Rep. Joe Wilson

Maddy summaryHR 1776, the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2023, would amend U.S. foreign assistance law to strengthen global tuberculosis (TB) programs. The bill requires U.S. assistance to align with the World Health Organization's End TB Strategy, aiming to reduce TB deaths by 95% and incidence by 90% by 2035. It mandates annual reporting on TB diagnosis and treatment progress, prioritizes research for new diagnostics and treatments, and emphasizes integrating TB services into primary health care. The legislation affects U.S. government agencies, global health partners, and countries with high TB burdens, particularly focusing on low- and middle-income nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Treasury to mint commemorative coins marking the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary in 2025. It authorizes three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), with surcharges of $35, $10, and $5 respectively. The surcharge proceeds will fund the Marine Corps Heritage Center's educational programs, with no net cost to taxpayers as the Treasury must recover all minting costs through the surcharges. The coins can only be issued during 2025, and the Treasury must ensure all costs are covered before distributing funds to the Heritage Foundation.

Maddy summaryHRES 613 is a non-binding U.S. House resolution recognizing Tunisia as the birthplace of the Arab Spring and commending its early democratic reforms following the 2010-2011 uprising. It condemns President Kais Saied’s 2021-2023 actions that weakened Tunisia’s democracy, including suspending parliament, dissolving courts, restricting press freedom, and passing laws criminalizing dissent. The resolution urges Tunisia to release political prisoners, protect civil liberties like free assembly and press, and ensure transparent elections for the 2024 presidential vote. As a symbolic statement, it does not create legal obligations but expresses U.S. support for Tunisia’s democratic norms.

Maddy summaryHR 4860, the PROTECT the Second Amendment Act, prevents landlords in specific federally assisted housing from banning or restricting residents' lawful possession of firearms in their private units or during travel between units and common areas. It directly affects tenants in housing funded by HUD or USDA programs, including public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and housing for veterans or people with disabilities. The bill prohibits landlords from imposing firearm bans or additional conditions on residents who lawfully carry firearms within their dwelling units or while moving through common areas to reach their units. This changes current policies in these housing programs by explicitly allowing firearm possession where state law permits.

Maddy summaryHR 2752 authorizes Congress to award a commemorative gold medal to honor the First Rhode Island Regiment, a Revolutionary War unit historically notable for being one of the first integrated military units in U.S. history, including men of African and Indigenous descent who were granted freedom upon enlistment. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, will be displayed at the Rhode Island State Library, with Congress encouraging broader public access to locations tied to the regiment. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund. This is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the regiment's service during the Revolutionary War, not a policy change affecting current legislation or constituents.

Maddy summaryHR 3504 requires the VA Secretary to conduct annual surveys of staff at VA medical centers about security conditions, including criminal activity, vacant police positions, equipment adequacy, and training. The bill mandates that the VA submit annual reports to Congress detailing survey results, analyses of security weaknesses, and action plans with specific goals and deadlines. It directly affects VA medical center staff, VA leadership, and congressional committees overseeing veterans' affairs. The law creates a new reporting mechanism but does not change existing security policies or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to automate processing of temporary disability rating claims for veterans with specific service-connected disabilities during appeals. It directs the VA to use existing medical records from its data systems to speed up decisions, while maintaining VA staff involvement in eligibility reviews. Manual processing remains available if medical evidence is insufficient or incompatible with the new system. The change focuses on streamlining administrative processes without altering eligibility criteria.

Stopping Teachers Unions from Damaging Education Needs Today Act or the STUDENT Act This bill revises the federal charter for the National Education Association. The bill specifies that the corporation and its state and local affiliates may only accept payment of membership dues or fees from a state or local government employee if the employee (1) has been notified of the employee's right under the First Amendment to refrain from membership and payment of associated dues or fees, (2) has clearly and affirmatively consented to membership and payment of associated dues or fees, and (3) has authorized the transmittal of membership dues or fees without the use of payroll deduction. Further, the corporation and its state or local affiliates must process and honor cancellation requests for membership or payment of dues as soon as practicable following receipt of the request. The bill also outlines requirements for the corporation, such as  prohibiting the corporation or its directors or officers from contributing to, supporting, or participating in political activities; requiring each officer of the corporation to be a U.S. citizen;  requiring the corporation to submit annual reports to Congress; prohibiting the corporation and its affiliates from requiring staff, officers, affiliates, or members to affirm, adopt, or adhere to certain principles related to race or sex; and prohibiting the corporation and its affiliates from calling or participating in a strike, work stoppage, or slowdown affecting a state or local government. The bill repeals the corporation's exemption from District of Columbia property taxes.

Maddy summaryHR 4696, the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act, prohibits foreign officials from demanding bribes from U.S. companies while in the United States. It makes it illegal for foreign officials to seek or accept anything of value to influence official acts, omit duties, or confer improper advantages related to U.S. business. The law imposes penalties of up to $250,000, 15 years in prison, or both for violations. It also requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports detailing enforcement efforts, foreign bribery demands against U.S. entities, and resource needs for effective implementation. The bill directly affects U.S. businesses (issuers or domestic concerns) operating internationally and foreign officials who may attempt to extort them.

Maddy summaryHR 4721, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, makes a permanent the 20% tax deduction for eligible small business owners under Section 199A of the tax code. This provision directly affects pass-through business owners (like S-corps, partnerships, and sole proprietorships) who qualify for the deduction. The bill achieves this by removing the temporary expiration language (subsection (i)) from the existing tax code provision. The key change is ending the need for annual congressional extensions of this deduction, providing long-term tax certainty for small businesses.