Rep. Lisa C. McClain

Maddy summaryHR 4742, the Pay Back Act, prohibits federal agencies from canceling or modifying student loans without new congressional approval. It directly affects borrowers with federal student loans covered under the Higher Education Act of 1965 or the Health Education Assistance Loan Program. The bill blocks the Secretary of Education, Treasury, or Attorney General from forgiving balances or changing loan terms, except as authorized by a new law passed after the bill's enactment. This requires Congress to explicitly pass new legislation for any future loan forgiveness or modification.

Maddy summaryHR 4721, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, makes a permanent the 20% tax deduction for eligible small business owners under Section 199A of the tax code. This provision directly affects pass-through business owners (like S-corps, partnerships, and sole proprietorships) who qualify for the deduction. The bill achieves this by removing the temporary expiration language (subsection (i)) from the existing tax code provision. The key change is ending the need for annual congressional extensions of this deduction, providing long-term tax certainty for small businesses.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that research and promotion boards support efforts to develop new markets and strengthen existing markets via research, education, and promotion.

Maddy summaryThe IDEA Full Funding Act (HR 4519) mandates specific annual increases in federal funding for special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It requires Congress to appropriate increasing amounts each fiscal year - from $5.87 billion for 2024 up to $55.53 billion for 2033 - to reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for public schools by 2033. This directly affects all public school districts serving students with disabilities, as federal IDEA funding supports their special education services. The bill sets fixed dollar amounts or percentage targets (whichever is greater) for each fiscal year, aiming to gradually close the long-standing gap between promised and actual federal funding. It does not alter eligibility for services but mandates higher, phased funding levels to meet the 40% target.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities to annually certify that their president (or equivalent leader) and at least one board member reviewed all reported Title IX incidents involving covered employees from the previous year. The review must examine investigation findings, conclusions about policy violations, and any sanctions imposed, while protecting the identity of the person reporting the incident. It also mandates that these leaders confirm they did not interfere with any investigation or outcome. The law directly affects higher education institutions' leadership, not students or general staff, and applies to incidents involving full-time employees or contracted personnel acting on behalf of the institution.

Maddy summaryHJRES 44 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a 2021 rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The rule classified firearms with stabilizing braces as "short-barreled rifles," which would have required additional licensing and regulation. This resolution uses a specific legal process (under Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove the ATF rule, meaning the rule would no longer be in effect. It directly affects firearm owners, manufacturers, and dealers who would have been subject to the rule’s requirements.

Maddy summaryHJRES 45 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific Department of Education rule about federal student loans. It seeks to block the rule implementing "One-Time Federal Student Loan Debt Relief" (including modifications to Perkins, FFEL, and Direct Loan programs) by invoking the Congressional Review Act. If passed, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing the Department of Education from using it to modify or waive student loan obligations. The bill directly affects borrowers who might have qualified for debt relief under the targeted rule.

Maddy summaryHR 277 would require Congress to approve major federal regulations before they take effect. Major rules are defined as those with significant economic impact ($100 million+ annually), major cost increases for consumers or industries, or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, or innovation. Agencies must submit detailed information about these rules to Congress, including cost-benefit analyses, before they can take effect. Congress would have 70 session days to approve the rule with a joint resolution; if they don't act within that timeframe, the rule would not take effect. This would increase congressional oversight of federal regulations and require more detailed information about proposed rules before they become law.

Maddy summaryHR 4076 establishes a joint U.S.-Israel program to fund health technology development, authorizing $4 million annually (2024-2026) through the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. It requires Israel to match U.S. funding and focuses on collaborative projects in artificial intelligence, vaccines, telemedicine, diagnostic tests, and data-driven personalized medicine for emerging infectious diseases. The program can either build on an existing U.S.-Israel agreement or create a new one under a 2008 science cooperation framework. This bill directly affects U.S. federal health agencies and the Israeli government, with funds restricted to joint projects meeting specific technological and health priorities.

Maddy summaryHRES 518 is a non-binding House resolution expressing support for parental rights in education and sports. It opposes labeling parents as "extreme" for seeking age-appropriate school curriculum (like avoiding sexual orientation discussions for young children) and for wanting biological males excluded from women’s sports. The resolution also states opposition to weakening Title IX protections and affirms that parents - not government - should have final say in their children’s education. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws but formally states the House’s position on these issues.