Rep. Jennifer A. Kiggans

Maddy summaryHR 4045, the Vietnam Veteran Commemoration Fund Act of 2025, amends Section 598 of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act to make the commemoration program for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War mandatory. The bill changes language from "may conduct" to "shall conduct" for the Secretary of Defense, requiring them to carry out the existing commemorative program starting November 11, 2025. This procedural change ensures the program continues without discretionary choice, directly affecting the Department of Defense's implementation of the commemoration. It does not create new funding or alter benefits, focusing solely on mandating the existing process.

Maddy summaryGio’s Law (HR 4019) creates a federal grant program to help state and local law enforcement agencies purchase epinephrine auto-injectors and other emergency epinephrine products, and to train officers on recognizing symptoms of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and correctly administering the medication. The bill requires the Attorney General to develop standardized training within 180 days of enactment and mandates that states certify officers are protected from civil liability when using epinephrine in good faith. It authorizes $25 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030 to fund these grants and training. Additionally, the law requires an annual report tracking how often law enforcement officers administer epinephrine during emergencies.

Maddy summaryHR 3946, the FIGHT Act of 2025, amends the Animal Welfare Act to specifically prohibit gambling on animal fighting events and restrict the interstate transport of roosters used in such ventures. It defines "rooster" as male chickens over six months old and makes it unlawful to sponsor, exhibit, attend (for those under 16), or gamble on animal fighting events - whether in-person or broadcast. The bill creates a civil enforcement mechanism allowing any person to file a lawsuit to stop violations after providing 60 days' notice to authorities, with potential fines up to $5,000 per violation. It also establishes seizure of property used to facilitate violations and clarifies that state laws on animal fighting remain in effect unless directly conflicting with federal provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill blocks the U.S. Defense Department from signing new contracts for software source code with companies having specific ties to China. It prohibits contracts with entities that own or fund AI facilities in China, share source code allowing Chinese reverse engineering, or operate data centers in China for such software. The Secretary of Defense may waive the ban for national security reasons, but the rule only applies to contracts entered into within three years of the law's enactment. It directly affects defense contractors and tech firms seeking to provide sensitive software source code to the Pentagon.

Maddy summaryHR 3989, the Fluent Forces Act, requires the Secretary of Defense to submit annual reports starting in 2025 through 2030 on recruiting efforts to increase enrollment at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC). These reports must track which high schools military recruiters target, how many students from those schools join the military and attend DLIFLC, and challenges like access to schools or follow-up with students. The bill mandates recommendations for improving recruitment awareness of linguist careers and systematic documentation of school engagement. It directly affects military recruiters, high schools, and future linguists in the Armed Forces by focusing on measurable progress in building language skills for national security. The legislation aims to strengthen military language training through structured recruitment data, not by creating new programs.

Maddy summaryHR 3981 would grant a federal charter to the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), a California-based nonprofit already recognized as a veterans service organization under IRS rules. This charter would formalize VAREP's status as a federally chartered entity under Title 36 of the U.S. Code, requiring it to maintain its tax-exempt status under the IRS Code to keep the charter. The bill outlines VAREP's purposes, including advocating for veterans' homeownership, providing financial literacy education, offering housing counseling, and connecting real estate professionals with veterans' needs, while prohibiting political activities, stock issuance, or profit distribution. This is a procedural bill focused on organizational structure, not policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to help public schools implement phone-free policies during school hours. It requires states to adopt a policy prohibiting student phone use (with specific exceptions for health needs, disabilities, English learners, and documented instructional needs) to qualify for funding. Grants can only be used to purchase secure storage solutions like lockers or signal-blocking containers for devices. The program allocates funds based on prior Title I education funding, with minimum allocations for smaller states. It directly affects public K-12 schools through their state education agencies.

Maddy summaryHR 4006, the Mission UNPLUGGED Act, prohibits students in Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools from using personal electronic devices like smartphones during regular school hours. The policy allows exceptions for emergencies, medical needs, disabilities (as documented in IEPs or 504 plans), English language learning support, and extracurricular activities. DODEA must implement the policy within 180 days of enactment, with $1.2 million authorized for 2026 to fund device storage solutions and support, and must submit annual reports on implementation, costs, and effects on student performance and well-being.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows military departments to reconsider awards of decorations (like medals) that weren't given on time because service records were classified or restricted for national security reasons. It directly affects service members (in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Space Force) who served on active duty from 1940 onward and whose records were withheld due to classification. The bill requires military departments to begin reviewing such requests within 30 days and complete the review within one year, waiving standard time limits for these specific cases. It also mandates detailed reports to Congress and the President (for Medal of Honor requests) on each review's findings and recommendations.

Maddy summaryThe Patriots Over Politics Act (HR 3619) allows veterans discharged between August 2021 and January 2023 solely for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine to transfer their earned educational benefits to eligible dependents. Veterans must initiate the transfer within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. Dependents can use the transferred benefits only after the veteran completed at least six years of military service - a requirement already met by these veterans prior to separation. This provision directly affects veterans separated for vaccine refusal during the specified period, providing a pathway to pass on unused education benefits.