Rep. Matt Cartwright

Maddy summaryHR 1540 creates a new assistance program to make National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premiums more affordable for low-income households and small entities. It provides graduated discounts so eligible policyholders pay no more than 1% of their area median income for flood insurance on primary residences or related personal property. The program, funded by $250 million annually, targets households earning ≤120% of local median income, small businesses (≤100 employees), and nonprofits meeting hardship criteria. FEMA must also implement monthly premium payment options by 180 days after enactment. This directly affects NFIP policyholders in flood-prone areas facing high insurance costs relative to their income.

Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023 This bill increases the number of employment-based immigration visas available. The total number of additional visas made available under this bill shall be based on a formula relating to certain types of visas issued from FY1992-FY2021. These visas shall be available in FY2024 and in subsequent fiscal years until they are used. Furthermore, the yearly cap on the number of employment-based immigration visas that are made available to a single country shall not apply to the visas made available under this bill. (Generally, individuals from a single country may only receive up to 7% of such visas made available in a fiscal year.)

Maddy summaryThe Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 17) strengthens equal pay protections by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. It prohibits pay discrimination based on sex, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The bill modifies employer defenses for pay differences to require demonstration that any disparity is job-related, consistent with business necessity, and accounts for the entire pay differential. It also prohibits employers from relying on wage history when making hiring decisions or setting pay, enhances penalties for violations, and requires the EEOC to collect compensation data disaggregated by sex, race, and national origin.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 22 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the persistent gender pay gap in the U.S., documenting that women earn significantly less than men across racial groups (e.g., Black women earn 67 cents for every dollar earned by White men). It highlights the economic impact of this disparity, noting women lose over $958 billion annually in wages and face barriers like occupational segregation and workplace harassment. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the issue and reaffirms Congress’s commitment to addressing the gap. It references specific Equal Pay Days (e.g., March 14 for all women) to underscore the time women must work to earn what men did the previous year.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the use of 529 college savings accounts to cover career training and credentialing costs. It allows funds to pay for tuition, fees, books, and testing expenses related to recognized postsecondary credential programs (like vocational certifications) that meet specific standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The change directly affects workers seeking industry-recognized credentials - such as nursing certifications or IT certifications - instead of traditional degrees. It treats these expenses the same as traditional college costs for 529 account withdrawals, making it easier to save for career-focused training. The provision applies to expenses paid after the bill's enactment date.

This resolution supports the designation of National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and (2) celebrates the 90th anniversary of the iconic FFA jacket.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires airlines to train flight crews and maintenance staff on identifying and responding to cabin smoke/fume incidents, implement a standardized reporting system for such events, and install real-time air quality monitors to detect dangerous contaminants like carbon monoxide. It directly affects airline crews, maintenance technicians, and passengers by mandating new safety protocols and equipment on commercial flights. Key provisions include annual training on fume sources and health impacts, detailed incident reports covering flight details and symptoms, and public databases of reported events (with personal information redacted). The law also mandates aircraft manufacturers to include monitoring procedures in flight manuals and requires the FAA to investigate incidents involving health symptoms. These changes aim to improve cabin air safety through better detection, reporting, and response systems.

Maddy summaryThe LEO Fair Retirement Act of 2023 would allow federal law enforcement officers to include unpaid overtime hours toward their retirement benefits. Currently, these officers work significant overtime that isn't compensated due to pay caps, meaning they don't receive full credit for those hours in retirement calculations. The bill would amend retirement systems to include this unpaid overtime in retirement calculations, but officers would need to make a lump-sum payment to cover the difference between what they would have contributed to retirement if paid for the overtime versus what they actually contributed. This applies to specific federal law enforcement roles including criminal investigators, federal air marshals, special agents in the Diplomatic Security Service, probation officers, and pretrial services officers. The changes would take effect one year after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 1322 expands federal retirement benefits to include specific non-traditional law enforcement roles. It adds IRS employees focused on tax collection, U.S. Postal Inspection Service staff, Department of Veterans Affairs police officers, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized property specialists to the definition of "law enforcement officer" under federal retirement systems. Current employees in these newly covered positions must elect to pay deposits for past service to receive full retirement credit, while their agencies must contribute additional funds for that past service. The bill also temporarily prevents mandatory separation for current law enforcement officers for three years after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 1321, the "More Homes on the Market Act," increases the tax exclusion for gains from selling a primary residence. It doubles the exclusion amount from $250,000 to $500,000 for single filers and from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for married couples filing jointly. The bill also adds automatic annual inflation adjustments to these amounts starting in 2023, ensuring the exclusion keeps pace with rising costs. This change directly affects homeowners who sell their primary residence and meet the ownership and use requirements under current tax law. The policy modifies the Internal Revenue Code to make selling a home less financially burdensome for qualifying homeowners.