Rep. Gerald E. Connolly

Maddy summaryThe LEO Fair Retirement Act of 2025 allows federal law enforcement officers to include unpaid overtime hours in their retirement benefit calculations. Currently, pay caps prevent officers from being compensated for all overtime worked, meaning they miss out on retirement credit for those hours. To qualify, officers must make a lump-sum payment (or choose a reduced monthly annuity) to cover the retirement contributions they would have made if paid, based on their actual overtime hours. This applies to officers covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), and the bill also provides a tax credit for the lump-sum payment.

Maddy summaryHR 3243, the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025, bans the provision of paid conversion therapy aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, and prohibits advertising such therapy as effective, safe, or without risk. It directly affects LGBTQ+ individuals and their families who might be targeted by these practices, as professionals have determined conversion therapy is ineffective and harmful. The law treats violations as deceptive acts under consumer protection laws, empowering the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to enforce it through civil actions. It explicitly excludes legitimate gender transition support and non-discriminatory counseling from the ban.

Maddy summaryThe Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act expands federal retirement benefits to include specific non-traditional law enforcement roles, such as IRS tax collection officers, U.S. Postal Inspection Service employees, Department of Veterans Affairs police, and certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized property specialists. It directly affects current and future federal workers in these positions who were previously excluded from law enforcement retirement benefits under the Federal Employees Retirement System and Civil Service Retirement System. The bill allows current employees (incumbents) to elect to count prior service toward retirement by paying a deposit covering the difference in retirement contributions, with government contributions made over 10 years. It also temporarily exempts law enforcement officers from mandatory separation for three years after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 3246, "Violet’s Law," amends the Animal Welfare Act to require federal research facilities to create plans for placing eligible animals (dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, or rabbits) no longer needed for research. It directs federal departments and agencies operating such facilities to develop standards within one year of enactment to facilitate adoption or placement with qualified organizations like animal rescue groups, sanctuaries, or shelters. Animals must be certified by a licensed veterinarian as free of infectious disease or physical issues endangering health before release. This applies directly to all U.S. federal agencies conducting animal research, mandating concrete steps to transition animals out of research settings into permanent care.

Maddy summaryHRES 386 is a non-binding House resolution condemning President Donald J. Trump's specific actions targeting press freedom, including accusing media outlets without evidence, excluding the Associated Press from White House access, suing CBS News, and seeking to defund public broadcasters like NPR and PBS. It reaffirms the critical role of a free press in democracy and urges the executive branch to respect journalists' rights, while calling for the release of 11 U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) journalists imprisoned abroad. The resolution directly affects journalists, media organizations, and the executive branch by formally criticizing actions that threaten press independence. It does not create new laws but serves as a formal congressional statement of support for press freedom.

Maddy summaryHRES 392 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing support for designating May as "National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or programs but formally urges the public, research groups, and affected individuals to promote awareness and early detection of bladder cancer during May. The resolution cites statistics showing over 84,000 new bladder cancer diagnoses and 17,420 deaths expected in the U.S. in 2025, emphasizing that early detection improves survival rates. It specifically highlights the disease's impact on veterans, firefighters, and women (who often face later diagnoses), and references ongoing efforts like the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network's work. The resolution calls for community observances and increased focus on research, but has no direct effect on policy or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the TAIPEI Act to clarify that UN Resolution 2758 does not address Taiwan's representation in international organizations or Taiwan's sovereignty. It directs U.S. officials in international bodies to actively resist China's efforts to distort policies affecting Taiwan's participation and to advocate for Taiwan's meaningful engagement. The bill also requires the U.S. government to report on China's attempts to undermine Taiwan's international partnerships and observer status. These provisions aim to strengthen Taiwan's ability to participate in global organizations without altering its political status.

Maddy summaryThe MEGOBARI Act (HR 36) is a U.S. legislative proposal that aims to strengthen Georgia's democratic development and Euro-Atlantic integration. It directs the U.S. Secretary of State to suspend the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until Georgia meets specific democratic standards, including respecting citizens' democratic wishes and advancing EU/NATO membership. The bill establishes potential sanctions against Georgian officials who block Euro-Atlantic integration or undermine Georgia's sovereignty, requiring the President to determine if officials have engaged in significant corruption or actions against Georgia's territorial integrity. Additionally, it mandates reports on Russian intelligence assets in Georgia and a 5-year U.S. strategy for bilateral relations, with the Act set to sunset after 5 years from enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 3199, the Captive Primate Safety Act of 2025, bans the import, export, sale, breeding, and possession of certain nonhuman primates (including chimpanzees, gorillas, and lemurs) in interstate or foreign commerce. It directly affects pet owners, breeders, zoos, and wildlife facilities that currently handle these primates. The bill allows limited exceptions for existing owners who register their primates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 180 days, agree to stop breeding/selling, and prevent public contact. It amends the Lacey Act to implement these restrictions, with enforcement beginning immediately regardless of regulatory timelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands OSHA safety protections to cover public employees, including teachers, police, and sanitation workers, who were previously excluded from federal workplace safety regulations. It directly affects state and local government workers by amending the Occupational Safety and Health Act to explicitly include "the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State" under OSHA coverage. The key mechanism is a technical amendment to the law’s definition of covered employees, ensuring public service workers fall under the same safety standards as private-sector employees. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment for most workplaces, with a 36-month delay for state/local governments without existing OSHA plans.