Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin and place it in the U.S. Capitol. The committee must secure the statue within two years of the bill's enactment and install it in a public-accessible location by January 1, 2026, for viewing during Capitol Visitor Center guided tours. It is a procedural measure with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents or legislation.

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 9639, the AI Ads Act, amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to prohibit using AI-generated content (like deepfakes or synthetic media) in campaign materials as fraudulent misrepresentation of campaign authority or fraudulent fund solicitation. It directly affects political campaigns, candidates, committees, and anyone creating campaign ads by requiring that AI-generated content cannot falsely claim to represent a candidate, party, or committee. The bill updates existing rules to explicitly include "content generated in whole or in part with artificial intelligence" within the definitions of fraud under Sections 322(a)(1) and 322(b)(1). This ensures that misleading AI-generated ads - such as those falsely attributing a statement to a candidate - would be treated as illegal fraud under current campaign finance law.

Maddy summaryThe PSA Act (HR 9569) modernizes AmeriCorps programs by creating a 1,500-hour service option (shorter than the current 1,700-hour program), expanding age eligibility for the National Civilian Community Corps from 24 to 26, and establishing a stipend option in lieu of educational awards for some participants. The bill increases administrative cost allowances from 5% to 10% of funds, creates an Office of Alumni Engagement to support former members, and expands how educational awards can be used for career training programs. It also establishes a new non-competitive hiring process for AmeriCorps alumni to transition into federal careers through a certification system. These changes directly affect AmeriCorps participants, alumni, and the Corporation for National and Community Service that administers the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows VA health care professionals to prescribe controlled medications via telemedicine without requiring an in-person exam, directly affecting veterans receiving VA telehealth services. It permits prescriptions for controlled substances (like certain pain medications) when the provider is licensed under state law, acting within professional practice, and the prescription serves a legitimate medical purpose. The law requires the VA Secretary to establish regulations for this process but clarifies it doesn’t change existing Controlled Substances Act obligations. This expands access to telemedicine for veterans needing controlled medications while maintaining safety and licensing standards.

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 summaryThis bill extends survivor benefits to spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It revises eligibility rules so that veterans who die from ALS are treated as having met the required service duration for benefits, and surviving spouses must have been married for at least eight years prior to the veteran's death. The bill also requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit a report within 180 days identifying other service-connected disabilities with high mortality rates that might qualify for similar treatment. These changes apply to veterans dying from ALS on or after October 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThe PAW Act of 2024 amends the tax code to allow taxpayers to treat certain veterinary expenses for service animals or pets as medical care expenses deductible on their federal income taxes. It specifically covers up to $1,000 annually per pet for veterinary care (including diagnostic tests, medicine, and surgery) or pet health insurance, applying to the taxpayer, their spouse, or dependents. This affects individuals with qualifying service animals (defined by existing federal regulations) or pets meeting the Agriculture Improvement Act's definition. The provision applies to expenses paid after the bill's enactment, with the $1,000 limit adjusted annually for inflation.

Maddy summaryHR 6811 creates new federal grants to fund research on land management practices that store carbon or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural lands, forests, grasslands, and wetlands. The bill requires these grants to support projects using traditional ecological knowledge, promoting biodiversity and climate resilience, and reducing water runoff. It directly affects researchers, land managers, and farmers by expanding funding opportunities for climate-friendly practices. The legislation amends existing law to add this specific grant category under agricultural research programs.