Rep. Sarah Elfreth

Maddy summaryThis bill restores the pre-January 20, 2025, administrative structure of the Head Start program within the Department of Health and Human Services. It establishes a central Office of Head Start with 12 regional offices, requiring the Secretary to maintain all prior staffing levels, organizational structure, and functions. The bill prohibits the Secretary from restructuring the office or reducing staff without providing 60 days' notice to Congress and the public, ensuring continuity in program oversight. It directly affects the Office of Head Start, its regional offices, and HHS staff managing Head Start operations.

Maddy summaryHRES 807 is a procedural resolution requesting the President to provide specific documents to the House of Representatives about government employee pay during a funding gap. It asks for unredacted communications related to potential pay withholdings, legal arguments about the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, and plans affecting furloughed federal employees during the October 1, 2025, appropriations lapse. The resolution directly targets the President and relevant agencies (like OMB and OPM) to disclose internal records within 14 days. It does not change policy but seeks transparency about decisions impacting federal workers' pay during a funding interruption.

Keep Air Travel Safe Act This bill provides continuing appropriations for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) during any period in which there is a lapse in appropriations for TSA. It also requires the continuing appropriations to be funded using certain unobligated funds that were provided to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.   The bill provides the appropriations for TSA to continue all programs, projects, or activities (including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees) that were funded in the preceding fiscal year. The appropriations provided by this bill are available from the first day of a lapse in appropriations for TSA until the earlier of the date on which the applicable regular appropriations bill for the fiscal year becomes law or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations becomes law, or  the date that is 180 days after the first day of a lapse in appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes federal funding for the WIC program mandatory by requiring Congress to appropriate necessary funds annually for fiscal year 2026 and each subsequent year. It removes discretionary language from WIC funding requirements and clarifies that eligible participants must be served without participation limits. The bill directly affects low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children who rely on WIC for nutrition assistance, ensuring continued access to critical food, health, and education services.

Maddy summaryHRES 797 is a non-binding resolution expressing concern about the rising number of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries. It cites PEN America data showing 6,870 book bans affecting 3,751 titles between July 2024 and June 2025, with books about race, LGBTQ+ experiences, and marginalized communities disproportionately targeted (e.g., *The Handmaid’s Tale*, *Maus*, *This Book Is Gay*). The resolution calls on schools to follow best practices for book challenges, protect students’ access to diverse materials, and return books removed from military schools under recent executive orders. It directly addresses students, educators, librarians, and authors impacted by censorship, emphasizing that such bans threaten free expression and democratic values.

Maddy summaryHR 5708, the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act, provides temporary protections for federal workers and contractors during government shutdowns. It suspends civil proceedings like evictions, mortgage foreclosures, student loan collections, and tax payments if the worker is furloughed or working without pay. During a shutdown (and for 30 days after), courts can pause these obligations or adjust payments to prevent harm, and lenders/insurers cannot penalize workers for missed payments due to the shutdown. The law directly affects federal employees whose income is disrupted by a shutdown, ensuring housing, loan, and tax protections while maintaining their civil rights.

Maddy summaryHR 5705 requires the federal government to reimburse state agencies for funds they use to maintain participation in the WIC program during a government shutdown. It directly affects states that cover WIC costs using their own money when federal funding lapses. The bill establishes a process where states can seek reimbursement from the federal government after the shutdown ends. This ensures states aren’t burdened with costs for a federal funding gap that impacts nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children.

Maddy summaryHR 5724, the FAST Justice Act, creates a 120-day deadline for the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to act on most federal employee appeals. If the MSPB fails to take action within this period, affected federal employees or job applicants can file a civil lawsuit in federal court. The bill specifies where these lawsuits can be filed (based on where the personnel action occurred or where the employee would have worked) and clarifies that courts must use standard review procedures for MSPB decisions. This directly affects federal workers facing delays in employment-related appeals.

Maddy summaryHR 5720, the Federal Worker Childcare Protection Act of 2025, would provide reimbursement to federal employees who face a pay gap during a government funding lapse (starting October 1, 2025) while paying for childcare. It directly affects federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay during such a lapse. Employees would receive reimbursement for childcare costs if they provide documentation, such as receipts from a childcare provider, to the General Services Administration. This reimbursement is subject to available congressional appropriations and does not guarantee payment.

Maddy summaryThe Keep the Heat On Act of 2025 ensures low-income households continue receiving home energy assistance during a federal government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. It directs the use of unused Treasury funds to maintain the same payment rates for the home energy assistance program as in fiscal year 2025, preventing service interruptions. This applies specifically to any shutdown period during the 2026 fiscal year, guaranteeing consistent support for vulnerable families. The bill addresses a funding gap without altering existing program eligibility or requirements.