Rep. Dwight Evans

Maddy summaryHRES 966 is a symbolic resolution condemning alleged sexual violence committed by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. It specifically references eyewitness accounts, forensic evidence, and Hamas fighters' admissions of ordering gang rape, sexual mutilation, and assault against Israeli civilians. The resolution calls for international condemnation of such acts as weapons of war, urges nations to criminalize sexual violence, and supports investigations into Hamas' actions. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals but formally expresses the House's position on the issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing law to shift administrative responsibility for funding river basin commissions from the Secretary of the Army to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It specifically updates provisions related to the Susquehanna, Delaware, and Potomac River Basin Commissions, changing references from "Secretary" to "Administrator" in funding-related sections. The bill does not create new funding but clarifies that the EPA Administrator (or their designee) will oversee existing funding mechanisms for these commissions. It directly affects the operations of the three river basin commissions by changing their primary federal point of contact for funding administration.

Maddy summaryThe VICTIM Act of 2024 establishes a federal grant program to help state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies improve clearance rates for homicides and firearm-related violent crimes. Agencies can apply for funding to hire and train investigators, develop evidence-based policies (like trauma-informed interviews and community engagement), acquire forensic technology, and provide victim support services. Grant recipients must submit annual reports on activities, clearance rates, and fund use, with audits to prevent misuse of funds. The bill authorizes $60 million annually from 2024 to 2029, including 5% reserved for tribal law enforcement agencies.

Maddy summaryHR 7272, the Shining a Spotlight on Safer Communities Act, requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to Congress starting in 2024, detailing how the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act's provisions (specifically sections 932 and 933 of title 18) are being implemented. These reports must include data on investigations, prosecutions, demographic information of defendants, and seized firearms or assets related to gun trafficking and straw purchasing. The bill mandates these reports for fiscal years 2024 through 2027, with a funding limit of $2 million annually for this reporting. It is a procedural bill focused solely on transparency and accountability for existing gun safety measures, not creating new policies.

Ensuring Diverse Leadership Act of 2024 This bill requires that, when appointing a president, a Federal Reserve Bank must interview at least one individual reflective of gender diversity and one reflective of racial or ethnic diversity. The bill amends numerous banking-, finance-, and trade-related acts to make references to officials (including those to the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) gender-neutral.

Maddy summaryHR 7252, the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2024, increases the maximum credit amounts for child and dependent care expenses to $8,000 for one child and $16,000 for two or more children. It adjusts income thresholds so the credit begins phasing out at $125,000 of adjusted gross income and slows the phaseout rate above $400,000. The bill also makes the credit refundable for eligible taxpayers (allowing refunds even if no tax is owed) and adds automatic annual inflation adjustments to the credit limits starting in 2025. These changes directly affect families paying for childcare or dependent care to work or seek employment.

Maddy summaryHR 7220 establishes an EB-5 Regional Center Program Advisory Committee within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The 35-member committee, composed of representatives from EB-5 regional centers (with geographic and project-type diversity), local governments, economic development officials, and trade associations, advises USCIS on program improvements like job creation, investment structuring, and processing efficiency. It cannot make case-specific decisions but must submit annual reports and recommendations to USCIS, with public meetings and quarterly subcommittee work focused on administration, economic impact, and policy. The committee terminates once all pending EB-5 applications are resolved.

Maddy summaryThe Credit for Caring Act of 2024 creates a new federal tax credit for family caregivers. It allows eligible caregivers to claim a credit equal to 30% of qualified caregiving expenses (like home modifications, medical supplies, or respite care) exceeding $2,000 per year, capped at $5,000 annually. To qualify, caregivers must earn over $7,500 in income and provide care for a relative (like a spouse or parent) certified by a healthcare provider as needing long-term care for at least 180 days. The credit phases out for higher earners, with a $75,000 income threshold for single filers and $150,000 for joint returns.

Maddy summaryHR 7127, the FAIR Act, establishes pay adjustments for federal employees in 2025. It increases base pay by 4% for most federal workers under statutory pay systems and for "prevailing rate" employees (like those in specific geographic areas), while raising locality pay rates by 3.4%. The bill directly affects all federal employees receiving pay under these systems, as it modifies their 2025 salary calculations. These changes are based on statutory formulas under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, with no new policy mechanisms beyond the specified percentage increases. The adjustments apply to pay rates in effect as of the end of fiscal year 2024.

Maddy summaryHR 7108, the Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2024, authorizes federal grants to help high-need public schools hire and retain mental health staff. It targets schools that meet specific criteria: being in the top 15% of need (based on student poverty or other metrics) and failing to meet minimum staffing ratios for counselors, psychologists, or social workers. Grants fund recruitment (through salary stipends or loan repayment), retention (via professional development or incentives), and evidence-based mental health services, with grantees required to contribute 25% matching funds and report annually on provider numbers, demographics, and student-to-provider ratios. The program runs through 2029 and requires all services to comply with privacy laws like FERPA.