Rep. Sara Jacobs

Maddy summaryHR 6645, the Working Families Disaster Tax Relief Act, allows individuals affected by federally declared disasters to use their *previous year's income* to qualify for the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit. This helps families who lost income due to a disaster (like a hurricane or wildfire) but would qualify for tax credits if their income from the prior year was used instead. The bill amends tax code sections to create a simple election process for "disaster-affected taxpayers" - defined as those whose home or workplace was in a declared disaster zone during the disaster period. It applies to tax years starting after December 31, 2024, and does not change the credit amounts, only the income calculation method for affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCONRES 65) is a symbolic congressional commendment of state and local governments that have affirmed reproductive rights as human rights. It recognizes efforts by jurisdictions like Carrboro, North Carolina; Austin, Texas; and Fulton County, Georgia, which passed resolutions or proclamations declaring abortion access a human right and condemning criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. The resolution urges states to repeal restrictive abortion laws and protect access to reproductive care, but it does not create new legal requirements or fund programs. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect on federal or state law.

Maddy summaryThe AI Talent Act (HR 6573) creates specialized hiring teams within federal agencies to streamline recruitment for technology and artificial intelligence positions. It establishes agency-level "AI talent teams" to improve job announcements, assessments, and hiring for tech roles, while the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will lead a central team to coordinate cross-agency hiring efforts, share technical assessments, and develop an online platform for standardized skills evaluations. The bill directly affects federal agencies hiring for AI and tech roles and applicants seeking those positions by changing how technical skills are assessed - requiring job-specific evaluations (like coding tests or structured interviews) instead of relying solely on self-assessments after 5 years. Key provisions include sharing assessment tools between agencies, allowing customization of evaluations, and mandating that assessments be based on job analysis to measure relevant skills. The law aims to modernize federal hiring for high-demand tech talent without altering pay or creating new government programs.

Maddy summaryHR 6579, the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act, requires federal, state, and local law enforcement officers to provide notice of their authority and purpose before entering a premises with a warrant. This applies to all officers serving warrants, including those at the federal level and state/local agencies receiving Department of Justice funding. The law mandates this notice requirement starting in the first fiscal year after enactment, directly affecting law enforcement agencies that receive federal funding for policing. It changes the process for executing warrants by eliminating the ability to conduct no-knock entries without first informing occupants.

Maddy summaryHR 6567 creates a new Federal Food Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee food safety and regulation, replacing the Food and Drug Administration's food-related responsibilities. It transfers all FDA functions related to food (including inspections, labeling, and enforcement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) to this new agency, headed by a presidentially appointed Commissioner of Foods. The bill establishes risk-based inspection schedules: high-risk facilities (like meat processors) must be inspected annually, intermediate-risk facilities every two years, and low-risk facilities (such as warehouses) every three years, with infant formula facilities inspected every six months. This reorganization directly affects food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers by shifting oversight from the FDA to a dedicated agency focused solely on food safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers from arresting or detaining immigrants at immigration court facilities during hearings or while arriving/departing for hearings, except with a judicial warrant. It applies to all pending immigration cases, appeals, and motions to reopen, covering anyone whose removal order isn't final. Exceptions allow arrests only to prevent imminent threats to life, safety, or national security. The bill also requires DHS to report scheduled check-in arrests to the Inspector General and mandates annual oversight reports to Congress on compliance.

Maddy summaryHRES 929 is a House resolution condemning the U.S. President's pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted in a U.S. court for leading a decades-long drug trafficking conspiracy. The resolution reaffirms U.S. commitment to partner with Honduras on counter-narcotics efforts and democratic cooperation, regardless of the outcome of Honduras' November 30, 2025, election. It states the pardon undermines U.S. credibility in anti-corruption and counter-narcotics work, emboldens criminal networks, and signals that political influence can override the rule of law. The resolution urges continued U.S. support for security, economic development, and anti-corruption measures in Honduras.

Right to Read Act of 2025 This bill expands access to school libraries and literacy skills support for elementary and secondary school students. It also outlines certain constitutional rights and liability protections related to school libraries. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 (1) the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program, which provides grants to ensure high-quality instruction and effective strategies in reading and writing for children through 12th grade; and (2) the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program, which provides grants to support the development of literacy skills in low-income communities. Additionally, the bill allows Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants to be used to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in recruiting, hiring, and retaining state-certified school librarians. Further, the bill authorizes states and LEAs to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants for programs and activities that promote the development of digital literacy and information literacy skills. The Department of Education (ED) must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to biennially collect data on school libraries. ED must require an assurance from each state and LEA receiving certain funds confirming that it will (1) protect the First Amendment rights of students in school libraries, and (2) provide equal protection in the conduct of school libraries in compliance with the requirements of the Fourteenth Amendment and nondiscrimination laws. The bill also provides liability protection to teachers, school librarians, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and other staff for actions that conform with state or local policies regarding the right to read.

Maddy summaryThe Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act establishes minimum standards for detention facilities operated by the Department of Homeland Security, requiring them to follow the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. It mandates annual unannounced inspections by the DHS Inspector General, with penalties including fines for noncompliant private facilities and transfers of detainees from noncompliant facilities. The bill requires DHS to publicly report on facility compliance, phase out private detention facilities over three years, and prohibit solitary confinement. It also ensures detainees have access to legal orientation, counsel, and more frequent custody review hearings. The bill directly affects all individuals detained in DHS custody, including immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees held in facilities operated by or contracted to DHS.

Maddy summaryThis bill would protect unaccompanied children by repealing fee requirements and other provisions in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" that have created barriers to their access to humanitarian protections. It specifically exempts unaccompanied children from paying fees for asylum applications, employment authorization, and immigration court proceedings, and requires the government to refund fees already paid under the repealed provisions. The bill also repeals provisions allowing for summary removal of children without due process, intrusive body examinations without safeguards, and sharing of sponsor information with immigration enforcement that has led to family separations. These changes would directly affect unaccompanied children seeking asylum or other protections in the United States, ensuring they can access legal processes without financial barriers or heightened risks of exploitation. The bill aims to uphold protections for unaccompanied children established under the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA).