Rep. Carol D. Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2365, Public Law 118-66) directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Parkinson’s Project. It requires HHS to create and update a coordinated national plan for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and researching Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (including multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), while coordinating federal research and care efforts across agencies like the NIH, CDC, and VA. The law mandates annual progress assessments, an advisory council with patient advocates and diverse experts, and annual reports to Congress on federal Parkinson’s programs and recommendations for improvement. It affects federal agencies managing Parkinson’s-related programs and aims to improve care coordination and research efficiency for patients and caregivers, with the law sunsetting in 2035.

Maddy summaryHRES 1330 is a non-binding resolution supporting Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June. It recognizes the significant impact of Alzheimer’s disease on millions of Americans, including high prevalence among women and racial/ethnic minorities. The resolution encourages the public to educate themselves about Alzheimer’s, advocate for research and support services, and offer assistance to affected individuals, families, and caregivers. It does not create new programs, funding, or legal obligations. The resolution is directed at raising public awareness and fostering community support during the designated month.

Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Modernization Act of 2024  This bill revises funding requirements for low-income taxpayer clinics (i.e., clinics that assist taxpayers with tax return preparation). It eliminates the $100,000 grant funding cap per clinic and authorizes the Internal Revenue Service to lower the matching fund requirement (but not below 25%) if lowering such requirement would make services more accessible to taxpayers.

Orbital Sustainability Act of 2024 or the ORBITS Act of 2024 This bill directs specified agencies to take actions to remediate orbital debris (human-made space objects that are no longer in use and can harm orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities). The Department of Commerce must publish and periodically update a list of orbital debris that may be remediated to reduce the risk of harm to orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities. In addition, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) must (1) establish a demonstration program to foster the development of technologies to remediate the orbital debris on the list, and (2) carry out other research and development activities to advance technologies for remediating orbital debris. NASA (and other relevant agencies) may also contract for remediation services to support the commercial availability of such services. Additionally, the National Space Council must update the Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices within 90 days of the enactment of the bill and update them periodically thereafter. The updates must address matters including satellite constellations and other planned space systems, collision risks, and disposal of space systems after missions. The updates must inform (1) regulations of other agencies concerning orbital debris, and (2) bilateral and multilateral discussions with other countries concerning certain space activities. Finally, Commerce must facilitate the development of standard practices to coordinate on-orbit space traffic. Upon completion of the practices, Commerce and other federal departments must promote their adoption and use for space missions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Northern Border Security Review Act to establish a new annual deadline for threat analysis (September 2, 2025, and each year after) and requires the Department of Homeland Security to update its northern border strategy within 90 days of each analysis. It mandates that the Secretary provide a classified briefing to congressional committees within 30 days of each threat analysis and develop performance measures for U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations to secure the northern border in air and maritime areas within six months of enactment. The bill directly affects the Department of Homeland Security and congressional committees by imposing specific reporting deadlines and review requirements. These changes focus on improving the frequency and structure of security assessments without altering existing border security operations.

Maddy summaryThe NEST Act (HR 8715) creates a federal pilot program to provide newborn supply kits to mothers in underserved communities. The kits, containing essentials like diapers, postpartum supplies, blood pressure monitors, and health resources, are distributed through grants to community organizations or hospitals. Priority goes to mothers in areas with limited maternal care access (e.g., rural regions or high-mortality "Delta" communities) and those earning under 185% of the poverty line. The program, funded at $5 million annually through 2029, requires annual reports tracking distribution demographics and health outcomes to Congress.

Maddy summaryHR 537 authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor 60 diplomats who saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust by issuing visas and passports against their governments' orders, risking expulsion and personal danger. The medal will be presented to the next of kin of these diplomats, alongside representatives from their home countries, and permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This legislation recognizes the diplomats' humanitarian actions without creating new government programs or altering existing laws.

Maddy summaryHR 8693, the "No American Land for Communist China Act," prohibits U.S. citizens or entities from purchasing real estate adjacent to specific federal lands if owned by the Chinese government or businesses with 25%+ Chinese government ownership. It directly affects Chinese government entities and Chinese-owned businesses operating in the U.S., restricting their ability to buy land near protected federal areas. The bill requires the President to take necessary actions to block such purchases, covering lands managed by Interior, Defense, Agriculture (Forest Service), or designated Indian country. This is a policy restriction, not a funding measure, targeting land transactions near sensitive federal properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays a Medicare policy that would have restricted coverage to only intravenous drugs for managing phosphate levels in kidney failure patients. It specifically postpones the implementation of the "oral-only" policy under Medicare's ESRD payment system until January 1, 2033, or until an intravenous drug for phosphate control receives FDA approval - whichever comes first. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who rely on oral medications for phosphate management. It ensures continued Medicare coverage for these oral drugs during the extended timeline, without changing the underlying payment structure.

Maddy summaryHR 5403, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing or facilitating central bank digital currency (CBDC) directly or indirectly to individuals through financial institutions. It specifically bans Federal Reserve banks from offering digital products to individuals, maintaining individual accounts, or using CBDC for monetary policy implementation. The bill also clarifies that its restrictions do not apply to existing physical cash or private, permissionless digital payment systems. This bill directly affects the Federal Reserve's ability to develop or deploy a government-run digital dollar. The law aims to prevent the Federal Reserve from creating a digital currency that could enable transaction tracking or government oversight of personal financial activity.