Rep. Dwight Evans

Maddy summaryHR 9104, the Access to Birth Control Act, requires pharmacies that normally stock contraception to provide birth control or related medications without delay if in stock, or immediately offer alternatives like referrals to other pharmacies or expedited orders if unavailable. It prohibits pharmacists from intimidating customers, misrepresenting availability, breaching confidentiality, or refusing to fill valid prescriptions for birth control. Pharmacies violating these rules face civil penalties up to $1,000 per day or private lawsuits. The law specifically applies to pharmacies that routinely carry contraception and excludes cases where a valid prescription is missing or payment cannot be made. It aims to address documented refusals to dispense birth control, particularly following the Dobbs decision.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HRES 1369) honoring Corey Comperatore, a volunteer firefighter, U.S. Army Reserves veteran, and community leader from Sarver, Pennsylvania, who died on July 13, 2024. The resolution formally mourns his passing and celebrates his life, noting he left behind his wife, Helen, and two daughters, Allyson and Kaylee. It recognizes his service to the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department, his military service, and his role as a devoted member of Cabot Methodist Church. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on legislation or constituents beyond this formal acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThe Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act creates a 20% tax credit for converting non-residential buildings into affordable housing. To qualify, buildings must be at least 20 years old and nonresidential, with conversion costs exceeding 50% of the building's adjusted basis or $100,000. The converted housing must be rent-restricted for 30 years for residents earning 80% or less of area median income (60% in certain designated areas), with a $12 billion national credit limit. Special provisions apply for economically distressed areas and rural historic preservation projects, primarily affecting developers who convert vacant commercial buildings in downtown or main street areas into affordable housing.

Maddy summaryHRES 1355 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors lineworkers who maintain electrical infrastructure under hazardous conditions, including during disasters, and commemorates Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died on July 10, 1896, while troubleshooting an electrical outage. The resolution encourages public recognition of these workers' contributions but does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHR 8825, the Right to Vote Act, establishes a fundamental right for all citizens of legal voting age to vote in federal elections. It directly affects voters across all states and territories by prohibiting government actions that make voting harder (like restrictive ID laws or reduced polling places) unless those actions are the least restrictive way to serve a significant government interest. The bill creates two legal standards: "retrogression" (diminishing voting access) and "substantial impairment" (making voting significantly harder), allowing voters to sue in federal court to challenge such restrictions. Courts must expedite these cases, and the law applies to all federal elections occurring on or after September 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 118 is a symbolic congressional resolution recognizing the wage disparity faced by Black women in the U.S. It specifically highlights that Black women earn 69 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men, as noted in Census Bureau data. The resolution marks July 9, 2024, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to symbolize how long into 2024 Black women must work to earn what White men earned in 2023. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges this disparity and reaffirms congressional support for equal pay for equal work.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 521 Thorn Street in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, as the "Mary Elizabeth 'Bettie' Cole Post Office Building." It updates all official references in federal documents, maps, and records to use this new name, with no changes to postal services or operations. The bill is purely procedural and honors Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" Cole through a naming convention.

Maddy summaryHR 8933 requires large public companies (with over 100 employees or $300 million+ in capital) to conduct racial equity audits every two years. These audits must assess company policies on diversity and disclose any historical ties to or profits from slavery, with findings reported publicly. Companies failing to comply face daily fines ($20,000/day), with 50% of fines funding Treasury's minority programs and 50% supporting HUD housing initiatives for low-income minority communities. The bill mandates transparency on historical inequities while directing penalties toward targeted community investments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2365, Public Law 118-66) directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Parkinson’s Project. It requires HHS to create and update a coordinated national plan for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and researching Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (including multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), while coordinating federal research and care efforts across agencies like the NIH, CDC, and VA. The law mandates annual progress assessments, an advisory council with patient advocates and diverse experts, and annual reports to Congress on federal Parkinson’s programs and recommendations for improvement. It affects federal agencies managing Parkinson’s-related programs and aims to improve care coordination and research efficiency for patients and caregivers, with the law sunsetting in 2035.

Maddy summaryHRES 1332 is a symbolic resolution recognizing June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It encourages the celebration of Pride Month to honor the historical struggles and achievements of LGBTQIA+ people in the United States, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face. This resolution does not create new laws or policies, but serves as a formal recognition of LGBTQIA+ rights as human rights and highlights their integral role in American history. The resolution was introduced by multiple members of Congress and passed by the House of Representatives.