Rep. Elijah Crane

Maddy summaryThe Empowering Parents Act (HR 5327) requires public K-12 schools to obtain parental consent before implementing certain policies or teaching specific content. It prohibits schools from requiring masks, vaccines, or medical screenings for in-person attendance without parental approval, banning instruction on concepts like systemic racism or gender theory, and mandating biological-sex-based facilities (e.g., restrooms, locker rooms). The bill also restricts schools from compelling students to use specific pronouns without parental consent or exposing students to "radical gender theory" or "sexually explicit content." Parents can sue schools for violations within 30 days, seeking injunctions or damages, while schools must protect student privacy under FERPA.

Defending Students' Civil Rights Act of 2023 This bill prohibits federally funded programs or activities from being premised on certain principles relating to race or sex. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for programs or activities that are premised on principles such as that (1) one race or sex is inherently superior to another, (2) the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist, and (3) an individual bears responsibility for the past actions of others of the same race or sex. The bill includes the use of these principles as a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs or activities.

Maddy summaryHR 5326, the Empowering Local Curriculum Act, prohibits federally funded schools from being required to teach or promote specific concepts related to race and gender. It explicitly blocks the mandatory teaching of ideas such as the U.S. being "fundamentally racist," individuals being inherently racist based on race, or meritocracy being racist. The bill applies to institutions receiving federal funds under the Higher Education Act (for colleges) and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (for K-12 schools). It does not ban these topics but prevents federal requirements from mandating their inclusion in curricula.

Defending Veterans' Second Amendment Rights Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from transmitting personally identifiable information of veterans or their beneficiaries to the national instant criminal background check system utilized by licensed importers or dealers of firearms solely on the basis that a veteran has a service-connected disability.

Maddy summaryHR 5287, the Veterans Access to Direct Primary Care Act, creates a five-year pilot program allowing eligible enrolled veterans to use a Veterans Health Savings Account (VHSA) to pay for primary care services from non-VA providers through fixed-fee "direct primary care" arrangements. The VHSA covers primary care services, preventive screenings, and medications, but veterans using it cannot receive VA care for those same services during the pilot. The program, funded by existing VA Health Administration appropriations, requires annual reports to Congress and terminates after five years. It directly affects veterans enrolled in the VA patient system who choose this alternative care option.

Maddy summaryHR 5285, the Staff Safety Act, amends federal law to clarify that congressional staff (including Members' employees and committee staff) are exempt from Capitol Grounds firearm regulations under the same constitutional protections as Members of Congress. The bill requires the Capitol Police Board to revise its regulations within 90 days to align with this exemption, removing current restrictions preventing staff from carrying firearms on Capitol grounds. This directly affects congressional staff who are currently barred from carrying firearms under existing Capitol Police regulations. The bill bases its changes on Supreme Court rulings (Heller and Bruen) that affirm the Second Amendment applies to public carry outside the home. It focuses on legal clarification, not new safety measures or policy changes for staff.

Maddy summaryHR 5267, the WILLIS Act, prohibits all federal funding from being awarded to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. It also requires the repayment of all federal funds spent by the office after January 1, 2021, and rescinds any unobligated federal funds previously allocated to it. The bill directly affects only the Fulton County District Attorney's Office in Georgia. Its key provision is a complete funding cutoff and reimbursement requirement for federal money used by this specific office. The bill does not create new policy but restricts financial support to one local government entity.

Maddy summaryHRES 503 is a procedural resolution introduced to impeach President Joe Biden, alleging he abused his power and neglected his duties by failing to enforce immigration laws and secure the southern border. The resolution claims the administration released over 2 million illegal aliens without proper processing, ended border security programs like the Migrant Protection Protocols, and contributed to a fentanyl crisis resulting in over 100,000 deaths. As an impeachment resolution, it does not enact policy changes but would, if passed by the House, send the articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial. This is a formal procedural step, not a legislative bill with direct policy effects.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act to clarify that households must meet existing income and asset limits to qualify for food assistance benefits (like SNAP). It directly affects individuals and families applying for or receiving federal food aid by requiring strict adherence to current eligibility criteria under the law. The key provision explicitly states that households failing to meet these income and resource standards - already part of the program - cannot receive benefits. The amendment takes effect one year after enactment, with existing certification periods unaffected. This change enforces current rules without creating new restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents U.S. sanctions against Iraq-related individuals from being lifted if the national emergency related to Iraq ends. It requires that people listed on the Treasury's sanctions list (under Iraq programs) stay on the list and that existing sanctions cannot be waived solely due to the emergency's termination. The bill directly affects individuals and entities already subject to these sanctions. It ensures current sanctions remain in place regardless of changes to the emergency status.