Rep. Jennifer A. Kiggans

Maddy summaryThe Building Chips in America Act of 2023 streamlines environmental reviews for semiconductor manufacturing projects receiving federal financial assistance under the CHIPS Act. It exempts certain facility construction, expansion, or modernization projects from standard National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews if they meet specific criteria, such as being on existing sites with limited additional development. The bill allows states to assume some environmental review responsibilities with federal oversight, requires reliance on prior environmental studies, and establishes specific categorical exclusions for semiconductor projects. These changes aim to accelerate semiconductor manufacturing facility construction by reducing regulatory delays for projects eligible for federal assistance.

National Nursing Shortage Task Force Act of 2023 This bill establishes a National Nursing Shortage Task Force to recommend policies for addressing the nursing shortage in the United States, particularly in designated health professional shortage areas. The task force terminates 90 days after it submits its recommendations.

Maddy summaryHR 3696 is a procedural bill that names the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lynchburg, Virginia, as the "Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic." The bill directs all federal references in laws, regulations, maps, and documents to use this new name. It does not change the clinic's operations, funding, or services. This is a symbolic renaming effort with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on veterans' benefits. The bill affects only the official designation of this specific clinic location.

Maddy summaryThe EHR Program RESET Act of 2023 establishes a new program to modernize the Department of Veterans Affairs' electronic health record system, creating a dedicated program office within the Veterans Health Administration. The bill sets specific performance metrics that facilities must meet before continuing EHR deployment, requires termination of the current Oracle-Cerner contract for training and change management, and mandates new reporting requirements on system stability, staff satisfaction, and interoperability. It also creates an advisory subcommittee of health care experts to provide guidance on the EHR modernization strategy and requires detailed reports on contract savings, system performance, and alternatives to the current EHR technology. The legislation aims to improve veteran care quality, provider satisfaction, and system security while reducing costs and preventing vendor lock-in.

Maddy summaryHR 4323 delays any changes to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) current rule limiting ship speeds to protect North Atlantic right whales. The bill requires NOAA to wait until two conditions are met: (1) new whale protection protocols from the 2022 Coast Guard Act are fully developed and deployed, and (2) the Secretary submits a report to four congressional committees detailing how those protocols will shape future rule updates. This directly affects NOAA's regulatory authority and vessel operators who must follow the existing speed rules. The law does not change the current rule but pauses any amendments until these specific steps are completed.

Maddy summaryHR 4335, the VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2023, requires mortgage lenders to include specific information about VA home loan programs in standard mortgage disclosures. The bill amends the National Housing Act to mandate that lenders provide details on VA loans (guaranteed under Title 38) alongside other loan options, including assumptions about prevailing interest rates. This change directly affects lenders processing VA-guaranteed mortgages, ensuring borrowers receive clearer comparisons between VA loans and other financing. The law does not require lenders to verify borrower eligibility for VA loans, only to include the specified disclosure language.

Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act This bill designates the Honor and Remember Flag, created by Honor and Remember, Inc., as a national symbol to honor service members who died in the line of duty and specifies federal locations and dates for its display.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Veteran Community Care Act expands access to mental health and substance-use services through the Veterans Community Care Program for veterans who cannot get timely care in VA residential treatment facilities. It requires community providers to meet state licensing and accreditation standards and prohibits the VA from denying community care solely because community providers cannot meet the same wait time standards as VA facilities. The bill also mandates the VA to track and report on requests for mental health care, including approvals, denials, and appeals. This applies directly to veterans facing delays in accessing VA residential mental health programs.

Maddy summaryHRES 499 is a symbolic House resolution expressing support for designating June 12, 2023, as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day." It honors women veterans' service throughout U.S. military history, highlighting their current representation in the armed forces (17% active duty as of 2021) and their growing numbers in the veteran population. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but formally recognizes women veterans' contributions through a commemorative designation. This is a procedural resolution with no binding legal effect, solely serving to acknowledge their service.

This resolution states that BridgeUSA programs are vital to the economy and to U.S. national interests. The resolution also states that U.S. embassies and consulates should prioritize processing J-1 visas for such programs. (BridgeUSA is the name for what was formerly known as the Exchange Visitor Program. Participants from other countries come to the United States to participate in various exchange programs, such as exchange programs for professors, trainees, interns, and au pairs.)