Rep. John B. Larson

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 6759 makes AmeriCorps education awards tax-free for recipients. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude these awards from taxable income under sections 117(c) and 108(f), meaning members who earn education awards through AmeriCorps will not pay federal income tax on them or on student loans forgiven through the program. This directly affects AmeriCorps members who receive education awards under the National and Community Service Act of 1990. The tax exclusion applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Billionaire Minimum Income Tax Act This bill imposes a minimum tax on individual taxpayers whose net worth for the taxable year exceeds $100 million. The tax is equal to 25% of the sum of a taxpayer's taxable income, plus net unrealized gains for the taxable year. The tax may not exceed 40% of the amount by which the taxpayer's net worth exceeds $100 million.

Maddy summaryThe UNLEADED Act requires the FAA to create an education program about unleaded aviation gasoline for pilots, flight schools, airport operators, maintenance technicians, and fixed-base operators. The program must publish online information on fuel compatibility, availability, required certifications, safety, and federal incentives, plus maintain a real-time tracking system for authorized unleaded fuels. The FAA must also coordinate annual training for fixed-base operator staff on fuel handling and safety. The program runs until December 31, 2030, with annual updates provided to Congress on progress. This directly affects general aviation users transitioning from leaded 100LL fuel to new unleaded alternatives.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution (HRES 879) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating November 20-December 20, 2023, as "National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month." It aims to raise public awareness about the needs of individuals who have lost loved ones to homicide, particularly highlighting impacts on Black and Latinx communities and survivors of intimate partner violence. The resolution calls for supporting survivors through services, research, and community-based responses, while encouraging the public to promote healing and address gun violence. It does not create new laws or allocate funding, but serves as a formal recognition of survivors' experiences.

Maddy summaryThis bill closes loopholes that allow domestic violence abusers to keep or buy firearms while under restraining orders. It requires courts to issue "firearm surrender orders" when domestic violence restraining orders are issued, mandating that abusers surrender all firearms within 24 hours. The law expands the definition of "intimate partner" to include dating partners and requires law enforcement to remove firearms if abusers don't comply. It also creates a federal grant program to help states implement these policies, directly affecting domestic violence survivors and abusers subject to restraining orders.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week beginning November 13, 2023, as "National Apprenticeship Week" through symbolic congressional support. It does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes the value of registered apprenticeships in providing paid on-the-job training, industry credentials, and career pathways. The resolution highlights apprenticeships' role in developing skilled workers, supporting high-wage sectors like healthcare and green energy, and promoting diversity in training opportunities. It aims to increase public awareness of apprenticeships as an effective "earn-and-learn" model for workers and employers.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the difficult challenges Black veterans faced when returning home after serving in the Armed Forces, their heroic military sacrifices, and their patriotism in fighting for equal rights and for the dignity of a people and a nation. The concurrent resolution also recognizes the need for the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to work to eliminate any health and benefit disparities for minority veterans.

Maddy summaryHR 6301, the Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2023, requires group health plans to ensure that out-of-pocket costs for oral anticancer drugs (taken by patients at home) are no higher than for intravenous or injected anticancer drugs. It applies to patients prescribed oral anticancer medications approved by the FDA and deemed medically necessary or clinically appropriate by their physician. The law prohibits insurers from increasing patient costs for oral drugs through benefit changes, such as higher copays or stricter coverage limits, and allows prior authorization for all chemotherapy. The law takes effect for 2024 plan years, and the GAO will study its impact on patient costs within two years.

Maddy summaryThe SHIP Act imposes sanctions on foreign entities that knowingly handle Iranian petroleum, targeting those involved in port operations, transportation, refining, or ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil. Starting 90 days after enactment, the President must block assets, deny visas, and impose penalties on individuals or companies engaging in these activities, including family members or owners of sanctioned entities. It requires annual reports tracking Iran's oil exports, revenues, and key players like shipping companies and ports. The sanctions terminate if the President certifies Iran has stopped supporting terrorism and dismantled weapons programs.