Rep. Jefferson Van Drew

Maddy summaryThis bill would change how Social Security benefits are calculated for public servants who worked in jobs not covered by Social Security (such as many state and local government positions). It replaces the current Windfall Elimination Provision with a new formula that accounts for both covered and noncovered earnings when calculating benefits, rather than reducing benefits based on noncovered employment. The bill would provide additional monthly payments of $100 for some affected individuals and $50 for others, starting 270 days after enactment. It also requires Social Security account statements to show noncovered earnings and directs the Social Security Administration to study ways to improve information sharing with state pension systems about noncovered pensions. The changes would apply to benefits payable starting January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a single gold medal to honor the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, an all-African American unit that served during the D-Day invasion in World War II. The medal commemorates their unique role as the only African American combat unit to land in Normandy, their deployment of barrage balloons to protect troops from air attacks, and their contributions to the Allied victory. The gold medal, to be struck by the Treasury and displayed at the Smithsonian Institution (including locations like the National Museum of African American History and Culture), will be made available for public display and research. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact on current laws or citizens.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric utilities from recovering smart grid deployment costs from customers. It amends the 1978 Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act to add a new rule (section 111(d)(22)) stating utilities cannot pass capital, operating, or other costs related to smart grid systems to ratepayers. States must begin reviewing this requirement within one year of the bill's enactment and finalize decisions within two years. The bill directly affects utilities and their customers (ratepayers), shifting the financial burden of smart grid investments away from consumers. Existing state actions on this issue before the bill's passage are exempt from the new timeline.

Maddy summaryHR 10018, the POWER Act, requires retail electric utilities to notify customers at least 30 days before implementing any rate increase, including the percentage, detailed justification, impact on bills, and feedback options. Utilities must also submit to the Department of Energy (DOE) a 60-day advance notice for rate hikes of 5% or more, including cost drivers and consumer impact assessments. The DOE reviews these submissions within 30 days, publishes findings, and makes recommendations for mitigating consumer impacts or adjusting rates. Non-compliance carries civil penalties up to $10,000 and blocks rate implementation until notification is provided. This bill directly affects retail electric utilities and their customers by increasing transparency around rate changes.

Maddy summaryHRES 1537 is a non-binding House resolution condemning Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, including 7 Americans still held captive. It calls on Hamas to immediately surrender, cease attacks, and release all hostages unconditionally, while reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense. The resolution also urges international organizations to condemn Hamas' actions and address the global surge in antisemitism following the attacks. As a symbolic statement, it does not create new laws or alter policy but expresses congressional position. The bill specifically references the ongoing captivity of seven U.S. citizens: Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Gadi Haggai, Judith Weinstein Haggai, Omer Neutra, and Keith Siegel.

Maddy summaryHR 9950, the "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act," authorizes three gold medals to be awarded to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team for their historic victory over the Soviet Union during the Winter Olympics. The medals, designed by the Treasury Secretary, will be presented by Congress to honor the team's achievement, which revitalized American morale during the Cold War. One medal will be displayed at the Lake Placid Olympic Center, one at the USA Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minnesota, and one at the U.S. Olympic Museum in Colorado Springs. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs. This is a ceremonial honor, not a policy change, directly recognizing the team members and their legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill terminates all federal funding for FEMA's Shelter and Services Program effective upon enactment. It prohibits new appropriations for this program or any similar successor program. Any remaining funds from the program as of the enactment date will be transferred to support disaster relief efforts under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act. The change directly affects FEMA's budget operations but redirects existing resources to broader disaster assistance.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding House resolution designates September as "Founding Fathers' Month" to honor the historical contributions of figures like Washington and Jefferson. It addresses concerns about declining civic knowledge by encouraging Americans to reflect on the Founding Fathers' role in establishing U.S. democracy, particularly during the Constitution's September 1787 signing. The resolution urges schools, organizations, and the Department of Education to promote educational efforts about founding principles and civic engagement, without creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 9928, the U.S. Park Police Modernization Act, adjusts salary structures for U.S. Park Police officers by updating pay scales and step progression timelines. It sets specific pay rates for each rank (from Private to Chief) relative to Executive Schedule level V, with Private positions capped at 95% of that rate and higher ranks at full Executive Schedule level V. The bill modifies step progression times (e.g., 52 weeks between steps for lower ranks) and clarifies that prior salary adjustments before January 3, 2021, are disregarded. This bill directly affects all U.S. Park Police officers by standardizing their compensation structure under the District of Columbia Police and Firemen’s Salary Act. It is a procedural salary adjustment, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal tax credit for individuals who contribute to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) that provide scholarships for elementary and secondary education. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to up to 10% of their adjusted gross income or $5,000 (whichever is less) for contributions to SGOs that provide scholarships for students from households earning no more than 300% of the area median income. Scholarships can cover tuition, educational materials, tutoring, testing fees, and educational therapies, with SGOs required to verify income, undergo independent audits, and meet strict distribution rules. The program would operate with a $5 billion annual cap from 2025-2028, prohibit government control over SGOs or private/religious schools, and prevent discrimination based on religious affiliation.