Rep. Thomas H. Kean, Jr.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act to establish a fifth round of payments for eligible victims of state-sponsored terrorism, requiring all authorized payments to be distributed by December 31, 2024. It directs specific funds into the Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, including $898 million from the Binance case settlement and 50% of annual unobligated balances from DOJ and Treasury forfeiture funds starting December 1, 2024. The bill mandates annual payments beginning January 1, 2025, for eligible claimants and requires the Special Master to submit annual reports on fund activity to Congress, including detailed deposit and disbursement records. It directly affects victims of state-sponsored terrorism, the Special Master administering the fund, and federal agencies managing forfeiture funds.

Maddy summaryHR 6319 (the 911 SAVES Act of 2023) requires the Office of Management and Budget to reclassify public safety telecommunicators as "Protective Service Occupations" within 30 days of enactment. This change corrects their current misclassification in the federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, which is used for statistical data on jobs. The bill directly affects how these professionals - critical in emergency calls involving missing children, active threats, and officer safety - are officially categorized in government workforce data. It does not create new benefits or funding but aims to better recognize their lifesaving role through accurate federal job classification.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Medicaid and CHIP rules to let eligible out-of-state healthcare providers enroll without extra state screening. It applies to providers already in Medicare or their home state program, with low fraud risk, serving children under 21 with complex medical conditions. Providers would receive 5 years of enrollment under this streamlined process, eliminating state-level barriers. The change directly affects children seeking specialized care across state lines and the providers who serve them.

Maddy summaryHRES 1456 is a symbolic resolution designating September 17, 2024, as "Constitution Day" to honor the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. It calls for the people of the United States to observe the day with ceremonies and activities, recognizing the Constitution's historical significance and foundational role in American governance. This resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies; it is purely a non-binding expression of support by the House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHR 9561, the Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act of 2025, ensures that U.S. Border Patrol Agents and Customs and Border Protection officers working during a government shutdown receive their salaries. It appropriates funds from the Treasury (not regular appropriations) to cover their pay during any lapse in discretionary funding in fiscal year 2025. This bill directly affects these specific federal employees who are required to work during shutdowns but would otherwise face pay delays. It is a procedural measure focused solely on payment mechanisms, not on changing work requirements or policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends the U.S. government's requirement to report on compliance with the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE Treaty) during a specified period starting January 1, 2022. It directly affects the executive branch, halting mandatory reports about whether the U.S. or other treaty countries are following the treaty's rules. The key provision removes the obligation to submit these reports under the Arms Control and Disarmament Act and related treaty conditions. The suspension continues until the U.S. formally ends the treaty's operation with all other participating nations.

Maddy summaryThe LIFT AI Act (HR 9211) provides federal funding to develop AI literacy education for K-12 students and teachers. It directs the National Science Foundation to award grants to colleges, nonprofits, or consortia for creating classroom curriculum, teacher training, and evaluation tools focused on AI skills like ethical use, critical interpretation, and problem-solving. The bill specifically targets schools (K-12) and aims to integrate AI literacy into existing lessons through project-based learning and professional development. Key provisions include developing learner-centered materials, training educators on AI proficiency, and creating tools to assess student progress in AI literacy.

Maddy summaryThe CREATE AI Act of 2023 establishes a National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) to improve access to AI research tools, computational resources, data, and educational materials for researchers and students across the United States. The NAIRR will provide computational resources, curated datasets, educational tools, and access to AI testbeds, with special emphasis on supporting groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Governed by a Steering Subcommittee chaired by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and managed by a Program Management Office within the National Science Foundation, the NAIRR includes specific requirements for ethical AI development, privacy protections, and security measures. The resource will be accessible to researchers at U.S. institutions of higher education, nonprofits, government agencies, and certain businesses, with priority given to projects addressing privacy, ethics, civil rights, and AI safety.

Maddy summaryHR 8836 establishes a grant program to fund projects improving habitat connectivity for migratory wildlife, particularly big game species like deer, elk, and pronghorn. It provides up to 90% federal funding for initiatives such as wildlife crossings, fence modifications, habitat restoration, and coordination with landowners, administered through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Eligible recipients include state and tribal wildlife agencies, landowners, nonprofits, and transportation departments. The bill explicitly prohibits requiring changes to agriculture, mining, or existing land uses and preserves state/Tribal authority over wildlife management.

Maddy summaryHRES 1056 is a non-binding House resolution recognizing recent trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea. It formally acknowledges specific collaborative efforts, including resumed summitry, joint military exercises, shared missile warning systems, economic partnerships, and coordinated responses to regional challenges like North Korea and crises in Sudan and Israel. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but expresses congressional support for strengthening this alliance framework. It highlights the importance of continued cooperation across diplomatic, security, and economic domains to promote stability in the Western Pacific. The resolution was introduced by multiple House members and referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee.