Rep. Madeleine Dean

This resolution condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the international covenants on human rights. Further, it calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned or detained Baha'is, and it urges the President and the Department of State to impose sanctions on Iranian officials and others who are responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran's Baha'i community.

VA Work-Study Improvement Act This bill updates the Department of Veterans Affairs work-study program, including by increasing the number of hours an individual may work, modifying the minimum wage requirements, and implementing an electronic timesheet.

Maddy summaryHRES 1497 is a House resolution introduced by Rep. Lawrence and colleagues on November 29, 2022, that formally recognizes the Women In Military Service For America Memorial (Military Women’s Memorial) for its 25 years of service. The resolution highlights the memorial’s role as America’s only national memorial dedicated to documenting the service of 3 million women in U.S. military history, including preserving 304,000 service records, maintaining a world-class archive of 8,000+ artifacts, and providing educational resources to millions. It emphasizes the memorial’s work as a research hub, oral history repository (1,400+ accounts), and gathering place for veterans and ceremonies. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect but formally honors the memorial’s contributions to preserving and sharing women’s military history.

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 East Main Street in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, as the "Harold Billow Post Office Building."

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 415 High Street in Freeport, Pennsylvania, as the "Corporal Joseph Rodney Chapman Post Office."

Lymphedema Treatment Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of lymphedema compression treatment items. Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of standard and custom fitted gradient compression garments and other approved items that are prescribed by a physician or other specified health care professional to treat lymphedema.

Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More Act of 2021 or the RECLAIM Act of 2021 This bill revises requirements concerning the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, including by expanding the eligible uses of the fund. Specifically, the bill allows the fund to be used to provide support for economic revitalization, diversification, and development in economically distressed mining communities through the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by abandoned coal mines. In addition, it requires specified amounts to be annually distributed from the fund through FY2026 to states and Indian tribes for reclaiming and restoring lands and waters so affected.

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2021 This bill reauthorizes the Department of the Interior to collect fees on the production of coal through FY2036, expands the eligible uses of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, and revises requirements concerning the fund. Under current law, operators of active coal mines must pay such fees through FY2021. Revenue from the fees are deposited into the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, which is used for the reclamation of abandoned coal mines. The bill authorizes Interior to reimburse states and tribal governments from the fund for the emergency restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of adverse effects of coal mining practices. It also increases the minimum amount of funds from $3 million to $5 million that Interior must award to states and Indian tribes that have approved abandoned mine reclamation programs.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution designates the week of November 13-19, 2022, as "National Caregiving Youth Week" to raise awareness about children and adolescents under 18 who provide regular care for family members with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or aging needs. It directly recognizes this underserved population - estimated at 3-5 million nationwide - who often balance caregiving with school, mental health, and limited access to support services. The resolution encourages educators, health professionals, and policymakers to learn about these youth’s contributions and challenges, but it does not create new programs or funding. As a symbolic gesture, it aims to foster national recognition without implementing concrete policy changes.

Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2022 or the PAST Act of 2022 This bill addresses the practice of soring horses. The soring of horses includes various actions taken on horses' limbs to produce higher gaits that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness. Specifically, the bill expands soring regulation and enforcement at horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions, including by establishing a new system for inspecting horses for soring. In addition, the bill increases penalties for violations.