Rep. Robin L. Kelly

Maddy summaryHR 949, the Insular Area Medicaid Parity Act, removes federal funding caps on Medicaid for U.S. territories, directly affecting Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. The bill amends the Social Security Act to eliminate the existing limit on federal Medicaid funding for these territories, allowing them to receive full federal matching funds like states. This change takes effect for fiscal year 2023, ending the previous restriction that required territories to fund a portion of their Medicaid costs themselves. The policy change ensures these territories can access the same level of federal Medicaid support as states.

Maddy summaryThe HELP Copays Act (HR 830) changes how health insurance plans calculate patient cost-sharing. It requires that payments made by third parties (like pharmacies, charities, or discount programs) toward medical costs count toward a patient's deductible, copay, or out-of-pocket limit. This directly affects insured individuals who receive financial assistance, discounts, or product vouchers for healthcare expenses. The law ensures these external payments reduce the patient's actual out-of-pocket costs more quickly, aligning with existing Affordable Care Act and Public Health Service Act requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor all U.S. Army Dustoff crews who served during the Vietnam War (1962-1973). It recognizes their critical role in evacuating nearly 900,000 wounded personnel, including U.S., South Vietnamese, and allied forces, under extreme combat conditions. The medal, designed with input from the Secretary of Defense, will be presented to the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum for permanent display. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover costs, but the primary action is the commemorative recognition of these crews' service.

Beginning Agriculturalist Lifetime Employment Act of 2023 or the BALE Act of 20 2 3 This bill revises the limits for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation loan guarantee program. The bill replaces the existing 80% limit on the portion of a loan that USDA may guarantee with limits that range from 80%-90%, depending on the principal amount of the loan. For socially disadvantaged or beginning farmers or ranchers, the bill replaces the existing 90% limit with limits that range from 85%-95%, depending on the principal amount of the loan. The bill also (1) prohibits USDA from guaranteeing a loan under the program that exceeds $4 million, and (2) requires USDA to adjust the limits annually for inflation.

Maddy summaryHR 987 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring Golda Meir, Israel's first female Prime Minister, and the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Israel relations. It specifies three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar clad coins (max 750,000), with detailed weight and composition requirements. All coins will include Golda Meir's image, her name, and commemorative inscriptions, and will be sold during 2026. A surcharge ($35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, $5 for half-dollars) will be paid to the American Friends of Kiryat Sanz Laniado Hospital Inc. to support its hospital operations.

Maddy summaryThe Supply Chain Mapping and Monitoring Act establishes a new Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response Office within the Department of Commerce to map, monitor, and strengthen supply chains for critical goods and services essential to national security and economic security. The Office will identify vulnerabilities in supply chains, develop response strategies for supply chain shocks (including natural disasters, cyberattacks, and pandemics), and coordinate with private industry, labor organizations, and international partners. It requires the Office to produce a comprehensive report every four years assessing supply chain resilience and making recommendations to improve domestic manufacturing capacity, while protecting confidential business information shared with the government. This legislation directly affects domestic manufacturers, critical industries across 10 key technology focus areas (including semiconductors, AI, and advanced materials), and supply chains that support critical infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of Manufacturing Security and Resilience within the Department of Commerce to strengthen U.S. critical supply chains. It requires the development of a strategy to counter threats to critical supply chains, including reducing reliance on "countries of concern" for critical goods. The legislation mandates regular assessments of supply chain vulnerabilities, promotes partnerships with allied nations, and supports domestic manufacturing of critical goods. It directly affects domestic manufacturers, the Department of Commerce, and relevant federal agencies. The bill aims to improve supply chain resilience through monitoring, assessment, and strategic partnerships to ensure access to critical goods during disruptions.

Maddy summaryThe MEANS Act establishes an Office of Manufacturing Security and Resilience within the Department of Commerce to strengthen U.S. supply chains for critical goods. It creates a program providing loans and loan guarantees to domestic manufacturers, enterprises, and other eligible entities to support domestic production of critical goods and reduce reliance on supply chains concentrated in "countries of concern." The program is funded with $35 billion over five years (2024-2028) and prioritizes activities that enhance supply chain resilience, security, and diversity for goods that impact national security or economic security. The bill defines "critical goods" as materials whose absence would significantly affect national security or critical infrastructure, and "countries of concern" as those posing security threats or having committed crimes against humanity.

Maddy summaryHR 762, the Building Resilient Supply Chains Act, establishes a new Office within the Commerce Department to strengthen U.S. supply chains for critical goods and services. It creates a $41 billion program (over fiscal years 2024-2028) offering grants, loans, and loan guarantees to eligible entities like domestic manufacturers, state/local governments, Tribal governments, and manufacturing extension centers. The funding supports projects that diversify, secure, and expand domestic production of critical items - such as semiconductors, batteries, and medical supplies - to enhance national security and economic resilience. Recipients must use federal funds for no more than 80% of project costs and agree to workforce protections, including maintaining existing union contracts during the funding period.

Maddy summaryHR 826 establishes a new Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response Office within the Department of Commerce. The Office develops voluntary guidelines to help domestic manufacturers and businesses that produce or use "critical goods" (like defense materials or infrastructure supplies) assess supply chain risks and improve resilience against disruptions. It will monitor supply chains, conduct stress tests, and provide resources to help companies redesign products and expand manufacturing capacity. The bill directly affects manufacturers of critical goods and aims to prevent shortages that threaten national security or economic stability. It allocates $500 million over five years to fund these efforts.