Rep. Judy Chu

Maddy summaryThis House resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the public rollout of Space Shuttle Enterprise from a Rockwell International plant in Palmdale, California. It honors the engineers and workers in the Antelope Valley region who contributed to the shuttle's design, construction, and testing. The bill also recognizes the broader contributions of the Space Shuttle program to American science and space exploration.

Maddy summaryThe Debt-Free College Act of 2026 establishes a state-federal partnership that provides federal grants to states to cover the unmet financial need of eligible students attending in-state public colleges, effectively making tuition debt-free for those who qualify. To participate, states must commit to capping tuition increases at inflation levels, maintaining their current level of funding for higher education, and implementing student success programs that support low-income and underserved populations. The bill also creates a separate five-year grant program for specific minority-serving institutions and tribal colleges to help them cover student costs, while simultaneously expanding federal financial aid eligibility to include "Dreamer students" who entered the United States as minors under certain conditions.

Maddy summaryThe Backlog Justice Act of 2026 aims to reduce the backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits by requiring the Attorney General to create a public database tracking inventory levels and laboratory processing times across state and local jurisdictions. To address staffing shortages, the bill authorizes the FBI to develop training programs for forensic analysts and DNA technical leaders, allowing states and localities to hire individuals who have completed this federal training. Additionally, it funds a program for the FBI to collaborate with state and local providers on validating new DNA processing technologies and sharing related protocols. The legislation also provides increased grant funding to states that implement electronic tracking systems allowing sexual assault survivors to monitor the status of their evidence kits from collection through final disposition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new passenger vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. to include AM radio as standard equipment (not an optional add-on) by 2027-2028, depending on manufacturer size. It mandates that AM radio receivers must be easily accessible to drivers and allows compliance through digital AM broadcast technology. During a transition period, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio but cannot charge extra for this feature. The bill also mandates a GAO study on AM radio's role in emergency alerts and includes a 10-year sunset provision for the rule. It preempts state laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 216 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate the exception in the Thirteenth Amendment that currently permits slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. The resolution would amend the Constitution to explicitly state that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed on anyone as a penalty for criminal conduct. This change would directly affect incarcerated individuals by prohibiting forced labor practices within the criminal justice system, while clarifying that voluntary work programs and community service alternatives remain permissible.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution designates September 2026 as National Voting Rights Month to highlight the historical and ongoing challenges faced by various groups in exercising their right to vote. It encourages Congress to pass legislation that strengthens voting protections, specifically endorsing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 while opposing bills that could restrict voter eligibility. The resolution also recommends that public schools develop curricula on voting history and current suppression tactics, and it invites funding for public service announcements to promote voter registration and participation.

Maddy summaryThe WIC for Kids Act expands eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to include children in households receiving Head Start services, food assistance on Indian reservations, or nutrition block grants in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The bill extends the standard certification period for WIC-eligible children from one year to two years and allows state agencies to align recertification dates for all eligible family members within a household. Additionally, it requires states to automatically certify infants born to participating mothers without requiring a new application and grants automatic eligibility to children in kinship care arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to overturn a Department of Homeland Security rule that would establish fixed time periods for admission and specific extension procedures for nonimmigrant academic students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign information media. If enacted, the bill would prevent this immigration regulation from taking effect, thereby maintaining the existing framework for how these individuals manage their stay in the United States. The measure directly affects international students, cultural exchange participants, and foreign journalists by blocking changes to their visa duration limits and renewal processes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of John Seymour, a former United States Senator from California who passed away. It details his background as a Marine Corps veteran, Anaheim mayor, and state legislator, highlighting his work on transportation funding, environmental protection, and affordable housing. The House of Representatives uses this measure to express its sorrow at his death and requests that an official copy be sent to his family.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for designating the week of September 13 through September 19, 2026, as "Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week." It recognizes the role of these coordinators in building partnerships between schools and local communities to improve student outcomes. The bill encourages students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in events that celebrate the work of community school coordinators.