Rep. Suzanne Bonamici

Maddy summaryThis bill would require the federal government to cover 100% of state agencies' costs for SNAP program staff salaries, hiring, and training. It sets minimum wage standards for SNAP workers at the same rate as federal employees, with annual updates tied to federal pay increases. States must submit detailed wage plans for federal approval. The policy aims to improve staffing stability and retention for SNAP operations.

Maddy summaryHR 3507, the "Yes In My Backyard Act," requires local governments receiving certain federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to report on their progress toward adopting specific housing-friendly land use policies. It directly affects cities and counties that administer CDBG funds by mandating they submit plans tracking 22+ policy changes, such as allowing duplexes in single-family zones, reducing parking requirements, or streamlining permits. The bill does not require local governments to adopt these policies but requires them to document their current status and plans for implementation. This reporting mechanism aims to identify barriers to affordable housing without binding local governments to specific actions. The requirement applies to CDBG recipients starting one year after the bill's enactment.

This resolution supports the designation of National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of globally conscious leaders who will change the world; and (2) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Give the Gift of Blue program, which has donated more than 17,000 FFA blue jackets to FFA members in need.

Maddy summaryThe Equal Pay for Equal Work Act establishes a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to strengthen enforcement of existing equal pay laws. The task force, made up of representatives from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, and Office of Personnel Management, will coordinate efforts to investigate pay disparities and develop solutions. It will create action plans to address enforcement gaps and improve public education about pay equity. This bill directly affects federal agencies and workers facing wage discrimination by enhancing how equal pay laws are enforced across government.

Maddy summaryThe SCOPE Act directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop standardized guidance for reporting scope 3 emissions - indirect emissions from a company’s supply chain and product use - within 12 months of enactment. It requires the EPA to establish reporting thresholds, calculation methods, monitoring frequency, data quality standards, and recordkeeping procedures for facilities already subject to EPA greenhouse gas reporting rules (like major industrial plants). The guidance will help direct emitters (facilities currently reporting under EPA regulations) understand how to measure and report these indirect emissions. This bill does not mandate reporting but creates a framework for future EPA rules on scope 3 emissions.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding House resolution expresses the House's support for keeping guns out of schools by stating federal funds should not be used to arm school personnel or provide them firearm training. It references existing laws like the STOP School Violence Act (2018) and research showing arming staff does not improve safety, citing data on failed interventions and disproportionate impacts on students of color. The resolution affirms current policy guidance without creating new legal requirements. It serves as a formal statement of the House's position based on evidence and existing legislative frameworks.

Maddy summaryHR 9238, the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, establishes a $1 billion Marine Energy Acceleration Fund to advance marine energy projects. It allocates $600 million for 20+ demonstration projects connecting to microgrids, community grids, or utility-scale grids, prioritizing projects supporting rural, Tribal, and disadvantaged communities, energy resilience, and environmental monitoring. Additional funding includes $230 million for research and development, $50 million for site assessments, $15 million for streamlining permitting processes across federal agencies, and $85 million for workforce development programs focused on communities near project sites. The bill directly affects marine energy developers, coastal communities, and federal agencies like the Department of Energy and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

Maddy summaryThe NO BAN Act (HR 9244) prohibits U.S. immigration authorities from denying visas or entry based on national origin, religion, or sex. It amends immigration law to explicitly ban such discrimination in visa decisions and tightens restrictions on the president’s power to suspend entry of certain groups under Section 212(f). The bill requires specific evidence, narrow tailoring, time limits, and congressional notification for any entry restriction, while mandating public reports on visa denials and waivers. It directly affects nonimmigrant visa applicants (e.g., students, workers) and federal agencies administering immigration policy.

Maddy summaryThe Sustaining America's Fisheries for the Future Act of 2024 aims to improve the long-term health of U.S. fisheries by addressing climate change impacts, supporting fishing communities, and modernizing management practices. The bill requires federal agencies to incorporate climate science into fishery management decisions and mandates regular vulnerability assessments of fish stocks to environmental changes. It establishes new grant programs to help coastal communities preserve working waterfronts and improve data collection systems through electronic monitoring technologies. The legislation also strengthens transparency by requiring more detailed reporting on fishery management council activities and expanding tribal representation on regional councils. Additionally, the bill creates a standardized national program to track and reduce bycatch across all fisheries while updating international fisheries management agreements.

Maddy summaryHR 9196, the Pregnancy Empowerment Act of 2024, prohibits states from delaying or denying divorce petitions solely because a person is pregnant. This directly affects pregnant individuals - particularly women of color and those experiencing intimate partner violence - who face barriers to finalizing divorces during pregnancy, trapping them in abusive relationships. The bill mandates that states cannot consider pregnancy status when processing divorce filings, addressing findings that such delays increase risks of violence and reproductive coercion. It aims to remove legal obstacles that prevent pregnant people from accessing divorce, a critical step for safety and autonomy.