Sen. Elissa Slotkin

Maddy summaryThe Credit for Caring Act of 2024 creates a new federal tax credit for family caregivers. It allows eligible caregivers to claim a credit equal to 30% of qualified caregiving expenses (like home modifications, medical supplies, or respite care) exceeding $2,000 per year, capped at $5,000 annually. To qualify, caregivers must earn over $7,500 in income and provide care for a relative (like a spouse or parent) certified by a healthcare provider as needing long-term care for at least 180 days. The credit phases out for higher earners, with a $75,000 income threshold for single filers and $150,000 for joint returns.

Maddy summaryHR 7108, the Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2024, authorizes federal grants to help high-need public schools hire and retain mental health staff. It targets schools that meet specific criteria: being in the top 15% of need (based on student poverty or other metrics) and failing to meet minimum staffing ratios for counselors, psychologists, or social workers. Grants fund recruitment (through salary stipends or loan repayment), retention (via professional development or incentives), and evidence-based mental health services, with grantees required to contribute 25% matching funds and report annually on provider numbers, demographics, and student-to-provider ratios. The program runs through 2029 and requires all services to comply with privacy laws like FERPA.

Maddy summaryThe Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act of 2024 requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct biennial studies assessing cyber threats and vulnerabilities across the entire food supply chain - including farmers, processors, distributors, and retailers - and submit reports to Congress detailing risks to food safety, public health, and national security. It also mandates annual cross-sector simulations with agencies like Homeland Security and Health and Human Services to test emergency responses to food-related cyber incidents, involving government and private sector stakeholders. The bill authorizes $1 million annually (2024-2028) to fund these studies and simulations, aiming to identify gaps and improve coordination. These requirements directly affect federal agencies, state/local governments, and food industry entities responsible for food production, distribution, and security.

Maddy summaryHRES 976 is a resolution recognizing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) for their 150+ year contributions to healthcare. It highlights CRNAs as essential providers of anesthesia and pain management, especially in rural areas and military/veterans' healthcare settings, where they administer over 50 million anesthetics annually. The resolution encourages public and professional recognition of CRNAs during National CRNA Week (January 21-27, 2024) and urges stakeholders to utilize CRNAs' full potential. As a non-binding commemorative resolution, it does not create new policies or directly affect healthcare delivery.

Maddy summaryHR 7056, the Access to Family Building Act, establishes federal rights for individuals to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) like IVF without unreasonable restrictions, directly affecting patients seeking fertility treatments and health care providers offering ART services. The bill prohibits states from imposing limitations on ART that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures, fail to advance safety, or unduly restrict access, while allowing health and safety regulations that are necessary and least restrictive. It creates federal enforcement mechanisms, including lawsuits by the Attorney General or affected individuals to challenge violating state laws, and preempts conflicting state regulations. The bill explicitly preserves state authority over health/safety regulations and does not alter existing state insurance coverage laws for ART.

Maddy summaryThis bill maintains the existing minimum wage rate for H-2A agricultural workers in each state as it stood on December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2025. It directly affects farms that hire H-2A visa workers by requiring the Department of Labor to use these state-specific rates for wage calculations during this period. The bill also clarifies that wage determinations for these workers must consider their primary job duties, especially when workers perform multiple tasks. This provides stability for farms relying on seasonal agricultural labor without changing the current wage structure.

Maddy summaryThe CROP for Farming Act (HR 5922) amends conservation programs under the Food Security Act of 1985 to include climate-focused goals. It updates eligibility for conservation incentive contracts by adding greenhouse gas emissions reductions (like methane or nitrous oxide) and carbon storage in soil or plants as qualifying practices. This directly affects farmers participating in USDA conservation programs who may now pursue contracts centered on these climate benefits. The key change modifies existing program language to explicitly allow these metrics as part of conservation planning.

Maddy summaryThe Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2023 establishes a new USDA office to provide technical assistance for urban and innovative agricultural operations, including rooftop farms, hydroponics, and community gardens. It authorizes competitive grants with mandatory annual funding starting at $15 million in 2024 (rising to $50 million by 2028) to support projects improving fresh food access in underserved areas, prioritizing microgrants for individual urban farmers and initiatives serving disadvantaged communities. The bill requires the USDA to collect and report data on urban farming locations, demographics, and production methods like vertical farming and aquaponics. These provisions directly affect urban farmers, community organizations, and local governments working to expand food production in cities.

This resolution supports the designation of National Teach Ag Day and recognizes the important role of agricultural education and the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create and post online information about energy-efficient pumping systems, detailing cost savings, energy reductions, water conservation, and carbon benefits for agricultural use. It also mandates a user-friendly online tool for farmers to input data about their current systems and estimate potential savings from upgrades. Additionally, the bill directs the USDA to establish training for energy auditors on pumping system efficiency and amend the Conservation Stewardship Program to include energy-efficient pumping systems as a qualifying activity. These provisions directly support farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture operations in making informed decisions about irrigation and water management infrastructure improvements.