Rep. Susan Wild

Maddy summaryThe HELPER Act of 2023 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and K-12 teachers. It allows eligible first-time homebuyers in these professions to secure mortgages with 100% financing (no down payment required) for purchasing or repairing a primary residence. To qualify, applicants must be employed as law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, or K-12 teachers, have completed housing counseling, and meet specific employment history requirements (e.g., 4 years in the role or disability-related release). The program authorizes $660,000 for fiscal year 2024 and $160,000 annually through 2030, with authority expiring after 5 years.

Maddy summaryHRES 376 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' view that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) must maintain door-to-door delivery for all residential and business customers. It cites concerns that ending this service would disproportionately affect elderly and disabled individuals who rely on secure, convenient mail access for essential items like medications. The resolution notes that voluntary shifts to centralized pickup in 2013 affected only 0.8% of businesses, highlighting dependence on in-person delivery for security and revenue. It urges USPS to avoid reducing door delivery or requiring customers to pay for it.

Maddy summaryHR 2757, the Puerto Rico Status Act, establishes a process for Puerto Rico to determine its political status through a plebiscite on November 2, 2025, offering three options: independence, sovereignty in free association with the United States, or statehood. If no option receives a majority in the initial vote, a runoff plebiscite would be held on March 8, 2026. The bill outlines transition processes for each option, including constitutional conventions, implementation steps, and provisions for citizenship, immigration, and economic benefits. It mandates bilingual voter education materials and requires oversight by the Elections Commission and the Attorney General to ensure fair representation of all options. This legislation directly affects Puerto Rico's residents by providing a structured process to choose their permanent political relationship with the United States.

Maddy summaryHRES 369 is a non-binding resolution urging Thailand’s government to uphold democratic norms ahead of its May 2023 general elections. It specifically calls for protecting freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression, releasing over 1,800 activists (including children) charged for protests, and dropping a restrictive Draft Act on nonprofit organizations. The resolution also demands reform of laws used to censor speech (like lese majeste and sedition laws) and an end to spyware targeting activists. It states that continued rights violations would prevent the U.S. from recognizing the election as free and fair, and warns military or royal interference would jeopardize U.S. aid and cooperation. This resolution reflects congressional concern over Thailand’s democratic backsliding since the 2014 coup.

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 3121, the Journalist Protection Act, makes it a federal crime to intentionally assault journalists during newsgathering activities. It defines "journalist" broadly to include employees, contractors, or agents of news organizations (like newspapers, websites, TV, or radio) who regularly gather news about public interest matters. The bill criminalizes causing bodily injury to a journalist with knowledge of their status (up to 3 years in prison) or serious bodily injury (up to 6 years in prison), whether during newsgathering or to intimidate reporting. This directly affects journalists across all media platforms and those who assault them, creating specific federal penalties for attacks targeting news-gathering.

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 summaryThis bill creates federal grants for school districts to provide emergency opioid overdose treatment (like naloxone) in public and private elementary and secondary schools. It requires schools to have trained staff (such as nurses or designated personnel), maintain accessible supplies of the medication, and confirm their state has liability protections for staff using it during an emergency. The law directly affects K-12 schools by mandating specific emergency protocols for opioid overdoses. It does not change state laws but requires schools to verify existing state protections before receiving funds.

Maddy summaryHR 2965, the Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2023, establishes a federal pilot program to provide free or low-cost evidence-based skills training for family caregivers of children (ages 0-9) with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays. It authorizes $10 million annually to fund grants for eligible organizations (like nonprofits, health centers, and community groups) to teach caregivers practical strategies for communication, social engagement, daily living skills, and managing challenging behaviors. The program requires local stakeholder committees - including caregivers, healthcare providers, and community representatives - to ensure cultural relevance, and mandates annual evaluations to assess impacts on children's well-being and caregiver support.

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.