase participation and diversify employer types. These changes aim to improve access to civilian job opportunities for transitioning service members through clearer program outreach and expanded employer partnerships.

Maddy summaryHR 6830, the "Books Save Lives Act," requires covered schools (elementary/secondary schools receiving federal funds) and public libraries receiving federal assistance to maintain staffed libraries with diverse book collections. These collections must include books written by, illustrated by, or about individuals from underrepresented communities - defined as racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, or people with disabilities. The bill states that excluding such "covered books" could be used as evidence of discrimination under civil rights laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It also mandates a report on the impact of book-banning campaigns on these communities within 180 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Brittany Clardy Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Act establishes a new Office within the Department of Justice to address the disproportionate rates of missing and murdered Black women and girls in the U.S. The Office will collect and analyze data on these cases - including case resolution times, Amber Alert usage, and trafficking links - and create a public dashboard for tracking. It also creates a grant program for community organizations to provide culturally appropriate prevention services, law enforcement training, and victim support. The Office must submit biennial reports to Congress with findings and recommendations to improve the criminal justice response to these cases. This bill directly affects Black women and girls facing violence, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations providing related services.

Maddy summaryHR 6833 amends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to increase benefits for employers hiring from targeted groups. It raises the credit rate from 40% to 50% for qualified wages, with higher limits for veterans (up to $24,000/$48,000 in first/second year) and removes an age cap for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. The bill also adjusts rules for summer youth workers (capping credits at $3,000 annually) and long-term welfare recipients. These changes apply to individuals starting work after December 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryHRES 928 is a symbolic resolution honoring the three UNLV professors killed and one faculty member injured in a December 6, 2023 campus shooting. It specifically commemorates Cha Jan "Jerry" Chang (a business school professor), Patricia Navarro-Velez (an accounting professor), and Naoko Takemaru (a Japanese studies professor), while expressing condolences to their families. The resolution also commends university police and emergency responders for their rapid actions during the incident. As a commemorative resolution, it does not enact policy changes or funding but serves as a formal expression of support for the UNLV community.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax deduction for consumers who win lawsuits against businesses for violations of consumer protection laws. It allows consumers to deduct attorney fees and court costs from their taxable income when they receive a settlement or judgment in cases involving specific federal laws, such as the Truth in Lending Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or Fair Credit Reporting Act. The deduction applies to fees paid after the bill's enactment for cases settled or judged during the same taxable year. It directly affects consumers who successfully pursue legal claims under the listed consumer protection statutes and their attorneys.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor Marshall "Major" Taylor, a pioneering Black cyclist who broke racial barriers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It recognizes his athletic achievements, including world records and international championship wins, as well as his advocacy for equality in sports. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, will be presented to Taylor's great-granddaughter, Karen Donovan, following the congressional authorization. As a commemorative act with no policy changes, it serves solely to honor Taylor's legacy as a trailblazer and role model.

Maddy summaryHR 6592, the Fight Book Bans Act, provides federal grants to reimburse public school districts for legal costs when they choose to keep instructional or library materials after parental objections. It directly affects school districts (covered local educational agencies) that select materials for students and handle challenges to their removal. The bill authorizes up to $100,000 per case in grants to cover attorney fees and court costs, provided the district didn’t remove the materials and wasn’t reimbursed by the state. Funding of $15 million is authorized for fiscal years 2024-2028. The grants are strictly for legal challenges to decisions not to remove materials, not for the content of the materials themselves.

Maddy summaryHRES 793 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Hamas to immediately release all 199 hostages taken during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution condemns Hamas for the attack, the taking of hostages, and threats against hostages, while stating that holding hostages violates international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions. It demands the immediate release of all hostages and expresses sympathy for victims and their families. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create legal obligations but formally expresses the House's position.