Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.

Maddy summaryThe CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands Medicare telehealth coverage by removing geographic restrictions that limited where patients could receive care, expanding the types of health care providers who can offer telehealth services, and eliminating the requirement for an in-person visit before receiving telemental health services. The bill includes specific provisions to support telehealth use for Native American health facilities, rural health clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. It requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to collect and publish data on telehealth usage and impacts, and to develop resources to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and limited English proficiency. Program integrity measures are added to monitor telehealth billing practices and prevent fraud while maintaining coverage for telehealth services during public health emergencies.

Maddy summaryHR 4153, the STRONG Act, increases maximum loan limits for two key Small Business Administration (SBA) programs. It raises the cap for standard 7(a) loans from $3.75 million to $7.5 million (and the threshold for higher amounts from $5 million to $10 million), and doubles the cap for development company loans from $5 million to $10 million (for both standard and higher thresholds). These changes directly affect small businesses seeking SBA financing by allowing them to access larger loans for growth, expansion, or recovery. The bill modifies specific provisions in the Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act to expand access to capital.

Maddy summaryHRES 546 is a resolution encouraging Members of Congress to visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in their states to observe conditions firsthand and fulfill oversight responsibilities. It references the 2024 Appropriations Act, which permits unannounced visits and prohibits facilities from altering conditions for such visits, ensuring transparency. The resolution cites concerns about recent cuts to oversight staff (including closed offices for detainee rights) and reports of overcrowding and inadequate medical care in detention centers. It aims to inform congressional efforts to address systemic issues in immigration detention without mandating visits.

Maddy summaryThe Women's Health Protection Act of 2025 would protect access to abortion services across the United States by prohibiting states from imposing restrictions that are more burdensome than those on comparable medical procedures. The bill directly affects people seeking abortion care and health care providers by banning restrictions such as mandatory in-person visits, requirements for specific tests, limitations on telemedicine, and rules based on a patient's reason for seeking abortion. It prohibits state laws that single out abortion for unnecessary restrictions while allowing post-viability abortions when necessary to protect a patient's life or health. The bill preempts conflicting state laws and provides enforcement mechanisms through private lawsuits and actions by the Attorney General.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates federal funding for community-based violence intervention programs in high-violence areas, targeting communities with 35+ homicides annually or 20+ homicides with rates double the national average. It establishes grants for community organizations to implement trauma-informed violence interruption strategies, hospital-based programs for injured patients, and job training for "opportunity youth" (16-25 year olds not in school or work). The legislation authorizes $300 million in 2026, increasing to $700 million annually through 2033, with requirements for evidence-based approaches that reduce violence without contributing to mass incarceration. It creates a National Community Violence Response Center to coordinate data collection, research, and best practices for these programs. The focus is on prevention through economic opportunity, trauma care, and community-driven interventions rather than traditional law enforcement approaches.

Maddy summaryHR 4083, the Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor cyclist Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor (1878-1932), recognizing his pioneering achievements as a Black athlete who broke racial barriers in professional cycling during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal with his name and image, to be presented to Taylor’s great-granddaughter, Karen Donovan. It also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, classifying all medals as national commemorative items under U.S. law. This is a ceremonial bill with no policy changes, solely focused on commemorating Taylor’s legacy.

Maddy summaryHRES 509 is a symbolic resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating June 2025 as "Black Music Month." It does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or entities; instead, it urges the public to recognize and celebrate Black music's cultural impact through voluntary actions like promoting artists and spreading awareness. The resolution highlights Black music's historical influence across genres - from spirituals to hip-hop - and calls for honoring its legacy in education, media, and community initiatives. It follows a tradition started by President Carter in 1979 but has no legal force.

Maddy summaryHR 3946, the FIGHT Act of 2025, amends the Animal Welfare Act to specifically prohibit gambling on animal fighting events and restrict the interstate transport of roosters used in such ventures. It defines "rooster" as male chickens over six months old and makes it unlawful to sponsor, exhibit, attend (for those under 16), or gamble on animal fighting events - whether in-person or broadcast. The bill creates a civil enforcement mechanism allowing any person to file a lawsuit to stop violations after providing 60 days' notice to authorities, with potential fines up to $5,000 per violation. It also establishes seizure of property used to facilitate violations and clarifies that state laws on animal fighting remain in effect unless directly conflicting with federal provisions.

Maddy summaryHR 3906, the Medical Research for Our Troops Act, restores funding levels for military medical research by increasing the Defense Health Agency's research budget from $40.395 billion to $41.576 billion in the 2025 appropriations act. It ensures Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs funds are used consistently with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, requiring the Defense Secretary to support all previously identified research programs and maintain existing funding allocations. The bill directly affects military medical research initiatives and the Defense Health Agency's budget implementation. This is a procedural funding adjustment, not a new policy, maintaining continuity for ongoing research projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private firearm transfers between individuals to go through a licensed dealer who must conduct a background check. It applies to most private sales but includes exceptions for transfers between family members (like parents and children), law enforcement, emergencies preventing harm, and temporary loans at shooting ranges or for hunting. Dealers must provide background check notices in both English and Spanish. The law aims to prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms through private transactions while maintaining existing state authority on firearm laws.