Rep. André Carson

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor Colonel Young Oak Kim, a Korean American military leader and community advocate who died in 1994. It directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike the medal, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, particularly at the National Portrait Gallery. The bill does not create new policies or affect any legal rights; it is purely a commemorative gesture recognizing Kim’s military service (including the Distinguished Service Cross and leadership in the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team) and his civic work founding community centers in Los Angeles. The medal is symbolic, with no financial or legal impact on any individuals or programs.

Maddy summaryHR 794, the Lunar New Year Day Act, would designate the Lunar New Year as a federal holiday by adding it to the list of official federal holidays under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This change would directly affect federal government operations and employees, who would observe the holiday on the date of the Lunar New Year each year. The bill’s sole mechanism is amending the existing holiday schedule to include "Lunar New Year Day" following the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It does not create new programs, allocate funding, or impact non-federal entities.

Maddy summaryThe MAKERS Act (HR 812) establishes a National Science Foundation grant program to fund research and development of makerspaces at colleges and community organizations. It prioritizes funding for projects partnering with community colleges, historically Black colleges, minority-serving institutions, rural communities, and workforce training programs. Grants support equipment, research on makerspace effectiveness in teaching STEM skills, and sharing best practices - without funding new building construction. The bill directly affects higher education institutions and community groups seeking to build STEM skills through hands-on learning spaces.

Maddy summaryHRES 68 is a non-binding House resolution expressing strong disapproval of the President’s announcement to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. It commends states, businesses, and citizens supporting the Agreement, urges the President to reverse the withdrawal decision, and calls for Congress to prioritize U.S. climate leadership. The resolution does not create new laws or affect specific groups but formally states the House’s position against withdrawing from the international climate accord. It was introduced by 115 co-sponsors and reflects broad congressional concern about reversing U.S. climate commitments.

Maddy summaryThe Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act provides grants to cover the installation costs of salad bars in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, prioritizing schools with high rates of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, those in food deserts, or schools offering nutrition education. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to create a marketing plan and provide training, technical assistance, and resources to help schools implement salad bar programs. The grant program must be evaluated within one year, with a report to Congress detailing participation and outcomes, and will end after five years. The bill uses existing funding without new appropriations, focusing on expanding access to fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals.

Maddy summaryHR 738, the Universal Right To Vote by Mail Act of 2025, would require all states to allow any voter to request and cast a mail-in ballot for federal elections without needing to provide a reason, directly affecting all voters in states holding federal elections. The bill prohibits states from adding extra conditions beyond ballot request and return deadlines, and mandates that election officials must notify voters of signature discrepancies or missing information within one business day, giving them three days to correct errors before ballots are rejected. It explicitly preserves states' ability to maintain in-person polling places and applies to federal elections starting in 2026. The bill cites findings that universal mail-in voting increases participation, reduces poll wait times, and has no proven fraud risk, while eliminating requirements for personal justification or notarization.

Maddy summaryHRES 61 is a symbolic resolution designating January as "Muslim-American Heritage Month" to celebrate the contributions of Muslim Americans to U.S. society. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups legally, but formally recognizes their historical and cultural impact through non-binding support. The resolution highlights Muslim Americans' roles in fields like business, science, military service, and the arts, while acknowledging challenges like religious discrimination. It urges the public to observe the month with ceremonies celebrating their heritage.

Maddy summaryHR 646, the Build Housing with Care Act of 2025, establishes a HUD grant program to fund the co-location of affordable housing developments with child care facilities. It directly affects housing developers, child care providers, and residents of affordable housing by requiring grants to support projects in "child care deserts" (areas with severe child care shortages), prioritizing low-income, rural, or Head Start-serving providers. Key provisions mandate that projects must not evict residents, include resident engagement plans, and ensure child care providers serve low-income families or dual-language learners. The bill authorizes $100 million annually (2025-2030) and requires annual reports tracking child care slots created, resident usage, and demographic data.

Maddy summaryHR 612, the Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025, provides federal funding to help health care facilities improve safety. It authorizes the Secretary to award grants to hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers to cover costs for physical security (like structural improvements) and cyber security (such as data privacy tools and video surveillance systems). These grants directly help health care providers protect their facilities, staff, and patients from security threats. The bill creates a new funding mechanism under the Public Health Service Act, making specific security upgrades eligible for federal support.

Maddy summaryHR 609, the Assuring Medicare's Promise Act of 2025, directs revenue from the net investment income tax (currently applied to investment income) into the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. It expands the tax base to include certain business income for high-income individuals with modified adjusted gross income exceeding $400,000 ($500,000 for joint filers), with a phase-in to limit the tax increase. The bill ensures this tax revenue directly supports Medicare's hospital insurance program, applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. The changes do not alter the tax rate but broaden the income types subject to the tax for high earners.