Rep. Marcy Kaptur

Maddy summaryThe American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 would create two pathways to permanent residency for certain immigrants. The "Dream Act" portion would provide conditional permanent resident status to individuals who entered the U.S. as children, have lived continuously in the U.S. since January 1, 2021, and meet educational requirements (such as completing high school, earning a degree, or enrolling in education programs). The "American Promise Act" portion would provide permanent residency to individuals eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) as of specific dates (January 1, 2017, or January 20, 2021). The bill includes provisions for background checks, fee exemptions for low-income applicants, and processes for removing conditional status after meeting specific criteria like completing higher education or earning income.

Maddy summaryThe CARE Act of 2023 strengthens protections for child farmworkers by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. It raises minimum age requirements (restricting 14-15 year olds to family farms outside school hours, and limiting 16-17 year olds to family farm work outside school hours), repeals a waiver allowing children in hand-harvest labor, and increases penalties for violations (up to $60,115 for serious injury or death). The bill requires employers to report work-related injuries or deaths of child farmworkers under 18 and mandates annual reports to Congress on child farmworker safety data. It also prohibits children under 18 from working as pesticide handlers, directly affecting an estimated 100,000+ child farmworkers in the U.S.

Ukrainian Adjustment Act of 2023 This bill provides a streamlined process for certain Ukrainian nationals (including accompanying spouse and children) who are living in the United States to receive lawful permanent resident status. Specifically, the bill permits Ukrainian nationals who have been paroled into the United States after February 20, 2014, to apply for and receive lawful permanent resident status. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may waive grounds for inadmissibility (excluding certain crimes or security related grounds) for individuals who apply for status adjustment. DHS must establish vetting requirements (including an interview) for applicants that are equivalent to those under the United States Refugee Admissions Program. The bill also preserves eligibility for the status adjustment of certain battered spouses whose eligibility for such status stemmed from a marriage that has terminated. Finally, the bill requires DHS to issue guidance to implement these requirements and establishes a deadline for eligible individuals to apply for adjustment.

Bob von Schwedler Permanent Health Coverage Tax Credit Expansion Act This bill permanently reauthorizes and expands the Health Coverage Tax Credit. As previously enacted, the Health Coverage Tax Credit covered 72.5% of health insurance costs for certain Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) recipients, alternative TAA recipients, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation pension recipients. The credit expired in December 2021. The bill permanently reauthorizes the credit and expands the credit to cover 80% of health insurance costs.

Maddy summaryThe American Family Act establishes a monthly child tax credit of $250 per month for each child under age 6 and $300 per month for each child aged 6-18, with income limits of $150,000 for joint filers and $112,500 for other filers. The credit is refundable, meaning it can be paid even if the taxpayer owes no income tax, and will be adjusted annually for inflation. The bill includes detailed rules for determining eligibility, including requirements that the child resides with the taxpayer for more than half the month and provisions to prevent fraud through recapture of improperly received payments. The credit will be paid monthly in advance rather than as a single annual payment, with specific mechanisms for calculating and distributing the payments.

Maddy summaryHR 698, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2023, prohibits the sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of specific firearms and ammunition devices commonly referred to as "assault weapons" and "large capacity magazines" in interstate commerce. The bill defines "semiautomatic assault weapons" to include rifles like AR-15s and AK-47s, as well as firearms with specific features such as folding stocks, pistol grips, threaded barrels, and detachable magazines holding more than 15 rounds. It exempts law enforcement, military, antique firearms, and weapons already lawfully owned before the law's enactment (known as "grandfathered" weapons). The bill also requires new identification markings on these weapons and large capacity magazines, and adds background check requirements for transfers of grandfathered weapons.

Maddy summaryH.Res. 460 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for Congress to enact the Older Americans Bill of Rights. This resolution does not create new laws but calls for a proposed bill that would establish specific rights for older Americans, including access to affordable health care, financial security, and community participation. It highlights challenges like high prescription drug costs, retirement insecurity, and barriers to care, urging Congress to address these through legislative action. The resolution directly affects older Americans (ages 65+) and their families by advocating for policy changes to ensure dignity and independence.

Maddy summaryThe Barriers to Suicide Act of 2023 establishes a federal grant program to fund evidence-based suicide deterrents on bridges. The Transportation Secretary will award competitive grants to states or local governments for installing proven safety measures like nets or barriers, prioritizing areas with high suicide rates, with federal funding covering up to 80% of project costs. The bill also mandates a study by the Comptroller General to assess effective deterrents for non-bridge structures (e.g., buildings) and report findings within one year. It authorizes $10 million annually for 2024-2028 to support these initiatives. The law directly affects bridge safety planning for state and local agencies seeking federal assistance.

Maddy summaryHR 3769, the Gang Activity Reporting Act of 2023, requires the Attorney General, Homeland Security Secretary, and FBI Director to submit annual reports to Congress on gang activity. The reports must include specific data on gang membership trends, crime methods used by gangs (including cooperation between gangs), how state/local reporting affects federal data, agency initiatives and resource allocation for gang enforcement, and statistics on gang-related arrests, weapons seizures, and drug seizures. These reports are due 150 days after enactment and annually thereafter, with the first report covering the prior decade. The bill directly affects federal law enforcement agencies (DOJ, DHS, FBI) by mandating new data collection and reporting requirements, but does not change existing laws or create new enforcement powers.

Maddy summaryHRES 434 is a non-binding resolution declaring a mental health crisis among U.S. youth, citing statistics like 49.5% of adolescents experiencing mental health disorders and a 30% rise in emergency visits for youth during the pandemic. It urges states and schools to improve educator training, expand on-campus mental health resources, remove harmful practices (such as risk assessment teams disproportionately affecting students of color), and address barriers for undocumented and low-income students. The resolution also emphasizes combating stigma, integrating mental and physical health care, and reaching high-risk communities with better resources. As a declaration - not a law - it expresses congressional support for historic federal investments in youth mental health care but does not create new policy.