Rep. Frank D. Lucas

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center on September 18, 2024, for a ceremony to present Congressional Gold Medals awarded under the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act (Public Law 116-68). The bill specifically enables the presentation of these medals to the "Hidden Figures" team - pioneering Black women mathematicians who contributed to NASA's early space missions. Physical preparations for the event must follow conditions set by the Architect of the Capitol. This is a procedural measure with no substantive policy changes, solely facilitating a commemorative ceremony.

Maddy summaryHR 9497, the AI Advancement and Reliability Act of 2024, creates a new Center for AI Advancement and Reliability within the Commerce Department to advance U.S. leadership in AI safety and reliability. The Center will conduct research, develop voluntary standards, and collaborate with federal agencies, industry, and researchers to address AI reliability, security, and safety risks - such as system flaws and adversarial attacks - through testing and benchmarking. It prohibits new regulatory authority or mandatory data sharing from private entities, requires annual reports to Congress, and is funded at $10 million for fiscal year 2025 with a six-year sunset provision. This bill directly affects federal agencies (like NIST and the National Science Foundation), research institutions, and private sector partners working on AI systems, without imposing new compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Expanding AI Voices Act directs the National Science Foundation to provide competitive grants to institutions not among the top 100 in federal research spending, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, minority-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges, or consortia of these entities. These grants fund concrete AI capacity-building activities like developing research programs, recruiting AI faculty, creating student bridge programs, and providing access to computing resources and partnerships. The program specifically aims to broaden participation in AI from underserved communities and avoid duplicating existing federal initiatives. It requires outreach to underrepresented groups and mandates that funded activities integrate ethical AI practices and workforce development.

Maddy summaryHR 9215, the Workforce for AI Trust Act, creates new fellowship programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support graduate and postdoctoral researchers studying ethical AI development and governance. It requires institutions to recruit diverse candidates committed to "trustworthy AI" and funds tuition, stipends, and research expenses for up to three years. The bill also directs NSF to expand AI skills training for STEM students through workshops and professional development, while NIST is directed to develop technical standards for AI risk management careers like testing and evaluation. These provisions directly affect researchers, universities, and future AI professionals by building workforce capacity in ethics and governance.

Maddy summaryHJRES 125 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a Federal Reserve rule requiring large financial institutions to manage climate-related financial risks. It targets the rule published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 74183), which established "Principles for Climate-Related Financial Risk Management." The resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect by invoking a specific legal process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This disapproval resolution directly affects major banks and financial firms subject to the Federal Reserve's oversight.

Maddy summaryHR 8613, the NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to formally coordinate joint research on agricultural priorities through agreements like memoranda of understanding. It directs them to collaborate on specific areas including food security, precision agriculture tools, soil health monitoring, and STEM workforce development, with funding for centers at colleges and universities. The bill establishes mechanisms for sharing data, supporting research infrastructure, and awarding grants to educational institutions to advance agricultural research and education. It also mandates a congressional report within two years detailing coordination efforts, research achievements, and future opportunities. This legislation primarily affects USDA, NSF, and educational institutions participating in joint research initiatives.

Maddy summaryHRES 1159 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) recognizing the existing partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and NASA. It highlights how the agencies share data - like NASA’s satellite soil moisture monitoring and USDA’s ground-based research - to improve agricultural practices, resource conservation, and food security. The resolution encourages them to strengthen collaboration, including STEM education efforts, to support farmers and ranchers who produce food, fuel, and fiber. It does not create new policies or funding but formally acknowledges their mutual benefits and urges continued cooperation.

This resolution supports the designation of National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of globally conscious leaders who will change the world; and (2) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Give the Gift of Blue program, which has donated more than 17,000 FFA blue jackets to FFA members in need.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a coordinated federal approach to research and development of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and advanced air mobility systems. It creates an interagency working group to coordinate R&D efforts across federal agencies, establishes National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Research Institutes, and allocates significant funding for various agencies to support R&D, domestic manufacturing, safety standards, and workforce development. The bill requires regular reporting to Congress on progress and includes provisions to address supply chain security concerns by limiting the use of foreign-made drone components for non-research purposes. It aims to strengthen U.S. leadership in drone technology while addressing safety, security, and privacy concerns. The bill authorizes substantial funding across multiple federal agencies for research and development of drone and advanced air mobility technologies.

Maddy summaryHR 8802 requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to jointly study how two specific Federal Reserve capital rules would impact markets they regulate. The study examines the cumulative effect of these proposed rules on large banks and trading activities, consulting with four CFTC advisory committees focused on agriculture, energy, global markets, and risk. The SEC and CFTC must report their findings to Congress and the public within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This bill directly affects U.S. depository institutions, bank holding companies, futures brokers, and derivative end-users by mandating an analysis of upcoming regulatory changes, but does not alter any existing rules.