Rep. Juan Ciscomani

Maddy summaryHR 1388 authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to honor the 1865 Sultana steamboat disaster, the deadliest maritime tragedy in U.S. history. It specifies three coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar) with defined weights and compositions, to be sold at face value plus surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin, respectively). All surcharges collected will fund the Sultana Historical Preservation Society for museum development, including exhibits, artifact preservation, and facility construction. The coins are legal tender but intended for collectors, with sales limited to a one-year period starting January 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes pay equity for federal firefighters by adjusting how their retirement benefits are calculated and setting a standard workweek. It requires retirement annuities to include overtime hours worked as part of a firefighter's regular schedule (e.g., overtime during standard shifts), rather than excluding them. The bill also mandates a maximum 60-hour regular workweek for federal firefighters, set by the Office of Personnel Management within one year of enactment. These changes directly affect federal firefighters, aiming to improve pay comparability with municipal firefighters and other federal employees while supporting recruitment and retention.

Maddy summaryHR 1222, the Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023, authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor the six all-Black cavalry and infantry regiments established in 1866 (later consolidated into four regiments). The medal recognizes their service from the post-Civil War era through World War II, including roles in frontier protection, national park preservation, and combat during major conflicts. After awarding the medal, it will be permanently displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. This bill is purely commemorative, with no new policies or direct impacts on current laws or individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 1218, the Expediting Israeli Aerial Refueling Act of 2023, requires the U.S. Air Force to train Israeli pilots and ground personnel to operate KC-46 aircraft within 60 days of enactment, including participation in the U.S. Military Personnel Exchange Program. The bill mandates the rotational deployment of U.S. KC-46 aircraft to Israel for up to five years or until Israel commissions its own KC-46s, with each deployment lasting at least 270 days annually. It directly affects the Israeli Air Force by enabling their use of U.S. refueling capabilities and the U.S. military through specific training and deployment obligations. The law expires ten years after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 1200, the National Right-to-Work Act, prohibits requiring workers to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment in both private-sector workplaces (covered by the National Labor Relations Act) and railroad industries (covered by the Railway Labor Act). The bill amends key sections of these laws to eliminate provisions that allowed union security agreements, meaning workers in unionized settings would no longer be forced to pay dues to retain their jobs. This directly affects employees in unionized workplaces across the U.S., particularly those in industries with existing union contracts that included mandatory dues. The law changes the legal framework to ensure union membership and dues payment remain voluntary for all workers.

Maddy summaryHJRES 33 is a symbolic congressional resolution acknowledging Vietnam War veterans' service and formally apologizing for their mistreatment upon returning home. It recognizes the sacrifice of over 58,000 service members killed and 300,000 wounded during the war, including veterans exposed to harmful herbicides like Agent Orange. The resolution urges the President to acknowledge this mistreatment as part of the Vietnam War Commemoration and issues a formal apology on behalf of the American people. It also calls for increased educational efforts in schools to highlight veterans' courage and the lack of support they faced after the war. (Note: This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, so it has no direct legal or financial impact.)

Maddy summaryHR 1088, the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to honor Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968) and the first Black candidate for a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image, which will be presented by Congress and then permanently displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to the public to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund. This bill commemorates Chisholm's legacy and achievements without creating new laws or affecting any current policies.

Maddy summaryThe HELP Copays Act (HR 830) changes how health insurance plans calculate patient cost-sharing. It requires that payments made by third parties (like pharmacies, charities, or discount programs) toward medical costs count toward a patient's deductible, copay, or out-of-pocket limit. This directly affects insured individuals who receive financial assistance, discounts, or product vouchers for healthcare expenses. The law ensures these external payments reduce the patient's actual out-of-pocket costs more quickly, aligning with existing Affordable Care Act and Public Health Service Act requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor all U.S. Army Dustoff crews who served during the Vietnam War (1962-1973). It recognizes their critical role in evacuating nearly 900,000 wounded personnel, including U.S., South Vietnamese, and allied forces, under extreme combat conditions. The medal, designed with input from the Secretary of Defense, will be presented to the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum for permanent display. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover costs, but the primary action is the commemorative recognition of these crews' service.

Maddy summaryThe EAGLES Act of 2023 reauthorizes and expands the U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) to prevent targeted violence, particularly in schools. It directs the NTAC to provide training, research, and consultation on threat assessment to schools, law enforcement, and mental health professionals, with a focus on early intervention for concerning behaviors. The bill allocates $10 million annually (2024-2028) for these efforts, requiring the Center to develop state-specific training plans and report on outcomes like the number of schools trained. It directly affects school districts, educators, and community safety agencies by standardizing evidence-based prevention programs, avoiding criminal justice involvement for at-risk youth.