Rep. Ritchie Torres

Maddy summaryHR 1102 establishes a commission to study the feasibility of creating a National Museum of Italian American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The commission, composed of 8 members appointed by congressional leaders, will examine factors like location options, costs, fundraising potential, and impacts on existing museums, and must report back within 18 months. It will not create the museum itself but will develop recommendations for Congress on whether to proceed, with all funding coming from private sources - no federal funds may be used for the commission’s work. The bill focuses solely on the study process, not on building or operating the museum.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for blockchain technology and digital assets. It states the House believes the U.S. should prioritize understanding blockchain's potential, foster innovation to improve financial systems, avoid losing digital asset development to less regulated countries, and create tailored regulations that maintain investor protections while acknowledging the unique benefits of the technology. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws or directly affect specific groups, but reflects congressional sentiment toward the digital asset industry.

Maddy summaryHRES 116 is a non-binding House resolution condemning pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It expresses the House's disapproval of such pardons but does not alter any laws or affect legal proceedings. The resolution has no legal force and serves only as a formal statement of disapproval by the sponsoring lawmakers. It directly addresses the pardons of specific individuals found guilty in criminal cases related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies corporate tax rules to prevent companies from avoiding US taxes by moving operations overseas. It targets tax breaks that companies currently use when they outsource work to foreign countries or reorganize as foreign entities (so-called "inverted corporations"). The bill requires companies to pay tax on foreign profits based on each country where they operate, limits tax deductions for interest by multinational corporations, and treats foreign corporations managed in the US as domestic for tax purposes. These changes aim to close loopholes that allow companies to reduce their US tax burden through foreign operations.

Maddy summaryHR 1033, the COLUMBIA Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Secretary of Education to appoint independent antisemitism monitors at colleges and universities receiving federal funding under the Higher Education Act that have been identified as having a high incidence of antisemitic activity. These monitors must operate under formal agreements with institutions, provide quarterly public reports on progress toward reducing antisemitism, and submit annual recommendations to Congress and school leadership. The bill directly affects federally funded higher education institutions with documented antisemitism concerns, focusing on monitoring and reporting rather than direct sanctions. It mandates transparency through publicly available reports while outlining a structured process for oversight under the Department of Education's authority.

Maddy summaryHR 1007, the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025, clarifies how the Department of Education enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to address discrimination against Jewish individuals. It requires the Department to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating complaints involving discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics. This affects Jewish students and communities in K-12 schools and colleges receiving federal funding, as it ensures antisemitism is assessed under existing civil rights protections. The bill does not create new laws but specifies that the IHRA definition - already used by the Department since 2018 - must be applied in Title VI enforcement cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal right to access contraception, protecting individuals' ability to obtain contraceptives and health care providers' ability to offer them without government interference. It prohibits states from banning or restricting contraceptive services, products, or information, including laws that force providers to deny care based on personal beliefs or limit access to specific methods. The law immediately overrides conflicting state regulations and ensures that contraception remains available regardless of factors like race, income, disability, or location. It applies to all individuals and providers, building on existing federal protections like the Affordable Care Act's coverage requirements.

This resolution supports federal investment in public K-12 schools, affirms that the Department of Education (ED) plays a vital role in the public education system, and states that public education funding should not be diverted (e.g., through the use of vouchers) to privately run K-12 schools.  The resolution also rejects any claim that the executive branch has the legal authority to (1) dismantle or relocate ED or any of its major offices; or (2) reduce federal funding for public education, block federal grants for education, or transfer funding burdens for education to state and local governments.

Stop the Wait Act of 2025 This bill phases out the initial waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eliminates the waiting period for certain disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare.  Under current law, individuals generally must wait five months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits. The bill would gradually reduce this waiting period before eliminating it entirely in the year 2030.  Further, the bill would eliminate the 24-month waiting period for certain disabled workers and other individuals to become eligible for Medicare. Under current law, individuals under the age of 65 may generally enroll in Medicare after they have been eligible for SSDI or Social Security child’s, widow’s, or widower’s benefits by reason of disability for 24 months. The bill would eliminate this waiting period for individuals for whom the annual cost of certain medical insurance would exceed a specified percentage of their household income (i.e., those who cannot afford minimum essential coverage). Medicare eligibility for these individuals must be available retroactively to the first month that an individual qualified for SSDI or Social Security child’s, widow’s, or widower’s benefits by reason of disability.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, extending mental health support programs for healthcare professionals through 2030 (previously ending in 2024). It requires funded programs to specifically address reducing administrative burdens on healthcare workers while continuing to promote access to mental health and substance use disorder services. The legislation directly affects healthcare providers across the U.S. who may access these federally supported resources. Key provisions include extending funding periods and mandating that grant recipients focus on easing workplace administrative tasks, alongside maintaining existing awareness initiatives. The bill does not create new programs but continues and refines existing mental health support for the healthcare workforce.