Rep. Gabe Amo

Maddy summaryHR 6647, the Drone Safety Enhancement Act, requires NASA to collaborate with the FAA and other agencies on research into drone technology and advanced air mobility systems. It mandates NASA to brief Congress within 18 months on progress related to unmanned aircraft systems, traffic management (UTM), and autonomous capabilities. The bill directly affects NASA, the FAA, and industry stakeholders developing urban/regional air mobility systems using drones or autonomous aircraft. It focuses on research coordination rather than imposing new regulations, defining terms like "urban air mobility" (e.g., passenger drones under 1,320 lbs) and "regional air mobility" (e.g., larger cargo drones).

Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students. Starting July 1, 2026, it sets a $50,000 annual limit and a $200,000 total aggregate limit (beyond undergraduate borrowing) for unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans. These changes directly affect graduate and professional students pursuing advanced degrees who rely on federal loans for education costs. The provisions aim to provide higher borrowing capacity for these students' educational expenses under the Higher Education Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $250 million over five years to fund grants for states, school districts, and eligible Tribal schools to expand computer science education. It requires grantees to provide computer science courses for all high school students within five years, create early access from pre-K through middle school, and implement plans to close equity gaps for underrepresented groups (including minority students, girls, and low-income youth). Grant funds must cover teacher training, high-quality learning materials, and targeted support for underrepresented students, with strict limits on equipment spending (max 15%). Grantees must report annually on student participation data disaggregated by race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Maddy summaryHR 6597, the LET’S Protect Workers Act, increases civil penalties for employers violating key labor laws to strengthen worker protections. It raises fines for child labor violations to up to $700,000 per incident causing death or serious injury, and doubles penalties for repeated wage/hour violations (up to $50,000 per violation). The bill also significantly boosts OSHA penalties (e.g., up to $800,000 for serious violations), adds new retaliation penalties for mine safety violations (up to $200,000 for repeat offenses), and clarifies that recordkeeping violations continue until corrected. These changes apply to employers across sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, and mining, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Mine Safety Act.

Maddy summaryHRES 930 is a symbolic resolution designating December 8, 2025, as "Jimmy Lai Day" to honor Jimmy Lai's advocacy for free press, religious freedom, and democracy in Hong Kong. It calls on the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong authorities to release Jimmy Lai and other Hong Kong prodemocracy advocates detained under Hong Kong's National Security Law. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but expresses congressional support for Lai's work and condemns the imprisonment of those advocating for Hong Kong's freedoms. It directly affects U.S. diplomatic messaging toward China, not Hong Kong's legal system or residents.

Maddy summaryHR 6425 requires the FBI to create a working group within 90 days, including 18 federal agencies like the FTC and CFPB, to develop a National Strategy for Combating Scams. The strategy must establish a common scam definition, coordinate data collection across agencies, improve public complaint reporting (including for people with disabilities), and enhance private-sector collaboration to prevent scams. It mandates the strategy be submitted to Congress and published publicly within one year, with updates every five years. This bill directly affects federal agencies' coordination efforts but does not create new laws or directly impact citizens beyond improving how the government addresses scams.

Maddy summaryThe STOP Scams Against Seniors Act directs federal Byrne funds to create elder justice task forces focused on preventing and investigating financial scams targeting seniors aged 60 and older. These task forces must coordinate with local law enforcement, prosecutors, and federal agencies like the FBI and FTC to address fraud. Grantees must report detailed data on cases opened, resolved, victims supported, scam types, and signs of organized crime, with the Attorney General submitting an annual summary to Congress. The bill directly affects seniors vulnerable to financial exploitation and the agencies implementing these task forces.

Right to Read Act of 2025 This bill expands access to school libraries and literacy skills support for elementary and secondary school students. It also outlines certain constitutional rights and liability protections related to school libraries. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 (1) the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program, which provides grants to ensure high-quality instruction and effective strategies in reading and writing for children through 12th grade; and (2) the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program, which provides grants to support the development of literacy skills in low-income communities. Additionally, the bill allows Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants to be used to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in recruiting, hiring, and retaining state-certified school librarians. Further, the bill authorizes states and LEAs to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants for programs and activities that promote the development of digital literacy and information literacy skills. The Department of Education (ED) must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to biennially collect data on school libraries. ED must require an assurance from each state and LEA receiving certain funds confirming that it will (1) protect the First Amendment rights of students in school libraries, and (2) provide equal protection in the conduct of school libraries in compliance with the requirements of the Fourteenth Amendment and nondiscrimination laws. The bill also provides liability protection to teachers, school librarians, school leaders, paraprofessionals, and other staff for actions that conform with state or local policies regarding the right to read.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Social Security lump sum death payment to keep pace with inflation. It increases the base payment from $2,900 to an amount adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), starting in 2025. The change ensures survivors receive payments that maintain their real value over time rather than remaining fixed at $2,900. The new formula applies to deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2025, directly affecting beneficiaries' survivors who qualify for this lump sum payment.

Maddy summaryThe Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act establishes minimum standards for detention facilities operated by the Department of Homeland Security, requiring them to follow the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. It mandates annual unannounced inspections by the DHS Inspector General, with penalties including fines for noncompliant private facilities and transfers of detainees from noncompliant facilities. The bill requires DHS to publicly report on facility compliance, phase out private detention facilities over three years, and prohibit solitary confinement. It also ensures detainees have access to legal orientation, counsel, and more frequent custody review hearings. The bill directly affects all individuals detained in DHS custody, including immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees held in facilities operated by or contracted to DHS.