Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act This bill designates Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. (A country with this designation is subject to certain restrictions, including a ban on receiving U.S. defense exports and limits on receiving U.S. foreign assistance.)
Maddy summaryHR 3850, the Pride In Mental Health Act of 2023, establishes a federal grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse services for LGBTQ+ youth (including nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit individuals). The bill directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to fund eligible organizations to provide trauma-informed care, cultural competency training for caregivers, school bullying prevention guidelines, and family support resources. It explicitly prohibits grant funds from being used for conversion therapy or advertising related to such therapy. The bill also requires data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and a federal survey to measure psychological distress.
Maddy summaryHR 3808 extends the visa cap for Afghan allies from 38,500 to 58,500, covering Afghan nationals who worked with U.S. forces or international missions in Afghanistan (e.g., interpreters, translators) under the 2009 Afghan Allies Protection Act. It requires the State Department to create a strategy within 180 days to improve processing efficiency, including reviewing staffing, data collection, and appeal procedures for pending applications. The bill also adds provisions for reimbursing applicants' medical exam costs, allowing virtual interviews for visa applications, and ensuring denials include appeal options. These changes directly affect Afghan allies awaiting visas and aim to accelerate their resettlement in the U.S.
Maddy summaryHR 3768, the Midwives for MOMS Act of 2023, provides federal grants to support midwifery education and increase access to midwifery services. It allocates $15 million annually (2024-2028) for accredited midwifery schools to directly support students, expand programs, and train clinical instructors, with 50% of funds dedicated to student support. The bill also authorizes $20 million annually for nurse-midwifery programs in nursing schools, prioritizing students who will work in underserved health professional shortage areas and increasing racial/ethnic minority representation. These provisions directly affect midwifery students, educational institutions, and communities with limited access to maternity care, aiming to expand the midwifery workforce through targeted funding.
Maddy summaryHR 3792 extends U.S. security funding for Israel through 2028 (Section 3) and expands energy cooperation to include advanced nuclear technologies and carbon capture (Section 5). It requires annual reports on regional security partnerships involving Israel (Section 6) and ensures countries in the Abraham Accords can access U.S. development programs (Section 8). The bill also mandates reports on diplomatic efforts against ICC investigations targeting the U.S. and Israel (Section 10) and encourages people-to-people programs to strengthen the Abraham Accords (Sections 7, 9). These provisions directly affect Israel’s diplomatic engagement, security partnerships, and economic cooperation in the Middle East.
Maddy summaryHR 3770, the LIBERTY Act, modifies how federal agencies define "major rules" to include significant guidance documents. It sets a $100 million annual economic impact threshold as a key factor in determining whether a rule or guidance qualifies as "major." Federal agencies must then submit such major rules and significant guidance documents to Congress for review before they take effect. This bill directly affects federal agencies issuing regulations and the businesses or entities subject to those regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for expenses related to "qualified access technology for the blind" under the Internal Revenue Code. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $2,000 per year (adjusted for inflation) for costs paid for hardware, software, or IT that converts visual information into formats usable by blind individuals, covering the taxpayer, their spouse, or a dependent who is blind. The credit is limited to $2,000 over any three consecutive tax years per blind individual and expires after 2028. It directly affects blind individuals and their families who purchase qualifying assistive technology. The credit cannot be claimed for expenses already covered by other tax deductions or credits.
Maddy summaryHR 3408, the DRIVE Safe Integrity Act of 2023, establishes reporting requirements for a pilot program allowing 18- to 20-year-old drivers to gain experience in interstate trucking. The bill requires the Transportation Secretary to provide quarterly reports to Congress on program participation, including numbers of applicants, approved participants, and reasons for removals or withdrawals. It outlines specific apprenticeship requirements including 120-hour and 280-hour probationary periods with performance benchmarks for driving skills, and mandates that apprentices drive vehicles equipped with specific safety technologies while accompanied by experienced drivers. The bill ensures employers cannot allow drivers under 21 to operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce without participating in the approved apprenticeship program. This legislation aims to address the truck driver shortage by creating a structured pathway for younger drivers while maintaining safety standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires that AM radio receivers be included as standard equipment in all new motor vehicles (such as cars and trucks) sold in the United States, with a rule to be issued by the Department of Transportation within one year. The rule must ensure AM radio is easily accessible on the dashboard and allows manufacturers to use digital AM radio technology instead of traditional AM. During the one-year period between the bill's enactment and the rule's effective date, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio. The bill also directs a study to evaluate whether an alternative system could deliver emergency alerts as reliably as AM radio across the country, especially during crises.
Maddy summaryHR 3420, the My Body, My Data Act of 2023, restricts how companies can handle reproductive and sexual health data - such as pregnancy details, contraceptive use, or abortion-related information - by requiring them to collect only what’s necessary for requested services and limiting employee access. It gives individuals the right to access, correct, or delete their data, see which third parties received it, and get clear privacy policies explaining data practices. The Federal Trade Commission enforces the law, with penalties for violations including $100-$1,000 per violation per day, and bans retaliation for exercising these rights. The law applies to companies (like health apps or insurers) but excludes HIPAA-covered healthcare providers and entities subject to existing federal health privacy rules.
