Rep. Marilyn Strickland

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for federal programs supporting small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. It raises the annual cap for highway program supportive services from $10 million to $25 million and adds $5 million per year for transit program training and assistance. It also creates a new $5 million annual aviation program to help disadvantaged-owned businesses compete for airport-related contracts. These changes directly affect small businesses seeking federal contracting opportunities in transportation infrastructure projects.

Accelerating Small Business Growth Act This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Transportation for states, local governments, tribes, and certain public transit authorities to assist small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals compete for federal contracts for infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $30 million annually (2024-2028) for the National Institutes of Health to expand research on uterine fibroids, including studies on racial disparities (noting Black women are 80% likely to develop fibroids by menopause versus 70% of White women). It also requires the creation of a Medicaid database to track treatment services for fibroids and mandates a congressional report on related costs and coverage. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop public education materials about fibroid symptoms, treatment options (including non-hysterectomy care), and racial prevalence differences. It directly affects women with fibroids - particularly those from racial minority groups - and aims to improve data collection and awareness around a condition causing significant health burdens and healthcare costs.

Maddy summaryThe DISCLOSE Act of 2023 would increase transparency in political spending by requiring organizations making campaign-related disbursements over $10,000 to disclose the names and addresses of their major donors, including the top five funders for political communications. It would close loopholes allowing foreign nationals to secretly fund election activities through corporations or other entities by expanding the definition of prohibited foreign contributions. The bill would mandate "stand by every ad" disclosure requirements for political communications across all media, including audio, video, and internet ads, requiring clear identification of funders. It would also require reporting of disbursements related to Federal judicial nominations, which currently aren't subject to disclosure requirements. These provisions would apply to corporations, labor organizations, and certain nonprofits that engage in political activity.

Maddy summaryThe IDEA Full Funding Act (HR 4519) mandates specific annual increases in federal funding for special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It requires Congress to appropriate increasing amounts each fiscal year - from $5.87 billion for 2024 up to $55.53 billion for 2033 - to reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for public schools by 2033. This directly affects all public school districts serving students with disabilities, as federal IDEA funding supports their special education services. The bill sets fixed dollar amounts or percentage targets (whichever is greater) for each fiscal year, aiming to gradually close the long-standing gap between promised and actual federal funding. It does not alter eligibility for services but mandates higher, phased funding levels to meet the 40% target.

Maddy summaryHR 4426 extends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) fund for 19 years (up from 2 years) and expands eligibility for compensation to individuals exposed to radiation from nuclear testing and uranium mining. The bill updates eligibility criteria for claims related to leukemia and other specified diseases, including adding chronic lymphocytic leukemia to the list of covered conditions. It creates new provisions for uranium mining workers, including combined work histories and allows the use of affidavits to substantiate claims. The bill also expands medical benefits eligibility and establishes a $3 million annual grant program to study the epidemiological impacts of uranium mining on non-occupationally exposed individuals, including family members of miners.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) rights are human rights and protected by the U.S. Constitution; (2) LGBTQIA+ Pride Month should be celebrated; and (3) all Americans should be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation, sex characteristics, or gender identity.

Maddy summaryHRES 561 is a non-binding House resolution opposing state laws that criminalize access to essential health care. It specifically condemns using criminal penalties against people for pregnancy outcomes (such as miscarriages), seeking abortion or contraception, or receiving gender-affirming care, and disapproves of punishing health care providers or supporters for facilitating such care. The resolution affirms that patients deserve access to reproductive and gender-affirming health services without fear of prosecution or discrimination. It emphasizes that criminalizing these health care decisions violates patient rights and ethical provider obligations, without creating new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits defendants in federal criminal cases from using a victim's LGBTQ+ identity (sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression) as a legal excuse for violence or to reduce sentences - a practice known as the "LGBTQ+ panic defense." It specifically bans arguments that a "nonviolent sexual advance or perception" of the victim's identity justified the crime, while allowing evidence of the defendant's past trauma under standard evidence rules. The law directly affects federal criminal trials where defendants attempt to justify violence against LGBTQ+ victims using prejudice-based excuses. It also requires the Attorney General to report annually on federal prosecutions involving bias-motivated crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals.

Maddy summaryThe MARCH for Military Servicemembers Act repeals a restriction that previously prohibited the use of Department of Defense (DoD) funds and facilities for abortion care. This change directly allows military healthcare providers to offer abortion services using DoD resources within military treatment facilities. It affects active-duty service members, veterans, and dependents receiving care through the military health system. The policy removes a longstanding barrier to accessing abortion care under the DoD’s healthcare framework.