Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon

Maddy summaryHRES 439 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for keeping the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) as an independent federal agency, not subject to privatization. It highlights USPS's constitutional role, self-sustaining nature (relying on service revenue, not taxpayer funds), and its importance to rural communities, e-commerce, and over 600,000 employees. The resolution urges Congress to take action to preserve USPS's independence, emphasizing that privatization could raise prices, reduce services, and harm the nation's mail infrastructure. As a procedural resolution, it does not change law but formally states the House's position.

Maddy summaryHRES 349 is a symbolic resolution recognizing May as National Foster Care Month. It does not create new laws or change existing policies; instead, it encourages Congress to implement policies improving outcomes for children in foster care. The resolution highlights challenges like prolonged foster care stays, educational instability, and aging-out youth, while urging support for prevention services, family reunification, and permanent placements. It reaffirms existing federal programs under the Social Security Act but has no binding effect on legislative action.

Maddy summaryHR 3610, the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, repeals specific sections (4067-4070) of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 from U.S. law. This bill removes the legal authority allowing the president to detain or deport non-citizens during wartime based on that historical statute. The repeal directly affects the federal legal framework governing emergency powers over non-citizens, eliminating a provision dating to the Quasi-War with France. The bill makes no new policy changes but formally removes this outdated legal mechanism from the U.S. Code.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits corporal punishment (such as spanking or paddling) in all schools receiving federal funding, directly affecting students, school personnel, and school administrators. It requires schools to notify parents within 24 hours if corporal punishment occurs and establishes enforcement through civil lawsuits by students/parents, Attorney General actions, and Office for Civil Rights oversight. The bill mandates states to submit school climate reports and develop training programs on positive behavioral interventions to reduce exclusionary discipline practices that disproportionately affect students of color, students with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. It creates a grant program to help schools implement these approaches, with priority given to schools with high suspension rates and disciplinary actions. The bill does not apply to private schools or home schools that don't receive federal funding.

Maddy summaryThe AIR PUMP Act requires airlines to provide nursing crew members (like flight attendants and pilots) with reasonable break time to express breast milk for up to one year after their child's birth, as well as a private, non-bathroom space for this purpose. It specifically excludes breaks during critical flight phases and ensures accommodations won't compromise safety, security, or require significant costs (e.g., aircraft modifications). The bill includes anti-retaliation protections for employees who request accommodations or file complaints, and enforces these requirements through the Department of Labor using existing Fair Labor Standards Act mechanisms. This directly affects airline employees who are nursing parents and their employers, aligning airline workplace policies with federal breastfeeding protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill would designate approximately 1.7 million acres of public land in Utah's Colorado Plateau and Great Basin regions as wilderness areas, protecting them from development while preserving traditional uses by Indigenous communities. It establishes specific wilderness areas across Utah's red rock canyons, including the Great Basin Wilderness Areas, Grand Staircase-Escalante Wilderness Areas, and others, with detailed acreage for each designated zone. The bill includes administrative provisions for managing these areas, such as maintaining existing livestock grazing rights, setting road setbacks to protect wilderness character, and reserving water rights for the wilderness areas. This legislation directly affects how the Bureau of Land Management administers public lands in Utah and defines the boundaries for public use of these designated wilderness areas.

Maddy summaryThe EVs for All Act of 2023 establishes a Department of Energy grant program to fund electric vehicle (EV) sharing services at public housing projects. Eligible entities - like public housing agencies, local governments, and partner nonprofits - can apply for grants to purchase used EVs, install charging equipment, and run community outreach. Grants prioritize projects in historically marginalized communities with high pollution or limited transportation access, require fair labor practices, and mandate affordable, non-discriminatory charging fees. The program requires grantees to report on usage, emissions reductions, and service costs while ensuring EVs meet domestic content and worker protection standards.

Maddy summaryHR 3502, the Responsible Firearms Marketing Act, directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and regulate deceptive advertising practices related to firearms. The FTC must study marketing that targets minors, implies illegal use, or promotes semiautomatic assault weapons, then report findings to Congress within two years. If the FTC identifies unfair practices, it must issue enforceable regulations within 18 months of the report to prohibit such marketing by firearm manufacturers, dealers, and importers. The law aims to stop deceptive advertising through FTC enforcement under existing consumer protection rules, directly affecting the firearms industry.

Maddy summaryHR 3548, the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act, aims to reduce mental health disparities for racial and ethnic minority groups by directing federal funding and policy changes. It increases annual grants for primary/behavioral health services to $60 million in 2023 and $80 million yearly through 2029, prioritizing entities serving minority communities. The bill requires the NIH to study mental health disparities within 9 months and mandates new training for mental health professionals (including social work and psychiatry) on culturally appropriate care. Additionally, it funds a $15 million annual outreach strategy to combat stigma and improve access to care, requiring materials tailored to cultural and language needs of minority groups.

Maddy summaryHR 3523, the Perinatal Workforce Act, provides $15 million annually from 2024 to 2028 to expand and diversify maternity care providers. It directs HHS to issue guidance for states on recruiting diverse providers (including midwives, nurses, and community health workers) and requires grant recipients to prioritize students from racial/ethnic minority groups, implement bias training, and target health professional shortage areas. The bill also mandates annual reporting on workforce diversity and outcomes, and requires a GAO report assessing barriers to equitable access in maternal healthcare. This legislation directly affects hospitals, nursing schools, midwifery programs, and insurers by funding targeted workforce development to address racial disparities in maternal care.