Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Maddy summaryHR 7775, the PFAS-Free Procurement Act of 2024, prohibits U.S. executive agencies from entering new contracts for specific items containing harmful PFOS or PFOA chemicals starting October 1, 2025. It directly affects federal agencies purchasing nonstick cookware, cooking utensils, and furniture, carpets, or rugs with stain-resistant coatings. The bill requires agencies to prioritize buying these items without PFOS/PFOA when available and practical. This law aims to reduce government use of persistent chemicals linked to health and environmental concerns through concrete procurement rules.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1086) is a symbolic gesture expressing the House's support for designating March 19, 2024, as "National Agriculture Day." It does not create new laws or policies, but instead formally recognizes agriculture as a vital industry in the U.S. economy. The resolution celebrates agriculture's broad economic impact without imposing any requirements or changes on farmers, consumers, or government programs. It is a commemorative statement, not a substantive legislative action.

Maddy summaryHR 7704, the "Think DIFFERENTLY About Ending Learning Loss Act," directs the U.S. Secretary of Education to study how pandemic-era education policies affected students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in public K-12 schools. The study must analyze academic performance, functional progress, and access to special education services from 2018-2024, using metrics like standardized test results, IEP service hours, and progress reports. It requires a final report to Congress within 30 days of study completion, focusing on comparing pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic conditions for these students. The bill does not enact new policies or allocate funds, only mandating data collection and reporting.

Maddy summaryThe FISH Wellness Act requires fishing vessel operators and crews to receive safety training addressing mental health, substance use disorders, and fatigue risks. It increases annual funding for health services from $3 million to $6 million (for 2024-2025) to support programs addressing behavioral and physical health risks in the commercial fishing industry. Grants will be awarded competitively by the Department of Health and Human Services, with criteria developed alongside the Coast Guard. The bill updates vessel safety standards to integrate health training into operational requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes the 65th anniversary of the March 10, 1959, Tibetan uprising and condemns the Chinese government's human rights violations related to a hydropower dam project in Derge, Tibet. The resolution specifically highlights that the dam would displace approximately 2,000 Tibetans and destroy six historical monasteries with religious artifacts, including 13th-century murals. It also condemns the February 2024 detention of over 1,000 Tibetans who protested the dam project. The resolution calls on the Biden administration to demand China halt the dam construction, release detained protesters, and respect Tibetan cultural rights and development input as required by U.S. law.

Maddy summaryHR 7577, the CHEERS Act, creates a new tax deduction for restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues by expanding eligibility under the energy efficiency tax code (Section 179D). It defines "qualified energy-efficient draft property" as stainless steel or aluminum containers and tap equipment used for alcohol distribution in these businesses, treating them as eligible for the existing energy efficiency tax deduction. This change applies to equipment placed in service after the bill's enactment date, directly benefiting hospitality businesses that own or lease such equipment. The provision modifies existing tax code language without creating new tax rates or altering other regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 7578, the Promote Secure Connectivity to Taiwan Act, requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to submit a report within one year of enactment assessing technologies to improve security and resilience of Taiwan's communications networks. The report must cover available security technologies, submarine cable lifespans, security of US-Taiwan communications links, and potential engagement with "trusted" entities (defined as those not deemed security risks under existing law). The bill mandates no mandatory data collection from entities and specifies the report must be unclassified, though it may include a classified annex. This is a procedural assessment bill with no direct policy changes or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 7307, the Health Care Workforce Innovation Act of 2024, establishes a new federal grant program to expand training for allied health professionals - such as medical assistants, community health workers, pharmacy technicians, and dental hygienists - in underserved communities and rural areas. Eligible applicants include Federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics, which can use grants (up to $2.5 million per award for at least 3 years) to develop community-driven training partnerships with schools, vocational programs, and healthcare facilities. Funds support specific activities like apprenticeships, culturally competent training, and building career pathways for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, while prohibiting construction costs or replacing existing workforce funding. The program authorizes $100 million annually from 2025-2029 to address healthcare workforce shortages in areas lacking access to care.

Maddy summaryHRES 1017, the "BRIDGE to Congress Resolution," removes a rule requiring committee chairs to personally approve remote witness appearances at House committee hearings. It amends House Resolution 5 (2023) by deleting the phrase "at the discretion of the chair of the committee" from Section 3(j)(1). This change means witnesses can testify remotely without needing the committee chair's prior permission. The bill directly affects committee witnesses seeking to appear remotely and committee chairs who previously held this approval authority. The resolution makes remote testimony a standard option rather than requiring individual chair consent.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 7372, creates two main components: border control measures and defense appropriations. The border provisions authorize the temporary expulsion of certain inadmissible aliens arriving at the US-Mexico border for one year, with specific rules for where they can be sent and protections against expulsion to countries where they'd face persecution or torture. The defense section appropriates over $34 billion for military personnel, operations, and equipment to support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, including specific funding for defense systems like Iron Dome. It includes reporting requirements for how these funds are used and sets a one-year expiration for all provisions.