Rep. Suzan K. DelBene

Maddy summaryHRES 1355 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors lineworkers who maintain electrical infrastructure under hazardous conditions, including during disasters, and commemorates Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died on July 10, 1896, while troubleshooting an electrical outage. The resolution encourages public recognition of these workers' contributions but does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 118 is a symbolic congressional resolution recognizing the wage disparity faced by Black women in the U.S. It specifically highlights that Black women earn 69 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men, as noted in Census Bureau data. The resolution marks July 9, 2024, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to symbolize how long into 2024 Black women must work to earn what White men earned in 2023. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges this disparity and reaffirms congressional support for equal pay for equal work.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2365, Public Law 118-66) directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Parkinson’s Project. It requires HHS to create and update a coordinated national plan for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and researching Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (including multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), while coordinating federal research and care efforts across agencies like the NIH, CDC, and VA. The law mandates annual progress assessments, an advisory council with patient advocates and diverse experts, and annual reports to Congress on federal Parkinson’s programs and recommendations for improvement. It affects federal agencies managing Parkinson’s-related programs and aims to improve care coordination and research efficiency for patients and caregivers, with the law sunsetting in 2035.

Maddy summaryHRES 1332 is a symbolic resolution recognizing June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It encourages the celebration of Pride Month to honor the historical struggles and achievements of LGBTQIA+ people in the United States, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face. This resolution does not create new laws or policies, but serves as a formal recognition of LGBTQIA+ rights as human rights and highlights their integral role in American history. The resolution was introduced by multiple members of Congress and passed by the House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill simplifies tax administration by changing key IRS filing rules. It establishes that electronic submissions (like tax returns or payments) are considered delivered on the date sent, not when the IRS receives them, starting in 2025. It also extends deadlines for S-corporation tax elections, allowing late filings if the IRS finds "reasonable cause," and moves individual estimated tax payment deadlines from June/September to July/October for tax years beginning after 2024. These changes directly affect individual taxpayers and small businesses managing their tax filings.

Maddy summaryHR 8843, the American Music Tourism Act of 2024, amends the Visit America Act to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to identify and promote U.S. locations and events significant to music tourism for both domestic and international travelers. It requires the Assistant Secretary to specifically promote travel to music-related attractions (like museums, studios, and venues) and music festivals/concerts. The bill also defines "music tourism" as traveling to visit music sites or attend live music events. Finally, it mandates an annual report to Congress on progress toward these tourism goals, starting one year after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal framework for "extreme risk protection orders" (ERPOs) that temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a risk of harming themselves or others. Family members or law enforcement officers can petition a federal court for a temporary order (up to 14 days) based on probable cause, followed by a hearing within 72 hours to determine if a longer-term order (up to 180 days) is warranted. The bill requires clear and convincing evidence of risk at the hearing and mandates respondents to surrender firearms to law enforcement within 48 hours. It also includes provisions for reporting, training law enforcement on ERPOs, and a federal grant program to support state ERPO implementation, without preempting state laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1318) is a symbolic congressional recognition designating the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington, as the "National Museum of Pop Culture." It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or alter the museum's operations - it solely affirms the institution's role in preserving pop culture history through its collections and scholarship. The resolution cites the museum's work in documenting pop culture's impact on society, including its holdings on hip-hop, science fiction, Jimi Hendrix, and Star Trek. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct effect on individuals, policies, or government programs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution, introduced around World Refugee Day, expresses congressional support for U.S. efforts to protect refugees and displaced persons globally and within the United States. It highlights that over 117 million people are displaced worldwide, references the U.S. resettling 60,000 refugees in fiscal year 2024, and calls on federal agencies to maintain the Refugee Admissions Program, uphold asylum protections, and support host countries. The resolution does not create new laws but reaffirms existing commitments to refugee resettlement, safety, and integration through current programs.

Maddy summaryThe Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024 would double Federal Pell Grants, increasing the maximum award to $10,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year with annual inflation adjustments, and make Pell Grants a fully mandatory program rather than requiring annual appropriations. It would expand eligibility for students with negative student aid indexes (those with the lowest expected family contributions), provide Pell Grant eligibility for "Dreamer" students protected under DACA, and restore eligibility for students who previously lost it due to academic progress issues. The bill would also increase the total semesters of Pell Grant eligibility from 12 to 18. These changes would directly affect millions of undergraduate students, particularly students of color who currently rely on Pell Grants, with 3 in 5 African American students and half of Latino students depending on these grants. The bill would take effect for the 2025-2026 academic year.