Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez

Maddy summaryHR 5999, the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act, creates a new Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act Ombudsman within the Small Business Administration (SBA). This ombudsman will directly assist small businesses by helping them understand and comply with federal regulations through training, compliance guides, and webinars on new rules. The bill requires federal agencies with regulatory authority over small businesses to designate a primary point of contact to coordinate with the ombudsman and provide clear information about regulatory requirements. It mandates that agencies develop and share resources to help small businesses navigate compliance, including assistance with forms and specific regulatory questions.

Maddy summaryHR 5955, the Safe Return Act, amends the State Department's repatriation program to replace loans with grants for specific groups. It directly affects U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and third-country nationals needing financial assistance to return to the U.S. The bill changes eligibility to include destitute lawful permanent residents and updates the program to use "grants" instead of "loans," requiring written grant agreements rather than loan terms. The Secretary of State must also update the Foreign Affairs Manual to reflect these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends an existing federal awareness campaign (Johanna's Law) to specifically include ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers. It directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to expand public service announcements to raise awareness about these cancers, emphasizing screening for cervical cancer and genetic risk factors. The campaign must now specifically target disadvantaged women, addressing documented disparities where Black women face 80% higher endometrial cancer mortality and Hispanic women have 50% higher rates among young adults. The bill focuses solely on increasing public awareness through existing HHS resources, without creating new funding or medical programs.

Maddy summaryHRES 754 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinas in the United States. It highlights Latinas' roles in business (owning over 2 million businesses), military service (45,710 active duty), arts (Oscar-winning artists like Rita Moreno), and public service, while noting persistent challenges like the 57-cent pay gap. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally honors these contributions and acknowledges the need for further progress toward equality. It was introduced by multiple representatives and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

Maddy summaryHRES 753 is a non-binding resolution commemorating the fifth anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi's murder in 2018 and calling for accountability from the Saudi government. It urges Saudi Arabia to ensure accountability for those responsible for his killing, release wrongfully detained individuals (including human rights defenders), lift travel bans on dissidents, and respect freedoms of assembly, association, and press. The resolution acknowledges U.S. sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act targeting 17 Saudi officials linked to Khashoggi's murder. As a symbolic congressional statement, it does not impose new legal obligations but expresses support for accountability and human rights.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 68 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for recognizing September 26, 2023, as "World Contraception Day." It states the House's "sense" that Congress and the Administration should work to improve universal, affordable access to contraception for all people who may become pregnant, both domestically and globally. The resolution calls for evidence-based policies to address disparities in access, expand comprehensive sex education, and support programs like Title X family planning services, without creating new laws or funding. It directly affects all individuals seeking reproductive health care, particularly those facing barriers due to race, income, location, or gender identity. The resolution does not mandate action but outlines policy priorities for future consideration.

Maddy summaryHRES 746 is a symbolic House resolution designating September 2023 as "National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or policies but aims to raise public awareness about ovarian cancer. The resolution highlights the disease's impact - such as it being the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women - and emphasizes the importance of recognizing symptoms early. This designation supports educational efforts by organizations like the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance during September to improve public and healthcare provider understanding of the disease.

Maddy summaryHRES 751 is a non-binding resolution designating October 1, 2023, as "National Animal Rescue Day" to raise public awareness about animal adoption and spaying/neutering. It directly supports animal shelters, rescue organizations, and the public by encouraging adoption events, educational activities, and charitable support on that date. The resolution aims to reduce shelter overcrowding and euthanasia rates by promoting adoption and responsible pet ownership through nationwide observance. It does not create new laws or funding but expresses congressional support for existing animal rescue efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 5783, the Blue Collar and Green Collar Jobs Development Act, establishes a federal program to improve training and education for workers in energy-related industries, directly affecting educational institutions, energy employers, and individuals seeking jobs in these sectors. The bill requires the Secretary of Energy to create a nationwide workforce development program that prioritizes disadvantaged communities and minority-serving institutions, provides grants to cover training costs for eligible workers, and establishes a public clearinghouse with regional workforce data on energy job needs. Key provisions include developing voluntary STEM education guidelines for energy careers, creating a grant program to cover up to 45% of training wages for small businesses, and requiring collaboration with state workforce boards and energy industries. The program authorizes $15 million annually for workforce development and $50 million for the grant program through 2028. This legislation aims to connect job seekers with training opportunities in sectors like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and advanced manufacturing without mandating adoption by states or schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to adjust contract prices to reimburse contractors for paying employees during government funding lapses (e.g., shutdowns). It covers costs for furloughed, laid-off, or reduced-hour workers, or for restoring paid leave used during the lapse, with a weekly cap of $1,442 per employee. Directly affecting federal contractors and their employees who experienced work disruptions due to funding gaps, it mandates agencies to make these adjustments promptly after enactment. Contractors must provide proof of costs, and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy must report on implementation to Congress within a year.