Rep. Suzanne Bonamici

This concurrent resolution opposes actions that undermine Israel's future as a Jewish, democratic state. The resolution expresses that democracy is at the core of the special relationship between the United States and Israel, and that Congress stands with all Israelis seeking to defend liberal democracy, judicial review, and independent political institutions.

Maddy summaryHR 4987, the Democracy Restoration Act of 2023, would restore voting rights for people with felony convictions who are living in their communities (not incarcerated), directly affecting approximately 4.6 million disenfranchised Americans. The bill requires states to automatically restore voting rights upon completion of sentences, including probation or parole, without requiring payment of fines or fees. It mandates notification to individuals about their restored voting rights and prohibits states from conditioning voting rights on payment of legal financial obligations. The legislation addresses the disproportionate impact of voting restrictions on racial minorities, particularly Black and Latino communities, who face significantly higher rates of disenfranchisement. This bill would apply to all federal elections held on or after its enactment date.

Maddy summaryHR 4963, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act, would restore tax deductions for certain employee expenses. It creates an above-the-line deduction for union dues and expenses paid by wage-earning employees, and allows miscellaneous itemized deductions for other work-related expenses (like uniforms or supplies) that were previously disallowed after 2017 tax law changes. These provisions directly affect employees who pay union dues or incur qualifying job-related costs. The bill amends specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code to make these deductions available for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022. It does not change tax rates or provide new benefits, only reinstating previously eliminated deductions for eligible workers.

Maddy summaryThe Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2023 creates a $20 billion annual federal grant program to fund long-term improvements to public school facilities across the United States. It requires states to prioritize school districts serving high-poverty students (with high percentages of students eligible for free/reduced lunch) and those with deteriorating infrastructure, while mandating that recipient schools develop 10-year facilities master plans. The bill specifies that funds must be used for construction, renovation, and modernization projects that improve energy efficiency, address environmental health hazards (including lead, asbestos, and poor air quality), and ensure school safety, while requiring the use of American-made materials for construction projects.

Maddy summaryHR 4954, the Immigrants’ Mental Health Act of 2023, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to train agents to identify mental health risks in immigrants and refugees arriving at the border, using trauma-informed approaches and language assistance. It mandates that each CBP facility employ at least one bilingual mental health expert qualified in trauma-informed care, particularly for children and families, and authorizes $3 million annually for this staffing. The bill also prohibits sharing mental health information collected by Health and Human Services (HHS) with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for asylum, immigration, or deportation proceedings. These provisions directly affect immigrants/refugees in CBP custody, CBP personnel, and HHS/ICE staff handling mental health data. The law aims to improve mental health screening and privacy while addressing stress for CBP staff.

Maddy summaryThe Women's Retirement Protection Act (HR 5060) would require spousal consent for most distributions from defined contribution retirement plans (like 401(k)s), addressing a gap where women's retirement savings are often unprotected in divorce. It would mandate that financial service providers link to consumer education resources about retirement planning and establish grants to improve financial literacy among women and assist low-income women and domestic violence survivors with retirement benefits. These provisions aim to protect women's retirement savings, which are often lower than men's due to the gender pay gap and caregiving responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThe COTA Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to require workforce programs to provide career guidance for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs - including skilled trades - and to run public awareness campaigns about these programs. It adds two specific requirements: (1) helping students explore career paths in skilled trades and emerging fields, and (2) using social media and other outreach to promote career and technical education. These changes directly affect state and local workforce development programs that receive federal funding under the WIOA. The law mandates concrete policy shifts in how these programs guide job seekers and publicize opportunities, without altering funding or creating new federal mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new federal requirements for employers to prevent heat-related illness and injury among workers. It mandates that employers provide safe work environments by implementing specific measures, including access to cool water, scheduled rest breaks in shaded areas, employer-paid cooling equipment, and training for employees and supervisors on recognizing heat illness symptoms. The Secretary of Labor must create these standards within one year, requiring employers in high-heat occupations (like construction, agriculture, and outdoor labor) to adopt engineering controls, administrative schedules, and health protocols. Key provisions include ensuring hydration, rest, and language-accessible training, while preserving existing safety protections and allowing for updates as scientific evidence evolves.

Nonrestrictive Offshore Wind Act or the NOW Act This bill repeals certain requirements that the Department of the Interior must meet before issuing a lease for offshore wind development. Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Interior may not issue a lease unless (1) an offshore oil and gas lease sale has been held in the year prior to issuing the lease, and (2) Interior offers a specified minimum acreage for offshore lease sales in the previous year. The bill repeals those requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands employee ownership in S corporations by extending tax deferral for selling company stock to employee ownership plans (ESOPs), creating a Treasury Department office to provide education and technical assistance for ESOPs, and amending small business rules to maintain eligibility for government programs after ESOP ownership exceeds 49%. It establishes a new Labor Department "Advocate for Employee Ownership" to coordinate federal efforts, educate stakeholders, and recommend policy improvements. The bill directly affects S corporations using ESOPs, their employees who become owners, and small businesses that might lose government program access due to ESOP acquisitions. Key provisions include tax incentive extensions, new support offices, and updated small business classification rules.