Rep. Yvette D. Clarke

Maddy summaryHRES 824 is a ceremonial House resolution recognizing the religious and historical significance of Diwali, the festival of lights. It acknowledges Diwali’s meaning across Hindu, Sikh, and Jain traditions - symbolizing light over darkness, good over evil, and marking spiritual milestones like Guru Hargobind’s release and Lord Mahavira’s Nirvana. The resolution expresses respect for Indian-Americans and the global Indian diaspora, highlighting Diwali’s role in U.S. religious diversity. As a non-binding recognition, it does not create new laws, policies, or funding, but formally honors the cultural observance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to report detailed spending data on advertising contracts starting with the 2027 budget. Specifically, agencies must disclose total advertising expenditures and break down spending for contracts with women-owned, minority-owned, and socially/economically disadvantaged small businesses (as defined by law). The reporting applies to both past fiscal year spending and estimated future spending for each agency. This is a transparency measure focused solely on data collection, not on changing how contracts are awarded or funding levels.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the vital role of Spanish-language media in serving over 41 million U.S. residents who speak Spanish at home. It affirms that access to Spanish-language news and entertainment is essential for community engagement, combating misinformation, and supporting democratic participation. The House resolution specifically commends Spanish-language media professionals and encourages policies that sustain this media sector, which provides culturally relevant information on elections, health, and civic life. As a symbolic gesture (not a law), it has no direct policy changes but highlights the sector's importance to Latino communities and national inclusivity.

Maddy summaryHRES 792 is a symbolic resolution designating May 31, 2026, as "Youth Mental Health Day" and September 9 annually as "Youth Suicide Prevention Day." It calls for increased investments in youth mental health services and encourages state and local governments to adopt these observances while promoting community-based mental health initiatives. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise awareness about the youth mental health crisis, which disproportionately affects marginalized groups like LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and low-income young people. It references CDC and NIH data showing rising rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide among U.S. youth, particularly ages 10-34.

Maddy summaryHRES 797 is a non-binding resolution expressing concern about the rising number of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries. It cites PEN America data showing 6,870 book bans affecting 3,751 titles between July 2024 and June 2025, with books about race, LGBTQ+ experiences, and marginalized communities disproportionately targeted (e.g., *The Handmaid’s Tale*, *Maus*, *This Book Is Gay*). The resolution calls on schools to follow best practices for book challenges, protect students’ access to diverse materials, and return books removed from military schools under recent executive orders. It directly addresses students, educators, librarians, and authors impacted by censorship, emphasizing that such bans threaten free expression and democratic values.

Maddy summaryHR 5705 requires the federal government to reimburse state agencies for funds they use to maintain participation in the WIC program during a government shutdown. It directly affects states that cover WIC costs using their own money when federal funding lapses. The bill establishes a process where states can seek reimbursement from the federal government after the shutdown ends. This ensures states aren’t burdened with costs for a federal funding gap that impacts nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to help communities develop non-police mental health crisis response teams. It provides funding for local governments, clinics, fire departments, and nonprofits to recruit behavioral health professionals, establish co-response teams (combining mental health clinicians with emergency responders), and integrate these teams into 911 or 988 dispatch systems. The grants specifically support replacing police as the primary responders for mental health crises with clinician-led mobile teams or emergency medical services, while respecting existing state laws on detention. Recipients must report on response outcomes, diversion rates (cases handled without police), and community feedback.

Maddy summaryHR 5725, the Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2025, establishes a federal grant program to help state and local governments create health-centered alternatives for mental health emergencies. It provides $25 million annually (2027-2031) for jurisdictions to embed mental health professionals in 911 systems, develop direct routing to crisis hotlines like 988, and build partnerships between emergency services and dispatch centers. The bill specifically aims to reduce law enforcement involvement in behavioral health crises by creating streamlined pathways to crisis care, without requiring police removal or overriding state emergency authority laws. Jurisdictions receiving grants must report on response times, use of force, and diversion rates to health services.

Maddy summaryHR 5720, the Federal Worker Childcare Protection Act of 2025, would provide reimbursement to federal employees who face a pay gap during a government funding lapse (starting October 1, 2025) while paying for childcare. It directly affects federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay during such a lapse. Employees would receive reimbursement for childcare costs if they provide documentation, such as receipts from a childcare provider, to the General Services Administration. This reimbursement is subject to available congressional appropriations and does not guarantee payment.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Medicare coverage for multi-cancer early detection screening tests (blood or biological tests analyzing cell-free DNA) starting January 1, 2028. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries aged 68 and older (starting in 2028, with the age limit increasing by 1 year annually), requiring tests to be FDA-cleared and deemed reasonable/necessary by the Secretary for early cancer detection across multiple organ sites. Payment will initially match current stool DNA test rates before 2031, then shift to a lower rate or new payment system after 2031, with limits preventing more than one test per year. The bill explicitly states it does not alter coverage for existing cancer screenings like breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer tests.