Rep. Jefferson Van Drew

Maddy summaryThe ACES Act (HR 530) mandates a study by the National Academies to examine cancer rates and deaths among veterans who served as aircrew members (e.g., pilots, navigators) in fixed-wing military aircraft. The study will identify potential exposure risks (like chemicals) linked to 12 specific cancers (including brain, lung, prostate, and melanoma) and use VA, DoD, and CDC data to analyze prevalence and mortality. It does not change benefits or laws but requires a final report to the VA and congressional committees. The study directly affects veterans with the defined aircrew service history.

Maddy summaryHR 3178, the Save Healthcare Workers Act, creates a new federal crime for assaulting hospital staff while they are performing their duties, with penalties including fines and up to 10 years in prison (up to 20 years for aggravated cases involving weapons or injuries). The bill directly affects hospital employees - including nurses, doctors, and support staff - across all covered facilities (such as emergency rooms, long-term care centers, and children’s hospitals) by criminalizing violence that disrupts patient care. It also establishes a $25 million annual grant program (2025-2034) to help hospitals implement safety measures like staff de-escalation training, security technology, and coordination with local law enforcement. These provisions aim to address workplace violence in healthcare settings, which the bill cites as a growing problem affecting service delivery and staff retention.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to help cover medical costs for retired Federal working dogs (like police or military K9s). It authorizes $1 million annually (2026-2030) for eligible nonprofits with a two-year history of providing such care to dogs that have received official retirement letters and are now with their handlers. The grants allow these organizations to pay for veterinary expenses, directly supporting retired service dogs and their handlers. The program is administered through the Department of Homeland Security under existing grant authority.

Fentanyl Awareness for Children and Teens in Schools Act or the FACTS Act This bill establishes grant programs and requires strategies and studies to address the misuse of synthetic opioids (i.e., laboratory-derived substances such as fentanyl and its derivatives) among youth. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to partnerships between educational and health organizations for prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts related to the use of synthetic opioids by middle and high school-aged children. It also allows school-based health centers to use existing HHS grants to purchase naloxone to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses and to establish programs to address misuse of synthetic opioids.   Also, the bill authorizes state educational agencies to use certain Department of Education (ED) grant funds to provide training to school personnel on addressing students’ misuse of synthetic opioids. State and local educational agencies must also address such misuse in their educational plans in order to qualify for certain ED grants. Finally, the bill (1) establishes an interagency taskforce to coordinate federal efforts to address synthetic opioid misuse among youth, (2) requires an evaluation of the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System’s effectiveness in identifying the specific synthetic opioids causing youth overdoses, (3) expands the data reported by the National Center for Education Statistics to include information about the use of synthetic opioids in schools, and (4) requires two recurring HHS surveys to include questions on youth exposure to synthetic opioids.

Maddy summaryHR 3112, the Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025, strengthens enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act by requiring dealers and exhibitors to hold valid licenses for animal sales or transport (Section 4). It expands enforcement authority by allowing the Attorney General to sue violators for up to $10,000 per day, seize animals, and seek injunctions (Section 20), while clarifying that courts can address violations of related rules and regulations. The bill directly affects animal dealers, exhibitors, the USDA, and the Department of Justice, creating clearer pathways for holding violators accountable. Key provisions include updating definitions, broadening inspection powers to cover all regulations, and directing penalty funds toward temporary animal care costs during legal proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most private health insurance plans to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast exams with no out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles or copays) for enrolled patients. It specifically covers exams used to evaluate abnormalities found in screenings (diagnostic) or for high-risk screening without abnormalities (supplemental), based on medical guidelines. Plans can still require prior authorization for these exams, and state laws offering stronger protections remain in effect. The rule takes effect for plan years starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe TAKE IT DOWN Act makes it a crime to intentionally share intimate images or digital forgeries of people without their consent, with penalties of up to 2 years in prison for adults and 3 years for minors. It requires major online platforms to establish a 48-hour process for victims to request removal of such content, with platforms protected from liability when acting in good faith. The bill defines "digital forgery" as AI-generated content that appears authentic and applies to websites and apps primarily hosting user-generated content, excluding email services and broadband providers. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these notice and takedown requirements. This legislation directly affects victims of nonconsensual intimate content, the platforms hosting such material, and individuals who distribute it.

Hot Foods Act of 2025 This bill expands the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to permit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption.

Maddy summaryHR 2922, "Hammers' Law," amends federal law to expand legal limitations on certain claims from commercial aviation accidents to include cruise ship voyages. The bill defines a "cruise ship" as a passenger vessel carrying at least 250 passengers with sleeping facilities, embarking or disembarking in the U.S., and not on a coastwise voyage. It also clarifies that "nonpecuniary damages" cover losses like care, comfort, and companionship. This directly affects passengers involved in cruise ship incidents within U.S. waters by extending the scope of existing legal limitations that previously applied only to commercial aviation. The key change is adding cruise ship voyages to the list of covered transportation modes under Section 30307 of Title 46, U.S. Code.

Maddy summaryThe DRIVE Act of 2025 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to set mileage reimbursement rates for veterans at the federal government's current standard rate for employees using personal vehicles on official business, replacing the previous fixed rate of 41.5 cents per mile. It also mandates that the VA process and pay these reimbursements within 90 days of a veteran's valid request. This directly affects veterans who travel for VA medical appointments or services using their personal vehicles. The bill aligns veteran travel reimbursements with federal employee standards and ensures timely payments.