Rep. Don Bacon

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 501) amends House rules to allow two members - one from the majority party and one from the minority party - to jointly sponsor public bills or resolutions. It directly affects House members by changing the sponsorship process for legislative proposals. The key provision adds a new paragraph to Rule XII, permitting this cross-party sponsorship structure while updating related procedures for naming cosponsors and submitting constitutional statements. The change aims to facilitate bipartisan collaboration on legislative proposals within the House rules framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates annual funding for USDA programs to prevent, detect, and respond to foreign animal diseases affecting livestock. It requires $30 million annually for 2023-2025, increases to $233 million yearly for 2026-2029, and then reduces to $75 million annually after 2030, with specific allocations for surveillance, laboratory networks, and emergency response. The funds directly support state and federal animal health programs, including the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and the National Animal Disease Preparedness Program. These provisions aim to strengthen protections for U.S. agriculture by ensuring consistent resources for disease monitoring and rapid containment.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for career services under the Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program to include spouses of military members who died in service (Gold Star spouses) and surviving spouses of service members who died while on active duty. It amends existing law to define "eligible person" as these spouses, replacing or adding to previous veteran-focused language. The key change allows these spouses to access career counseling, job training, and employment assistance previously available primarily to veterans themselves. This directly affects military families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty, providing them with new pathways to workforce support. The bill modifies specific sections of Title 38, U.S. Code, to implement this expanded eligibility.

Maddy summaryHR 3884, the Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2025, expands Medicare coverage for mental and behavioral health services provided via telehealth. It removes geographic restrictions that previously limited telehealth mental health coverage to rural areas, allowing beneficiaries nationwide to access these services through telehealth. The bill amends the Social Security Act to explicitly include "mental and behavioral health services furnished through telehealth" under Medicare coverage rules. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking remote mental health care, making it easier to receive these services regardless of location. The policy change applies to all Medicare Part B beneficiaries using telehealth for qualifying mental or behavioral health services.

Maddy summaryThe Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025 amends federal law to provide funding for programs serving runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth, primarily aged 15-22 with some services extending to youth up to age 26. It establishes basic center grants for temporary shelter (up to 30 days) and transitional living programs that provide housing, counseling, and services tailored to youth's age, gender, and developmental needs. The bill requires programs to collect data on vulnerable populations including LGBTQ youth, youth of color, and those in the child welfare system, and mandates trauma-informed services for youth victims of trafficking. It authorizes $200 million annually for these programs, with specific funding allocations to support prevention services, street outreach, and coordination with education and child welfare systems.

Maddy summaryHR 3885, the Community TEAMS Act of 2025, creates a new grant program to expand medical student clinical training in rural and medically underserved communities. It provides funding for consortia of medical schools partnered with rural health clinics, community health centers, or facilities in underserved areas to support student rotations in outpatient settings. The grants, lasting 1-5 years, require applicants to detail project plans, sustainability, and how the program will improve community access to healthcare. This directly affects medical students, training facilities, and residents of high-need areas by aiming to build a sustainable physician workforce in those locations.

Maddy summaryHRES 481 is a symbolic resolution condemning recent antisemitic attacks in the U.S., specifically referencing the June 1, 2025, Boulder, Colorado, assault on a Jewish community gathering and other incidents like the May 2025 Washington, D.C., embassy shooting. It formally recognizes a pattern of violence targeting Jewish individuals and institutions, including attacks during religious events. The resolution calls on law enforcement to thoroughly investigate and prosecute such incidents and urges elected officials to publicly oppose antisemitism and politically motivated violence. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves to affirm congressional stance against antisemitism.

Maddy summaryHR 3832, the Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act, allows the naturalization (becoming a U.S. citizen) of surviving spouses, children, or parents of public safety officers who died from work-related injuries or illnesses, without requiring prior physical presence in the U.S. The bill amends immigration law to remove the standard requirement for physical presence within the U.S. for these family members. It directly affects immediate family members of fallen first responders, including police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel defined under existing law. The key provision streamlines citizenship eligibility for grieving families who would otherwise face lengthy residency hurdles.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCONRES 36) commemorates the 100th birthday of former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush by honoring her life, achievements, and public service, particularly her advocacy for literacy through founding the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and supporting the National Literacy Act. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of her contributions to public service during her time as First Lady and Second Lady of the United States. The resolution is non-binding and focuses solely on acknowledging her legacy.

Maddy summaryHRES 483 is a House resolution recognizing the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army's founding on June 14, 1775. It expresses appreciation for the Army's service over 250 years, honors soldiers' valor and core values, and calls for public observance through ceremonies and activities. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it is purely commemorative. It was introduced by 30 bipartisan House members and referred to the Armed Services Committee.