Rep. Yvette D. Clarke

Protecting Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2023 or the Protecting PAHPA Act of 2023 This bill extends through FY2028 and modifies various programs and activities that support public health preparedness and response. The bill also addresses matters concerning shortages of drugs and medical devices and recalls of drugs. For example, the bill modifies activities of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority; grants to support preparedness and response activities of health departments, hospitals, and public health laboratories; programs to facilitate the response of volunteer health providers and other professionals during disasters and emergencies; efforts related to the management and operation of the Strategic National Stockpile; federal partnerships and initiatives for collaborating and coordinating during public health and other emergencies and with the development of medical countermeasures and diagnostic testing capacity; and requirements for collecting and reporting public health and health care data and information. Additionally, the bill makes various changes to address and mitigate shortages of drugs and devices, including by (1) setting out a process to safely extend the expiration date of certain medical countermeasures and other life-saving drugs, and (2) expanding requirements for drug manufacturers to notify the Food and Drug Administration concerning potential shortages. Further, the bill expands the authority of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to order the recall of controlled substances to cover all drugs.

Maddy summaryHR 4663, the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act, defines "mechanical insulation" (insulation around pipes and equipment in federal buildings) as an eligible energy efficiency measure. It requires federal agencies to include mechanical insulation in their required energy and water evaluations, specifically mandating that evaluations identify this insulation as a potential efficiency measure. The bill specifies that such insulation must meet minimum standards under Reference Standard 90.1 to qualify. This change directly affects federal building managers and contractors by formally recognizing mechanical insulation as a standard efficiency option in compliance with existing energy conservation laws.

Maddy summaryHRES 605 is a non-binding resolution recognizing the need to support mothers in the workforce through investments in the "Mom Economy." It highlights how mothers - especially mothers of color - face systemic barriers like childcare costs, wage gaps, and lack of paid leave, which contribute to their economic disengagement. The resolution calls for concrete policy changes, including expanding paid family leave, investing in affordable childcare, strengthening the child tax credit, and improving workplace protections for caregivers. It directly addresses mothers and families who rely on maternal earnings, emphasizing that supporting them would boost economic productivity and reduce poverty.

Maddy summaryHRES 608 is a non-binding House resolution recognizing the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts at colleges and universities. It affirms that DEI initiatives help create supportive learning environments where all students, faculty, and staff thrive, and specifically supports programs like implicit bias training and cultural competence resources. The resolution emphasizes that DEI efforts strengthen institutions’ ability to recruit diverse talent and align with academic freedom principles. It also notes concerns about state-level efforts to restrict DEI programs and states that such restrictions threaten campus inclusivity. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but expresses congressional support for DEI work in higher education.

Maddy summaryThe SHADE Act creates a federal grant program to plant trees in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods, primarily targeting redlined areas (former HOLC "hazardous" zones) and overburdened areas (where at least 35% of households are low-income, or 40% identify as minority/tribal, or 40% are limited English proficiency). Eligible entities - like cities, tribes, or nonprofits - must submit applications with 5-year plans, community input strategies, and evidence of housing policies preventing displacement. Grants cover tree planting, maintenance for 5 years, and training, with $50 million annually authorized through 2034. The bill directly affects communities facing environmental inequities by linking tree planting to neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 4812, the Food for Thought Act of 2023, provides federal grants to eligible colleges and universities to offer free on-campus meals to low-income students. The bill targets institutions with high Pell Grant enrollment (at least 30% of undergrads), prioritizing community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and those in areas with high need. Participating schools must provide 1-10 free meals weekly to students facing food insecurity, with priority given to those with greatest financial need, and must report on student outcomes like retention and graduation rates. Grants cover meal costs, campus food pantries, and SNAP enrollment support, with funds allocated for 5 years and requiring detailed reporting on program impact.

Advancing Maternal Health Equity Under Medicaid Act This bill provides a 90% federal matching rate for Medicaid maternal health care expenditures that exceed 2019 levels. Qualifying services must be provided by maternity care providers or perinatal health workers (e.g., doulas) and include prenatal and postpartum telehealth services, home visits, and behavioral health care.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 25 would remove the 1979 deadline for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which was originally proposed in 1972. This bill directly affects states that ratified the ERA after the deadline (such as Nevada, Illinois, and Virginia in 2017-2018) by making their ratifications legally valid. The key provision states that the ERA is valid as part of the Constitution if ratified by three-fourths of states, regardless of the original deadline. The bill does not create new rights but aims to finalize the constitutional amendment process by eliminating the time limit.

Maddy summaryThe Housing Transparency Improvement Act requires public housing agencies to create an online portal for residents and applicants in low-income housing and properties under the Rental Assistance Demonstration program. The portal must provide plain-language access to housing management details, legal rights (with translation), and real-time tracking for service requests and complaints using a ticket system. Agencies must also publish annual fact sheets online detailing funding sources, inspection scores, renovation plans, and contact information for property managers. Small agencies (with ≤50 units in rural areas) are exempt from the portal but must submit alternative transparency methods to HUD, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may provide grants to cover implementation costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 1282 (Major Richard Star Act), expands benefits for certain military retirees by allowing them to receive both veterans' disability compensation and military retirement pay simultaneously. It specifically affects combat-related disabled retirees under Chapter 61 of the military retirement system who have fewer than 20 years of service. The key change removes the automatic reduction of military retirement pay when these retirees also receive disability compensation, as amended in Section 1413a(b)(3) of Title 10. Technical updates to the law’s structure and effective date (starting after enactment) complete the provisions.