Rep. Suzanne Bonamici

Maddy summaryHRES 594 is a resolution recognizing the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA) nutrition program for its role in addressing hunger, malnutrition, and social isolation among seniors. The program provides meals, social interaction, and health checks to older adults (60+), particularly benefiting homebound individuals and those with chronic conditions. The resolution encourages Congress members to support local OAA programs by volunteering and advocating for sustained federal funding to meet growing demand. It emphasizes the program's proven cost-effectiveness in reducing Medicare/Medicaid costs through preventive health outcomes.

Mercury 13 Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate the Mercury 13 in recognition of their accomplishments as part of the First Lady Astronaut Trainees (FLATs) Program (a privately funded project testing women pilots for astronaut fitness in the 1960s), their work for gender equity, and their example of women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to fund specific construction and renovation projects at 7 locations for fiscal year 2023, totaling $3.716 billion. It directly affects veterans by enabling new or upgraded healthcare facilities in Alameda, CA; Canandaigua, NY; El Paso, TX; Fort Harrison, MT; Livermore, CA; Louisville, KY; and Portland, OR. Key provisions include building community clinics, health centers, and national cemeteries, as well as seismic upgrades and facility expansions, each with specified maximum funding caps. The bill does not change veterans' benefits or eligibility but focuses solely on authorizing physical infrastructure improvements at designated VA sites.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 56 is a non-binding congressional resolution recognizing that climate change disproportionately harms children's health, economic opportunities, and rights. It expresses Congress's view that U.S. leadership is urgently needed to address the climate crisis and calls for a national climate recovery plan. The resolution specifically demands a science-based plan to phase out fossil fuels, protect natural carbon sinks, and reduce atmospheric CO2 to below 350 parts per million by 2100. This resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally states congressional support for a comprehensive climate strategy prioritizing children's well-being.

Maddy summaryHRES 584 is a symbolic House resolution expressing support for designating July as "Plastic Pollution Action Month." It does not create new laws or regulations but aims to raise public awareness about plastic pollution by encouraging all individuals in the United States to participate in reducing plastic use and waste. The resolution cites alarming statistics on plastic production, low recycling rates, and environmental harm to justify the designation. It specifically urges Americans to take action through reusable alternatives and cleanup efforts during July. As a non-binding resolution, it directly affects no specific group but seeks to promote voluntary behavior change.

Maddy summaryHRES 580 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House's support for designating "Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day." It honors lineworkers who work in hazardous conditions (such as at heights near live wires) and respond to disasters like hurricanes and wildfires, while recognizing their contributions and the legacy of Henry Miller, an early electrical worker who died on the job. The resolution has no legal effect - it solely encourages public recognition and reflection on these workers' service.

Maddy summaryJaime’s Law requires federal background checks for ammunition purchases by expanding existing firearm background check rules to include ammunition. It mandates that unlicensed buyers must transfer ammunition through a licensed dealer (e.g., a gun store), who conducts the background check before completing the sale. The law includes exemptions for transfers between family members, law enforcement, transfers due to death, immediate self-defense situations, and legitimate shooting or hunting activities (with specific conditions). It explicitly states the law does not create a national ammunition registry and does not override state laws on ammunition.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act would ban the federal government from imposing or carrying out the death penalty for any violation of federal law after the bill's enactment. It would require federal courts to resentence all individuals currently under a federal death sentence to a non-death penalty. This bill directly affects federal criminal defendants and inmates on federal death row, but does not impact state-level death penalty cases. The law would take effect immediately upon passage, ending federal death penalty sentencing for future cases and changing current death row sentences.

Maddy summaryThe National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act (HR 4584) establishes a coordinated federal program to reduce losses of life and property from wildland fires through improved research, data sharing, and community resilience efforts. It creates an Interagency Committee with representatives from 16+ federal agencies to oversee research on fire behavior, climate impacts, and fire-resistant building techniques, while developing tools for better prediction and mitigation. The program authorizes specific funding levels over five years for participating agencies to support interdisciplinary research, data systems, and community education initiatives, directly affecting communities at risk of wildland fires (particularly at the wildland-urban interface) and federal agencies involved in fire response. The bill requires an annual strategic plan, progress reports, and coordination with stakeholders to translate research into practical fire risk reduction strategies.

Child Care Investment Act of 2023 This bill increases the employer-provided child care tax credit, the amount excludable from gross income for dependent care flexible spending accounts, and makes the household and dependent care tax credit refundable. Among other provisions, the bill increases the rate of the employer-provided child care tax credit from 25% to 50% and increases the maximum credit amount from $150,000 to $500,000. It also increases (1) the pre-tax deduction for dependent care flexible spending accounts from $5,000 to $10,000, plus an additional $2,000 for each eligible dependent; and (2) the rate of the household and dependent care tax credit and makes such credit refundable.