Rep. Matt Cartwright

Maddy summaryThe Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2023 helps survivors of miners who died from black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) qualify for benefits by creating rebuttable presumptions: if a miner worked at least 10 years in coal mining or was totally disabled by the disease at the time of death, the government must prove the death wasn’t caused by the disease. It restores older rules allowing survivors to claim benefits if the miner was disabled by black lung disease before death. The bill also establishes a program to cover up to $4,500 in attorneys’ fees and $3,000 in medical expenses for contested claims taking over a year to resolve, paid from the Black Lung Benefits fund and later reimbursed by the mining operator. These changes directly affect surviving family members of miners who died from black lung disease and simplify the process for securing benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 6654, the Farewell to Foam Act of 2023, bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene foam food containers, packaging peanuts ("loose fill"), and coolers starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects food service providers (like restaurants and schools), manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who sell these foam products. The bill prohibits selling these items, with enforcement starting with a written warning for first violations, followed by escalating civil penalties ($250 for a second violation, up to $1,000 for fourth+ violations), while exempting small businesses with low annual revenue from repeated penalties within a 7-day period.

Maddy summaryThe BOP Direct-Hire Authority Act (HR 6628) allows the Bureau of Prisons to hire qualified candidates for positions that would normally require competitive hiring without following standard federal hiring procedures, such as public announcements or competitive exams. This directly affects the Bureau of Prisons' ability to fill vacancies at its facilities more quickly. The authority expires once 96% of competitive service positions across all Bureau of Prisons facilities are filled. The bill changes the hiring process for existing positions but does not alter the total number of positions available.

Maddy summaryHRES 793 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Hamas to immediately release all 199 hostages taken during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution condemns Hamas for the attack, the taking of hostages, and threats against hostages, while stating that holding hostages violates international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions. It demands the immediate release of all hostages and expresses sympathy for victims and their families. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create legal obligations but formally expresses the House's position.

Maddy summaryThe UNLEADED Act requires the FAA to create an education program about unleaded aviation gasoline for pilots, flight schools, airport operators, maintenance technicians, and fixed-base operators. The program must publish online information on fuel compatibility, availability, required certifications, safety, and federal incentives, plus maintain a real-time tracking system for authorized unleaded fuels. The FAA must also coordinate annual training for fixed-base operator staff on fuel handling and safety. The program runs until December 31, 2030, with annual updates provided to Congress on progress. This directly affects general aviation users transitioning from leaded 100LL fuel to new unleaded alternatives.

Maddy summaryHR 6422, the Locality Pay Equity Act of 2023, limits the federal government to defining only one local wage area per pay locality (with an exception for the "Rest of United States" area). This affects federal employees paid under the General Schedule system in geographic locations with multiple wage areas. The bill requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to define just one wage area per locality, simplifying how local pay rates are determined. It also includes a safeguard ensuring current employees’ pay rates won’t decrease due to this change. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 3601, the Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act, expands eligibility for a Veterans Affairs work-study allowance to veterans enrolled at least half-time in rehabilitation, education, or training programs - lowering the previous requirement from three-quarter-time. The bill establishes a five-year pilot program to test this change, requiring the VA to apply the same allowance rules to these veterans as to other participants, except for the enrollment threshold. It also mandates annual reports to Congress tracking participation numbers, four-year degree completion rates, and full-time VA employment outcomes for participants. The policy directly affects veterans seeking education benefits while balancing academic and personal responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThe TREES Act of 2023 establishes a federal grant program to fund tree planting projects that reduce residential energy use. It provides 90% federal funding (up to $50 million annually) for projects in neighborhoods with high energy burdens, low tree canopy, or vulnerable populations like seniors and low-income households. Eligible applicants - including state/local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and power companies - must demonstrate how planting specific tree species will cut cooling and heating costs through shade and wind protection. The program aims to plant at least 300,000 trees yearly, prioritizing projects that maximize energy savings for households spending a high percentage of income on energy bills.

Maddy summaryHR 6327, the Youth Financial Learning Act, provides federal grants to state education agencies to integrate financial literacy education into public elementary and secondary schools. States use these funds to develop curricula covering topics like budgeting, credit, and student loans, and to award subgrants to local schools, prioritizing high-need areas. States must contribute 25% of the grant amount from non-federal sources and ensure programs sustain beyond the grant period. The bill directly affects public K-12 schools, requiring them to embed financial literacy into classroom learning and partner with community organizations for after-school programs. It authorizes funding for fiscal years 2024 through 2027.

Maddy summaryHR 5883, the "Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act," increases death gratuity payments for federal employees who die while performing their duties. The bill establishes a $100,000 base payment (adjusted annually for inflation) to be paid to designated beneficiaries, spouses, children, or parents in a specific order of precedence. It also raises funeral expense payments from $800 to $8,800, with annual inflation adjustments, and ensures death gratuity payments are not taxable. The bill applies to various federal employees including those in the Foreign Service, Transportation Security Administration, and Veterans Health Administration.