Rep. Lateefah Simon

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study on how data centers impact communities of color and low-income communities, working with agencies like the EPA and the Council on Environmental Quality. The study will examine specific issues including water and energy consumption, air and soil quality, effects on property values and local tax revenue, and public health risks related to pollution and heat. The Secretary must consult with local governments and Indian Tribes during the study and submit a report to Congress within 18 months that includes a map of data center locations relative to affected communities, along with recommendations for mitigating potential harms.

Maddy summaryHRES 1106 is a non-binding House resolution honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a prominent civil rights leader and activist. The resolution recognizes his lifelong work in advancing equality through organizations like Operation PUSH, his leadership in the anti-apartheid movement, and his historic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988. It expresses condolences to his family and calls on all Americans to continue his legacy of promoting civil rights and unity. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online system allowing taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. The legislation prohibits the Treasury Department from entering into agreements that restrict its ability to provide tax preparation or filing services, and it voids any existing contracts with such restrictions. The program would use IRS data to simplify filing, include customer support, be available in multiple languages, and allow users to file even if they are not required to. It also enables taxpayers in participating states to file state and local returns alongside their federal returns, with funding provided to states that meet certain standards.

Maddy summaryThe DISCLOSE Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency in election spending and prevent foreign influence. It expands the ban on foreign money to cover federal, state, and local elections, including ballot initiatives and judicial nominations, and criminalizes using corporations to conceal these funds. The bill mandates that organizations spending over $10,000 on campaign-related activities, such as independent expenditures or judicial nomination advocacy, disclose their beneficial owners and top donors. Additionally, it establishes new "Stand By Every Ad" disclaimers for political communications, requiring the highest-ranking official to approve the message and, for certain ads, list their top funders. These provisions directly affect non-candidate organizations, individuals involved in political and judicial nomination spending, and foreign nationals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes and funds four federal grant programs to support passenger ferry services across the United States from 2027 through 2031. It authorizes funding for building and upgrading ferry boats and terminals, expanding urban ferry grants, creating a modernization program for ferry fleets and shipyards, and supporting essential ferry service in rural areas. The legislation allocates hundreds of millions of dollars in total funding, with specific amounts designated for each program and fiscal year, and requires that a significant portion of rural ferry funds go to services connecting multiple rural communities.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act reforms the Department of Defense's 1033 program, which transfers surplus military equipment to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The bill prohibits the transfer of specific military-grade items, including controlled firearms (like automatic weapons), ammunition, grenades, mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, and silencers. For any permitted transfers, non-federal agencies must notify their local community, get approval from their local governing body, and certify the equipment's necessity for specific public safety or emergency purposes. The bill also mandates increased accountability for all transferred property, prohibits agencies from taking ownership, and requires the return of equipment if an agency is involved in widespread civil liberties abuses using that property.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Parks to People Active Transportation Act, directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a competitive grant program for building and improving greenway paths that connect communities. Eligible organizations such as state and local governments, regional planning councils, and Indian Tribes can apply for funding to construct hard-surfaced walkways, bikeways, or shared-use paths that cross jurisdictional lines and link to public transit. The program prioritizes projects that reduce vehicle congestion, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and address disparities in access to jobs, schools, and recreational opportunities for low-income and minority communities. Grants may cover up to 80 percent of project costs, with higher funding levels available for rural areas and communities with high poverty rates, and the legislation authorizes $300 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to support these initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1088) is a non-binding House of Representatives measure recognizing the importance of Black history museums and cultural institutions. It formally acknowledges their role in preserving Black American history and contributions, particularly in relation to the 2026 100th anniversary of Black History Month and the U.S. 250th anniversary. The resolution urges the House to affirm that Black history is foundational to American history and calls for federal agencies to support these institutions through funding and partnerships. It also encourages the public to visit these museums, support them financially, and engage with their educational resources. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding, but serves as a symbolic endorsement of these institutions' cultural and historical significance.

Maddy summaryHR 7736, the RELIEF Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on imports entered on or after January 1, 2025. It directly affects importers of record by mandating automatic refunds within 90 days of the bill's enactment, without requiring them to submit applications or protests. The bill directs Customs to use existing data to calculate and disburse refunds for all affected tariff collections, including entries involving goods withdrawn from warehouse for consumption. This policy change eliminates the need for importers to seek refunds through separate processes, streamlining the recovery of overpaid duties.

Maddy summaryHR 7740, the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes $4 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and support teaching about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create digital and print materials, provide teacher training, and expand access to curriculum resources for K-12 and college classrooms. It requires annual reports to Congress on fund usage and expires in 2030. This program directly affects educators and students by enhancing classroom materials and professional development on African American history.