Rep. Jack Bergman

Maddy summaryHR 7202 requires the U.S. Secretary of State to report to Congress within 90 days on all U.S. funding provided to UNRWA (the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees) from fiscal years 2020 through 2024, including monthly spending details. The bill also prohibits U.S. federal funds from being used to support UNRWA, either directly or indirectly, starting upon its enactment. This bill affects U.S. government funding decisions for UNRWA and mandates transparency about past financial support. The legislation focuses on requiring a spending report and blocking future U.S. financial assistance to the agency.

Maddy summaryHRES 974 is a non-binding House resolution supporting the designation of January 21-27, 2024, as "National School Choice Week." It encourages parents to learn about K-12 education options - including public schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling - and promotes public awareness of educational choice. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the House's backing for this annual observance. It directly affects parents and students by highlighting available education pathways and urging communities to host events celebrating school choice. The resolution was introduced by multiple House members and referred to the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryThe Death Tax Repeal Act would eliminate the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax for estates of people who die on or after the bill's enactment date, and for generation-skipping transfers made after that date. It would also establish a new $10 million lifetime gift tax exemption (adjusted annually for inflation) and replace the existing gift tax rate schedule with a revised structure. These changes would primarily affect high-net-worth individuals and their heirs, as the estate tax and gift tax typically apply to large estates or gifts exceeding the new exemption threshold. The bill's provisions would take effect on the date of enactment, with transitional rules for the year the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill maintains the existing minimum wage rate for H-2A agricultural workers in each state as it stood on December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2025. It directly affects farms that hire H-2A visa workers by requiring the Department of Labor to use these state-specific rates for wage calculations during this period. The bill also clarifies that wage determinations for these workers must consider their primary job duties, especially when workers perform multiple tasks. This provides stability for farms relying on seasonal agricultural labor without changing the current wage structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President's annual budget submission and congressional budget resolutions to include the ratio of public debt to estimated gross domestic product (GDP). It amends existing laws (31 U.S.C. §1105(a) and the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974) to mandate this specific metric be reported. The change would standardize the inclusion of this ratio in federal budget documents, making it a formal part of fiscal planning. It is a procedural update to reporting requirements, not a policy change affecting debt levels or spending.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 16-member Fiscal Commission in Congress to develop bipartisan recommendations for improving the federal budget and debt situation. The Commission must identify policies to balance the budget, stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio at or below 100%, and improve long-term fiscal outlook, with recommendations requiring approval from at least 3 Republican and 3 Democratic members. The Commission must submit its report and legislative language by November 15, 2024, including economic and budgetary effects, after which Congress would consider the proposals through expedited procedures. The Commission would terminate 30 days after submitting its final report.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that tax-exempt status for charities (under IRS Section 501(c)(3)) does not count as "federal financial assistance" for other federal programs. It directly affects tax-exempt organizations, such as charities and religious groups, by preventing their tax exemption from automatically qualifying them for other federal benefits or programs. The key provision amends the U.S. Code to define "federal financial assistance" as excluding tax exemptions, ensuring these organizations aren't mistakenly included in programs meant for recipients of direct federal funds. This change applies prospectively and does not alter how tax exemptions were treated before the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 6744, the "No VA Resources for Illegal Aliens Act," prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from providing health care or processing health care claims for individuals unlawfully present in the United States who are not already eligible for VA health care under existing law. This bill directly affects undocumented immigrants who do not qualify for VA benefits through standard veteran eligibility criteria. The key provision explicitly bars VA resources from being used for any care or claims processing for such individuals. The bill does not alter VA eligibility rules for veterans but prevents the use of VA funds for non-eligible non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S.

Maddy summaryHRES 953 is a formal resolution congratulating the University of Michigan Wolverines football team for winning the 2024 NCAA Division I College Football Playoff National Championship. It specifically recognizes their undefeated 15-0 season, 12th national title in school history, and three-peat Big Ten Conference championship. The resolution directs the House to invite the team to the U.S. Capitol for an honor and sends copies to university leadership (President, Athletic Director, and Head Coach) for display. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact beyond expressing congressional recognition.

Maddy summaryThe Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act creates a new grant program providing financial aid to students enrolled in short-term, career-focused educational programs (150-600 clock hours, 8-15 weeks) that prepare students for high-demand jobs. To qualify, programs must meet specific standards including alignment with industry needs, minimum job placement rates of 70%, and median earnings that exceed local wage benchmarks. The bill requires institutions to collect and publicly report data on program outcomes including completion rates, job placement, and student earnings through the College Scorecard website. It also establishes new accreditation standards for agencies evaluating these workforce programs, with $40 million authorized for fiscal year 2025 and $30 million for each of the next four years.