Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

Maddy summaryThe Food Deserts Act creates a federal grant program to help establish grocery stores in underserved communities by funding state revolving funds. States receive capitalization grants (up to $150 million for FY2022) to provide low-interest loans to grocery stores that meet specific criteria, such as selling unprocessed, affordable healthy foods and matching 20% of the loan with non-federal funds. Priority is given to stores hiring local workers, offering nutrition education, sourcing from local farms, and having established supply chains. The program directly supports grocery store operators in areas with limited access to fresh food, aiming to improve community health outcomes through increased access to nutritious options.

Safe Charging Electrical Bikes and Scooters Act This bill establishes a program to provide grants for the installation of publicly accessible lithium-ion battery power charging stations for electric bicycles and scooters. Under the program, the Department of Transportation (DOT) may award grants to local governments for the acquisition or installation of safe lithium-ion battery power stations and storage for electric bicycles or scooters in public places. Public places include any public road or other publicly accessible location, such as parking facilities at public buildings and public parks or publicly accessible parking facilities owned or managed by private entities. DOT must also develop a publicly available educational program about the health and safety risks related to these types of lithium-ion batteries and how to buy, store, and charge the batteries. Further, DOT must conduct a study on the number of uncertified lithium-ion batteries for electric bicycles and scooters that are currently available in the U.S. market. DOT must report on the study and provide recommendations for legislative or regulatory action to ensure the availability of certified and affordable lithium-ion batteries in the U.S. market.

Maddy summaryThe TRACK Act of 2023 requires federal agencies (including HHS, NIH, Defense, and Veterans Affairs) to create a public database tracking all government funding for biomedical research and development. It compiles specific details about contracts, grants, licensing agreements, and tax benefits related to drug, device, and therapy development - including funding amounts, recipient organizations, product names/prices, and patent information. The database must be searchable by the public within one month of the bill’s enactment and updated every two weeks. This directly affects federal agencies managing biomedical funding and the private companies, institutions, and researchers receiving that support. The goal is to increase transparency about how taxpayer dollars fund medical product development.

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a painful condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus.

Maddy summaryHR 1619 requires schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to provide fluid milk substitutes (like soy or almond milk) upon request by a student or their parent/guardian. The bill removes the previous requirement that substitutions needed a medical authority's written statement for most dietary needs, instead allowing requests based on the student's or parent's request alone. It aligns the definition of acceptable substitutes with current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This change directly affects students with dietary restrictions, making it simpler for schools to accommodate their needs without extra medical documentation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new definition for "currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions" under the Controlled Substances Act, specifically for certain investigational drugs. It applies to drugs designated as breakthrough therapies by the FDA or authorized for expanded patient access under specific emergency protocols for serious diseases with no other treatment options. The definition excludes drugs that are already fully approved under standard FDA pathways or that lose their expanded access status. If a drug no longer meets these strict criteria, the Attorney General must reclassify it into the highest restriction category (Schedule I) within 90 days of notification from the Health Secretary. This changes how certain experimental treatments are classified under federal drug laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - female telephone operators who served in the Army Signal Corps during World War I. They provided critical battlefield communications in France (connecting 26 million calls), wore military uniforms, and faced combat risks, but were denied veteran benefits for 60 years due to being classified as civilian contractors. The medal recognizes their pioneering service, devotion, and the decades-long struggle to gain military recognition. The award follows similar recognition for other WWII women veterans and aims to correct the historical injustice they faced.

Maddy summaryHRES 219 is a symbolic resolution (not a binding bill) expressing the House’s support for inclusive public schools. It urges schools to adopt historically accurate, diverse educational materials that reflect the nation’s diversity, foster parent-educator partnerships, and eliminate discrimination based on race, disability, LGBTQ+ identity, or other factors. The resolution emphasizes creating safe, well-rounded learning environments that prepare all students for success while protecting students’ civil rights. It directly affects public school districts, educators, families, and students by encouraging practices that promote equity and inclusion.

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 summaryHR 1538 creates a new "emerging business enterprise" designation for very small, young businesses (under 5 years old, with fewer than 25 employees or under 10% of industry size standards, and managers earning no more than 200% of average manager salaries). It requires federal agencies to set annual goals for awarding 3% of contracts to these businesses, prioritizing them if goals aren't met. The bill also waives SBA loan fees for eligible businesses and mandates agencies to report their progress to the Small Business Administration and Congress annually. These provisions aim to increase federal contracting opportunities for early-stage small businesses through defined eligibility, agency targets, and financial incentives.