Rep. Earl Blumenauer

Maddy summaryThe Words Matter Act of 2023 replaces the outdated term "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" across numerous federal laws and regulations. It amends over 20 provisions in the U.S. Code, Social Security Act, and other statutes - including healthcare, disability programs, and legal definitions - to update terminology used in areas like nursing home care, criminal justice, and federal grants. The bill explicitly states this is a purely linguistic change, not a policy shift, and does not alter eligibility, benefits, or program requirements for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It affects all federal programs and legal references that previously used the terms "mental retardation," "mentally retarded," or "developmentally disabled."

Maddy summaryHR 3106, the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, creates a legal right for individuals whose realistic digital manipulations of intimate images (such as uncovered genitals, bodily fluids, or sexually explicit conduct) are disclosed without consent. It allows victims to sue for civil damages, including up to $150,000 in liquidated damages, actual harm, or punitive penalties, and seek court orders to stop further disclosure. The bill specifically protects identifiable individuals (not just public figures) and covers images created or altered using digital manipulation, excluding cases involving law enforcement, public interest, or good-faith disclosures. Criminal penalties up to 10 years may apply for malicious disclosure with intent to harass or cause harm. This directly affects anyone whose intimate images are deepfaked without permission, providing new legal recourse against perpetrators.

Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act This bill limits U.S. assistance to Israel and establishes reporting requirements related to Israel's activities in the West Bank and its expenditures for offshore procurement. (Offshore procurement involves spending U.S. security assistance from the Foreign Military Financing program on Israeli-origin rather than U.S.-origin defense articles.) Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of any funds that are made available for assistance to Israel to support (1) military detention, interrogation, abuse, or ill treatment of Palestinian children; (2) seizure, appropriation, or destruction of Palestinian property and forcible transfer of civilians in the Israeli-controlled West Bank; or (3) certain activities to facilitate unilateral annexation by Israel of West Bank territory. The Department of State must report on the nature and extent of such activities carried out by Israel. Further, the Government Accountability Office must submit to Congress a report on related topics, such as (1) identifying specific programs and items to which funds for offshore procurement in Israel have been allocated, (2) identifying all end-use monitoring to which Israel is subject with respect to U.S.-origin defense articles, and (3) assessing the extent to which offshore procurement funds have supported illegal Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank.

Maddy summaryHR 3073 creates a federal grant program to fund community-based mental wellness and resilience initiatives. It provides planning grants (up to $250,000) for organizations to form community networks and assess needs, followed by program grants (up to $500,000 annually for 4 years) to implement evidence-based programs. The bill requires grantees to use a public health approach, collect community input, and develop strategic plans addressing protective factors and risk factors for mental wellness. At least 20% of funds must support rural communities, and programs must involve diverse community groups like schools, faith organizations, health professionals, and local government. The bill authorizes $36 million over 2024-2028 to support these community-led efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 3059, the Resilient Airports Act, updates federal definitions to improve funding for airport resilience after disasters. It specifically defines "critical airport infrastructure" as runways, taxiways, and aprons needed for commercial operations or general aviation airports designated as emergency staging areas (like Federal Incident Support Bases). The bill also expands "natural disaster" to explicitly include events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. These changes ensure airports can quickly resume operations under visual flight rules after disasters by clarifying which infrastructure qualifies for improvement funding. The bill directly affects airports, particularly smaller general aviation facilities used for emergency response coordination.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Banking Act of 2023 would protect banks and financial institutions that provide services to state-legal marijuana businesses and hemp-related businesses by preventing federal regulators from taking adverse actions against them solely for serving these businesses. It clarifies that income from state-legal marijuana businesses can be considered for mortgage applications, and requires regulators to update guidance on suspicious activity reports related to these businesses. The bill does not require financial institutions to serve these businesses, but ensures they won't face penalties for doing so. It extends similar protections to hemp-related businesses, which have faced banking challenges despite being federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

Original Fair Housing Resolution of 2023 This resolution expresses support for the goals and values of the 55th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and for efforts to strengthen housing protections.

Tax-Free Pell Grant Act This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any amount received as a federal Pell Grant. It also expands the definition of qualified tuition and related expenses under the American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning tax credit to include computer or peripheral equipment (up to a maximum of $1,000), child and dependent care expenses, and course materials.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects living organ donors from insurance discrimination by prohibiting life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, raising premiums, or altering policy terms solely because someone donated an organ while alive. It also updates the Family and Medical Leave Act to include recovery from organ donation surgery as a qualifying health condition, allowing donors to take protected leave for this purpose. Additionally, the bill requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to update public educational materials about living donation benefits, risks, and insurance protections within six months of enactment. These changes directly affect living organ donors, insurers, employers, and healthcare systems by ensuring fair access to insurance and workplace leave.

Maddy summaryHR 2955, the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, establishes a Federal Work Group to improve data collection and best practices for youth in residential programs (like therapeutic schools, treatment centers, and group homes). The Work Group, composed of federal agency representatives and diverse stakeholders, must develop national data standards, create risk assessment tools, and issue biennial reports with recommendations to enhance safety, reduce restraints, and expand community-based alternatives. It directly affects youth with mental health, substance use, or disability needs placed in these facilities, as well as agencies overseeing them. The bill also mandates a National Academies study to examine funding, oversight, and barriers to community care. These mechanisms aim to standardize data tracking and promote less restrictive, trauma-informed care for youth in residential programs.