Rep. Jennifer A. Kiggans

Maddy summaryThe RISEE Act of 2023 creates a National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund to support coastal communities and ecosystems. It allocates 37.5% of offshore wind revenue directly to eligible coastal states using a formula based on tidal shoreline length, coastal population density, and distance from offshore wind projects. States must use these funds for coastal protection, habitat restoration, infrastructure, or fisheries research, with strict annual reporting requirements to the Department of the Interior. The bill prohibits using these funds for litigation or creating marine monuments, ensuring resources directly support coastal community needs.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Medicare should be strengthened and should not be used to finance Democrats' 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 expands health care coverage under TRICARE for military dependents. It eliminates a separate premium for young adults aged 21-26 enrolled in the TRICARE Young Adult Program, meaning they will no longer pay an extra fee for coverage. The bill also removes an eligibility restriction that previously limited coverage for some dependents in this age group. These changes directly affect military service members' adult children and spouses who rely on TRICARE Young Adult coverage. The policy update simplifies enrollment and reduces out-of-pocket costs for these beneficiaries.

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 summaryHR 987 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring Golda Meir, Israel's first female Prime Minister, and the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Israel relations. It specifies three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar clad coins (max 750,000), with detailed weight and composition requirements. All coins will include Golda Meir's image, her name, and commemorative inscriptions, and will be sold during 2026. A surcharge ($35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, $5 for half-dollars) will be paid to the American Friends of Kiryat Sanz Laniado Hospital Inc. to support its hospital operations.

Maddy summaryHR 976, the TCJA Permanency Act, makes permanent many tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that were scheduled to expire after 2025. The bill affects individual taxpayers by keeping lower tax rates, higher standard deductions, increased child tax credits, and other key changes permanently. Key provisions include permanent modifications to income tax brackets, repeal of personal exemptions, limits on state and local tax deductions, and increased estate and gift tax exemptions. These changes would prevent the tax code from reverting to pre-TCJA rates and rules for millions of taxpayers.

This resolution recognizes that current retirees and those nearing retirement expect certain Social Security commitments to be made. It further expresses the policy of the House of Representatives to exclude cuts to Social Security from debt ceiling negotiations.

Maddy summaryThe Retain Skilled Veterans Act (HR 939) amends federal law to restrict appointments of retired military members to specific high-level positions within the Department of Defense (DoD). It limits such appointments to roles classified at or above GS-14 (a high pay grade) in the DoD’s excepted or competitive service, removing a prior exception that allowed broader "management" appointments. This change directly affects retired veterans seeking senior DoD roles, requiring them to qualify for the highest-level positions under this rule. The bill ensures these appointments apply only to defined senior roles, not routine or lower-level positions.

This resolution condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents. The resolution also expresses support for the people of Iran who are legitimately defending their rights for freedom against repression and condemns the killing of Iranian protesters by the Iranian regime.