Rep. Eric A. "Rick" Crawford

Maddy summaryThe PLUS for Veterans Act of 2023 clarifies and updates rules for veterans' benefit claims under the Department of Veterans Affairs. It sets a $12,500 annual fee cap (adjusted for inflation) for agents or attorneys representing veterans, prohibits charging fees for medical exams, and prohibits unauthorized fees with penalties including fines or up to one year in prison. The bill directly affects veterans seeking benefits, their legal representatives, and the VA by standardizing fee agreements, requiring VA reports on agent/attorney suspensions, and ensuring veterans can access free services from VA-recognized organizations. Key provisions include banning fees for medical reports and requiring clear fee disclosures to veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill terminates the national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020, under the National Emergencies Act. It ends the executive branch's authority to use emergency powers related to that specific declaration. The resolution passed both chambers in early 2023 and took effect April 10, 2023, without creating new policies or affecting specific groups.

Maddy summaryHR 1812 requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to study whether the Universal Service Fund (USF), which funds broadband access in rural and low-income areas, should expand who pays into the fund to ensure fairness. Within 120 days of enactment, the FCC must complete this study and report findings to Congress. By one year after enactment, the FCC must also develop new rules to reform the USF contribution system, specifically expanding who contributes. This directly affects telecommunications companies that pay into the USF, as the changes could shift funding responsibilities, potentially impacting broadband costs for consumers and businesses. The bill aims to make the funding system more equitable without specifying final changes.

Maddy summaryHR 1581, the America Works Act of 2023, modifies work requirement exemptions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It expands direct exemptions to include individuals medically certified as unfit for work, parents or caregivers of children under 7, and pregnant women, while removing a specific enforcement clause (Section 6(o)(4)(A)(ii)). The bill adjusts existing exemption rules to clarify that certain exemptions apply retroactively to cases beginning before the bill's enactment date. These changes directly affect SNAP recipients who would otherwise face work requirements under federal law.

Maddy summaryHR 1489, the SNAP Back Act of 2023, repeals a provision that previously denied SNAP (food stamp) benefits to individuals with certain past drug-related convictions. The bill directly affects people who were barred from accessing food assistance due to this specific rule in the 1996 welfare law. It removes the legal barrier by amending Section 115 of that law to eliminate references to "benefits" and revise the denial language. This change would restore eligibility for SNAP benefits to qualifying individuals with past drug convictions, without altering other SNAP eligibility requirements.

Protect American Energy From China Act This bill prohibits federal funds from being used for implementing or administering the memorandum of understanding reached in 2011 between the Department of Energy and the Chinese Academy of Sciences on facilitating cooperation in nuclear energy science and technology.

Maddy summaryHR 1376, the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023, requires the Director of National Intelligence to declassify and publicly release specific information related to the origin of the pandemic within 90 days of enactment. It directs the declassification of details about the Wuhan Institute of Virology’s activities (including military ties and pre-pandemic coronavirus research) and health records of researchers who fell ill in autumn 2019, including names, symptoms, and roles. The bill mandates an unclassified report to Congress containing this information, with only minimal redactions for source protection. This legislation directly affects the Director of National Intelligence and aims to make origin-related information available to the public and Congress for pandemic prevention planning.

Maddy summaryHR 1818, the Aviation Workforce Development Act, expands tax-advantaged savings plans (529 plans) to cover costs for specific aviation training programs. It allows funds from these plans to pay for tuition, fees, and required materials at FAA-certified aviation maintenance technician schools (Part 147) or commercial pilot training programs (Part 61 or 141). This directly affects students pursuing careers as aircraft maintenance technicians or commercial pilots by making these training costs more affordable through existing tax-advantaged savings. The bill amends the tax code to include these programs under "qualified higher education expenses" for 529 plan distributions.

Purple Heart Freedom to Work Act This bill increases the monthly income limit that is used to determine whether certain Purple Heart recipients are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Specifically, when making such determinations with respect to Purple Heart recipients who are entitled to SSDI benefits based on combat-related injuries, the Social Security Administration must use the limit that applies to individuals who are blind rather than the lower limit that applies to other SSDI recipients. In addition, the bill phases out SSDI benefits for these Purple Heart recipients, with benefits reduced by $1 for every $4 of earnings in excess of the limit.

Maddy summaryHR 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, would require public schools receiving federal funding to provide parents with greater access to educational information. The bill mandates that schools post curricula online or widely distribute it to parents, include school budgets in report cards, and provide specific information about school activities including violent incidents and plans to eliminate gifted programs. It also guarantees parents the right to meet with teachers twice a year, review library materials, and address school boards. These requirements would apply to all local educational agencies and schools covered by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill amends existing education laws to strengthen parental transparency and involvement in their children's education.