Rep. Sara Jacobs

Maddy summaryThe DISCLOSE Act of 2023 would increase transparency in political spending by requiring organizations making campaign-related disbursements over $10,000 to disclose the names and addresses of their major donors, including the top five funders for political communications. It would close loopholes allowing foreign nationals to secretly fund election activities through corporations or other entities by expanding the definition of prohibited foreign contributions. The bill would mandate "stand by every ad" disclosure requirements for political communications across all media, including audio, video, and internet ads, requiring clear identification of funders. It would also require reporting of disbursements related to Federal judicial nominations, which currently aren't subject to disclosure requirements. These provisions would apply to corporations, labor organizations, and certain nonprofits that engage in political activity.

Maddy summaryHR 4526, the Smart Ship Repair Act of 2023, requires the Navy to prioritize private shipyards for non-nuclear surface ship maintenance by restricting government-operated drydocks from competing unless private sector capacity is insufficient. It mandates a study to assess whether Navy ship repair pricing differentials (for government drydocks, inter-port, and pier costs) reflect true market value. The bill also requires the Navy to submit annual reports detailing instances where government drydocks were used instead of private facilities and to report on policies for coastwide bids for long-term repairs. These provisions directly affect Navy ship maintenance contracting and private shipyard competition. The law aims to improve cost transparency and competition in ship repair contracts through data collection and reporting.

Maddy summaryThe IDEA Full Funding Act (HR 4519) mandates specific annual increases in federal funding for special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It requires Congress to appropriate increasing amounts each fiscal year - from $5.87 billion for 2024 up to $55.53 billion for 2033 - to reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for public schools by 2033. This directly affects all public school districts serving students with disabilities, as federal IDEA funding supports their special education services. The bill sets fixed dollar amounts or percentage targets (whichever is greater) for each fiscal year, aiming to gradually close the long-standing gap between promised and actual federal funding. It does not alter eligibility for services but mandates higher, phased funding levels to meet the 40% target.

Maddy summaryHR 3853, the Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2023, requires the U.S. Forest Service to enforce existing protections against road construction, reconstruction, and logging in designated roadless areas within the National Forest System. It directly affects Forest Service management practices and ensures these areas - critical for clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, and tribal cultural sites - remain undisturbed. The bill codifies the current Roadless Rule, which already prohibits such activities in inventoried roadless areas, without creating new restrictions on non-roadless lands or limiting permitted uses like hiking or hunting. This preserves existing protections for over 58 million acres of National Forest land without altering the Forest Service’s multiple-use management approach.

Maddy summaryHR 4466 would rename the National School Lunch Program Act from "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act" to "Jean E. Fairfax National School Lunch Act" to honor Jean E. Fairfax, a civil rights activist who advocated for equitable access to the program. The bill would update this name in the law and over 40 other federal statutes referencing the current title, but does not alter the program's operations, funding, or eligibility. It directly affects legal references in federal law without changing how the program serves students.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) rights are human rights and protected by the U.S. Constitution; (2) LGBTQIA+ Pride Month should be celebrated; and (3) all Americans should be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation, sex characteristics, or gender identity.

Maddy summaryHRES 561 is a non-binding House resolution opposing state laws that criminalize access to essential health care. It specifically condemns using criminal penalties against people for pregnancy outcomes (such as miscarriages), seeking abortion or contraception, or receiving gender-affirming care, and disapproves of punishing health care providers or supporters for facilitating such care. The resolution affirms that patients deserve access to reproductive and gender-affirming health services without fear of prosecution or discrimination. It emphasizes that criminalizing these health care decisions violates patient rights and ethical provider obligations, without creating new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThe MARCH for Military Servicemembers Act repeals a restriction that previously prohibited the use of Department of Defense (DoD) funds and facilities for abortion care. This change directly allows military healthcare providers to offer abortion services using DoD resources within military treatment facilities. It affects active-duty service members, veterans, and dependents receiving care through the military health system. The policy removes a longstanding barrier to accessing abortion care under the DoD’s healthcare framework.

Maddy summaryHR 4422 (Global Respect Act) requires the President to publicly identify foreign officials responsible for violence, torture, or arbitrary detention against LGBTQI individuals and block their entry to the U.S., including revoking visas for them and their immediate families. It mandates annual reporting to Congress on the list of sanctioned individuals, the reasons for additions/removals, and efforts to coordinate with other countries on similar sanctions. The bill also updates U.S. human rights reporting requirements to explicitly include data on violence and discrimination against LGBTQI people worldwide. These measures aim to increase accountability for human rights violations against LGBTQI individuals without advocating for specific policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHR 4340, the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2023, prohibits paid providers from offering conversion therapy - defined as any commercial service attempting to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity - and bans advertising that claims such therapy is effective or harmless. It directly affects therapists, counselors, or organizations offering paid conversion therapy services, including those advertising such services. Key provisions make it unlawful to provide, advertise, or facilitate paid conversion therapy, with enforcement led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under consumer protection laws and allowing states to pursue civil actions. The bill explicitly excludes supportive care for gender transition or identity exploration from its definition of prohibited therapy.