Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Maddy summaryHR 8236, the Pre-K for Kids Act of 2024, creates a federal grant program to expand access to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs for 3- and 4-year-olds from low-income families (at or below 250% of the federal poverty line). The bill provides competitive grants to state education agencies, which then award subgrants to local school districts to fund pre-K programs through partnerships with service providers and private investors. Key provisions require programs to maintain a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio, focus on early literacy and math skills, engage families, and demonstrate a positive long-term fiscal impact on local governments (e.g., increased tax revenue or reduced future costs). The law mandates independent evaluations of program outcomes and requires private investors to recoup their funding only if programs meet specific educational and fiscal goals within a 10-year period. This directly affects low-income families seeking early childhood education and local governments aiming to reduce future educational costs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1157) is a symbolic gesture recognizing the work of linemen. It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it formally expresses the House's support for designating April 18, 2024, as "National Lineman Appreciation Day." The resolution highlights linemen's critical role in maintaining power infrastructure, their work as first responders during emergencies, and their safety risks. It directly affects no individuals or entities through policy changes - it solely offers ceremonial recognition of linemen's contributions to public safety.

Maddy summaryHR 8061, the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024, ensures stable funding for the Crime Victims Fund by directing certain False Claims Act collections into it from 2024 through 2029. Specifically, it adds a provision requiring that amounts collected under the False Claims Act (excluding whistleblower rewards and government reimbursement for damages) be deposited into the fund during this period. This directly affects crime victims who rely on the fund for services like counseling and emergency aid, as it prevents potential shortfalls in funding. The bill makes a concrete policy change by redirecting specific federal civil penalties into the fund, rather than altering the fund's existing purposes or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHR 5530, the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act, prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from lowering payment rates for specialized transportation used by veterans and eligible individuals (like ambulances or wheelchair vans) without strict requirements. It mandates that any rate change that could reduce access to care must first undergo a detailed review analyzing economic impacts on the VA and transportation industry, and ensure the new rate covers actual costs. The VA must also develop a formal process for rate changes and consult with industry experts, veterans' groups, and healthcare agencies before implementing such changes. This bill directly affects veterans relying on specialized transportation for medical care, particularly those in rural or underserved communities, by safeguarding their access to necessary emergency transport services.

Maddy summaryHRES 1148 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that condemns the Iranian government for supporting terrorism, regional proxy conflicts, and internal suppression of dissent - including its crackdown on protests following Mahsa Amini's death in 2022. It specifically calls for maintaining sanctions against Iran, supporting the Iranian Resistance's Ten-Point Plan (which advocates for a democratic, secular, nonnuclear Iran), and protecting Iranian political refugees in Albania. The resolution also affirms the Iranian people's right to self-determination under international law and urges the U.S. to recognize their struggle for freedom. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional stance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal tax credit for family child care providers who operate from their primary residence and hold state licenses. It allows qualifying providers to claim up to $5,000 in startup costs per year, including licensing fees, supplies, insurance, safety equipment, furniture, and required home renovations. The credit applies only once per provider (no repeat claims) and expires after 7 years. It directly benefits small-scale, licensed family child care providers serving at least two non-family children, aiming to reduce their initial business setup costs.

Maddy summaryHR 7944, the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act, exempts public water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and related entities from liability under federal environmental law for PFAS releases, provided they follow all applicable laws during water treatment and disposal. The bill protects these "protected entities" from lawsuits seeking cleanup costs or damages related to PFAS, as long as their actions were consistent with current regulations during water management. However, entities remain liable if they acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in handling PFAS.

Maddy summaryThe TERRA Act (Tribal Environmental Resiliency Resources Act) allows Indian Tribes to integrate funding from multiple Federal environmental and disaster-related programs into a single comprehensive plan to address threats like flooding, erosion, wildfires, and sea level rise. It streamlines processes by reducing administrative burdens through consolidated reporting requirements, enabling Tribes to create one annual report instead of multiple reports for individual programs, and allowing reallocation of funds for community-driven relocation or environmental remediation without additional approvals. The Act establishes the Department of the Interior as the lead agency with sole authority to approve these plans and integrate Federal programs, while providing mechanisms for Tribes to request waivers of certain statutory requirements and expedite land trust acquisitions for relocation purposes. Tribes can use integrated funds for infrastructure development, environmental remediation, and community-driven relocation, with reduced requirements for separate recordkeeping and reporting for each Federal program.

Maddy summaryHR 7825, the Shrinkflation Prevention Act of 2024, would ban manufacturers from reducing product sizes (like smaller cereal boxes or thinner soap bars) without lowering the price proportionally or clearly disclosing the change. It directly affects consumer goods manufacturers by requiring the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create regulations prohibiting this practice within 18 months of the bill becoming law. The bill treats shrinkflation as an unfair or deceptive act under existing FTC law, allowing the FTC and state attorneys general to enforce the ban through fines, injunctions, or restitution for affected consumers. This focuses on making product size changes transparent and preventing companies from profiting from misleading downsizing without altering the price.

Maddy summaryHR 7504, the Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act, expands a VA transportation grant program to specifically assist rural veterans and tribal organizations. The bill modifies eligibility by adding "rural or highly rural" to program criteria, allows tribal organizations to apply for grants, and sets a maximum grant amount of $60,000 (up to $80,000 for ADA-compliant vehicles). It defines "rural" using USDA's RUCA system and "tribal organization" per the Indian Self-Determination Act, ensuring grants directly support transportation access for veterans in remote areas and tribal communities.