Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include algal blooms in the definition of a major disaster .
Maddy summaryHR 683 (PASS Act of 2023) expands the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review process to cover foreign investments in U.S. agriculture businesses, agricultural biotechnology, and private farmland. It mandates that the President block transactions involving foreign entities from China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea that would give them control over U.S. agricultural operations or land used for farming. The bill allows limited presidential waivers for national security reasons but requires a 30-day review period before any waiver. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit biannual reports to Congress on risks posed by foreign ownership in U.S. agriculture.
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) the President should classify synthetic illicit fentanyl-related substances as weapons of mass destruction; and (2) illicit fentanyl, and illicit fentanyl-related substances, should be permanently placed in schedule I (i.e., as drugs, substances, or chemicals with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse).
Maddy summaryThe HEAL Act (HR 603) requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Director to study how public elementary and secondary schools teach about the Holocaust and related antisemitism. The study will examine curriculum requirements, teaching methods (like project-based learning), instructional materials, and assessment approaches across states and school districts. It specifically analyzes whether Holocaust education is mandatory, optional, or integrated across subjects, and how schools address antisemitism and genocide prevention. The resulting report, due within 180 days of the study or three years after enactment, will inform Congress but does not change current school policies. This is a data-gathering measure, not a policy mandate.
Maddy summaryThe Educational Choice for Children Act creates tax credits for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship granting organizations providing education scholarships. Individuals can claim a credit up to $5,000 or 10% of their income, while corporations can claim up to 5% of taxable income. The scholarships are available to students from households with income up to 300% of the area median income, and can be used for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational expenses at elementary and secondary schools. The bill includes strict requirements for scholarship organizations to verify income, conduct audits, and prevent misuse of funds, while also prohibiting government control over these organizations and protecting private and religious schools from discrimination in the program. It establishes a $10 billion annual cap on the total tax credits available.
Maddy summaryHR 572, the Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act of 2023, establishes a permanent Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program based on a successful 2018-2019 pilot. It allows private-sector employers to voluntarily self-audit payroll for Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations (minimum wage, overtime), submit detailed records to the Department of Labor, and resolve unpaid wages. Affected employees (excluding those covered by H-1B/H-2B visa programs or Davis-Bacon/Service Contract Acts) receive settlement offers; they can accept (waiving private lawsuits) or decline. The program aims to increase efficiency - showing in the pilot that self-audits paid more back wages per case and per enforcement hour than traditional methods.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers to give the same medical care to infants born alive during abortions as they would to any newborn, and to immediately admit such infants to a hospital. It mandates reporting of non-compliance to law enforcement and imposes penalties including up to 5 years in prison for violations. Women who undergo abortions can file civil lawsuits seeking money damages for injuries, three times the abortion cost, and punitive damages if care standards are not met. The bill also clarifies that abortion includes intentionally killing an unborn child or terminating pregnancy without specific exceptions (e.g., after viability to preserve life or removing a dead fetus).
Maddy summaryHR 23, the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, rescinds unobligated funds previously allocated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Specifically, it cancels unused balances from certain IRS funding provisions (sections 10301(1)(A)(ii), (iii), (B), (2), (3), (4), and (5)) of the Inflation Reduction Act. This bill does not change tax laws or directly affect taxpayers; it only redirects unspent IRS budget authority. The provision applies solely to funds that were not obligated by the IRS as of the bill’s enactment date.
Maddy summaryHR 453 (the AMERICANS Act) prevents the Department of Defense from imposing new COVID-19 vaccine mandates without new congressional approval. It requires the military to adjust discharge statuses to "honorable" for service members discharged solely over vaccine refusal, and allows them to be reinstated to their previous rank with back pay and benefits. The bill also mandates that unvaccinated service members receive equal professional development and promotion opportunities, and creates processes for exemptions based on natural immunity, health conditions, or religious beliefs. It applies to all service members affected by previous vaccine-related discharges or adverse actions, regardless of whether they sought accommodations.
Maddy summaryHCONRES 3 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing support for pro-life facilities, groups, and churches targeted by vandalism and threats following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. It condemns specific incidents like graffiti, window-smashing, and arson at pregnancy centers and churches (e.g., in Frederick, MD, and Portland, OR), while recognizing the role of these organizations in supporting pregnant women. The resolution calls on the Biden Administration to use law enforcement to protect these facilities but does not create new laws or policies. As a symbolic measure, it has no legal effect on the incidents described.
