Rep. Gregory W. Meeks

Maddy summaryHRES 870 is a commemorative resolution honoring the 265 victims of the 2001 American Airlines Flight 587 crash in Rockaway, Queens, New York. It specifically recognizes the families and communities affected, particularly the large Dominican American community among the victims, and marks the 24th anniversary of the tragedy on November 12, 2025. The resolution extends the U.S. House’s condolences to the victims’ families and acknowledges the existing memorial and annual ceremony held at Rockaway Park. As a purely symbolic gesture, it does not create new policies or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program to coordinate and fund habitat restoration and water quality improvements across the shared watershed region. It creates a competitive grant program providing federal matching funds (up to 90% for small/rural/disadvantaged communities) to state/local governments, nonprofits, and tribes for projects advancing habitat restoration, climate resilience, and public access. The program prioritizes communities facing environmental injustice and requires coordination with existing regional conservation plans like the Hudson River Estuary Program. Funding of $20 million annually (2026-2031) will support these activities, with 75% dedicated to the grant program and all projects supplementing existing conservation efforts.

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 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.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 240 Main Street in Northport, New York, as the "Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nate Bruckenthal Post Office Building".

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 47 Echo Avenue in Miller Place, New York, as the "Christopher Pendergast Post Office Building".

Maddy summaryHRES 768 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on its 118th anniversary. The resolution formally recognizes the fraternity's founding in 1906, its mission of promoting leadership and academic excellence, and its service to communities across the globe. It specifically commends the organization for its historical role in civil rights advocacy and community programs like voter engagement and youth education initiatives. This resolution has no policy impact - it is a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the House of Representatives to the fraternity.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 Main Street in Westhampton Beach, New York, as the "Jolly 51 Memorial Post Office Building".

Maddy summaryHR 5508, the Mortgage Insurance Freedom Act, stops the government from collecting annual mortgage insurance premiums on FHA-insured mortgages once the remaining loan balance falls to 78% or less of the home's original purchase price or appraised value. It directly affects homeowners with FHA loans who reach this balance threshold, eliminating their annual insurance payments. The bill requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to create a process for homeowners to prove their loan balance meets the 78% threshold and to conduct outreach about this change. An exception applies if the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund's capital ratio drops below 2%, temporarily keeping premiums in effect for certain mortgages. This applies only to mortgages endorsed for FHA insurance after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health plans and insurers to create a clear, timely process for patients or doctors to request exceptions when step therapy protocols (which force patients to try cheaper drugs first) might harm them. It mandates approval for exceptions in six specific cases, such as when prior treatments failed, delaying care risks severe harm, or the required drug causes adverse reactions. Plans must respond within 72 hours (24 hours for emergencies) and cover the requested drug for at least one year if approved. Additionally, health plans must report annual data on exception requests, approvals, denials, and reasons to the government for transparency.