Rep. John James

Maddy summaryThe Road To Recovery Act (HR 4101) increases federal funding for a national center supporting peer-led addiction recovery services. It amends the Public Health Service Act to raise annual funding from $1 million to $2 million for the National Peer-Run Training and Technical Assistance Center for Addiction Recovery Support, covering fiscal years 2024 through 2028. This center provides training and resources to peer support specialists working directly with individuals in addiction recovery. The bill directly affects the center's operations and the people receiving addiction recovery support services it helps deliver.

Maddy summaryHRES 272 is a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Russia to immediately release Paul Whelan, a U.S. citizen and Michigan resident imprisoned since 2018 on espionage charges without evidence. It demands Russia provide Whelan with consular access, ensure due process rights, and release him from his 16-year labor camp sentence. The resolution also thanks Canada, Ireland, and the U.K. for their efforts to secure his freedom and expresses sympathy to his family. As a formal statement of congressional position, it does not compel action but underscores the House's stance on Whelan's case.

Maddy summaryThe School Guardian Act of 2023 creates a federal grant program to fund armed law enforcement officers at K-12 schools. It directs $80 billion in redirected IRS funds to provide grants to states, which then distribute subgrants to local law enforcement agencies to hire full-time officers for school security. Each school must have at least one assigned officer under written agreements between law enforcement agencies and schools. States must report annually on grant usage, including the number of schools and officers covered, with unused funds returned to the federal government.

Maddy summaryHR 3099 establishes a new Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords within the State Department, directly affecting U.S. diplomatic efforts and coordination. The envoy, appointed by the President with Senate confirmation, will coordinate U.S. government activities to expand diplomatic, economic, and security ties between Israel and Muslim-majority countries, including encouraging nations without formal relations with Israel to establish them. Key duties include strengthening existing Accords partnerships, fostering regional cooperation on issues like trade and water security, and providing diplomatic support for Israel’s regional engagement. The envoy must submit annual reports to Congress detailing specific diplomatic efforts and progress with partner countries.

This bill includes phosphate and potash on the Department of the Interior's final list of critical minerals. (Under current law, Interior and other departments are required to conduct a variety of efforts to ensure a secure and reliable supply chain of critical minerals.) Interior must evaluate current policies relating to permitting and leasing of projects to develop critical minerals and issue recommendations to Congress to support domestic production of such commodities.

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.

Maddy summaryHR 3892, the Improving Mental Health and Drug Treatment Act of 2023, permanently allows Medicaid coverage for individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders in certain residential facilities (previously limited to a temporary 2019-2023 period). It extends the maximum stay in these facilities from 30 to 45 days and requires states to establish standards for appropriate care placement and a review process for facility compliance. States must also conduct a one-time assessment within 12 months of approval to evaluate treatment availability across care levels and medication-assisted treatment services. This bill directly affects Medicaid programs, states administering them, and individuals receiving care in qualifying residential facilities for mental health and substance use disorders.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to criminalize "swatting" - making false reports to trigger emergency responses like police raids. It imposes criminal penalties (up to life in prison if death occurs) for intentionally spreading false information that causes emergency deployments, such as falsely reporting violent crimes. It also allows victims or responding agencies to sue for costs incurred due to these false reports. The law specifically covers false claims about serious crimes, threats to public safety, or emergencies that prompt police or emergency services action.

Maddy summaryHR 3855 establishes the National Digital Reserve Corps within the General Services Administration to recruit digital and cybersecurity professionals for temporary assignments to federal agencies. It requires participants to commit to a 3-year service term (minimum 30 days annually) with annual compensation capped at $10,000, while agencies receive support for needs like cybersecurity, data management, and digital project development. The program authorizes $30 million for implementation, mandates GSA to manage recruitment and assignments, and requires annual congressional reports tracking reservist numbers, agency requests, and assignment outcomes. Covered agencies include major departments like the U.S. Postal Service and the Executive Office of the President.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from changing its anesthesia care policies to allow nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to provide anesthesia independently without a physician anesthesiologist. It specifically blocks implementation of a 2016 proposed rule that would have expanded CRNAs' authority in VA facilities. The law maintains current requirements that physician anesthesiologists must oversee or provide anesthesia care for veterans during surgical procedures. Emergency orders for veteran safety during surgery remain permitted under the bill's exception clause.