Rep. James A. Himes

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 5485, the Financial Privacy Act of 2023, requires the Treasury Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress detailing how many financial reports FinCEN collects, how many are retained, and how law enforcement and intelligence agencies access that data. It mandates an annual review of protocols governing agency access to FinCEN's data, focusing on tailoring collection to legitimate national security needs, preventing unauthorized disclosure, and protecting Americans' privacy rights. The bill applies directly to FinCEN, the Treasury Department, and federal agencies accessing financial data collected under the Bank Secrecy Act. The reporting and review requirements will sunset after seven years from the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023 makes significant changes to how the FBI conducts surveillance under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. It restricts the FBI from conducting queries unrelated to national security, limits who can approve queries of U.S. person information, and requires mandatory notifications to Congress for certain types of queries involving elected officials or sensitive information. The bill establishes minimum accountability standards for the FBI, mandates annual audits of U.S. person queries, and prohibits queries for suppressing criticism or discriminating against individuals based on protected characteristics. These provisions directly affect the FBI's surveillance practices and aim to increase oversight and accountability while protecting privacy rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill corrects a technical error affecting certain 9/11 victims' families who settled claims through the 2014 court case *In re 650 Fifth Avenue*. It ensures these families - designated as "Havlish Settling Judgment Creditors" - receive withheld funds from the Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund and can participate in future payments like other eligible claimants. The bill amends existing law to exempt these families from specific distribution rules and requires released funds to be paid directly to them. It does not create new payments but fixes a bureaucratic oversight preventing these families from accessing funds they were previously owed.

Maddy summaryThe PLAN for School Safety Act of 2023 creates a federal program to fund State and regional centers that help schools develop and improve individualized safety plans. These centers, established by eligible entities like state education agencies or Tribal organizations, provide tailored consulting on school safety, mental health, and violence prevention using research-backed methods. The program requires centers to cover 5% of activity costs and prioritizes support for schools in rural, Tribal, or low-resourced communities. Annual reports to Congress will track implementation progress, effectiveness, and how centers assist schools in accessing funding for safety initiatives.

Maddy summaryHRES 793 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Hamas to immediately release all 199 hostages taken during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution condemns Hamas for the attack, the taking of hostages, and threats against hostages, while stating that holding hostages violates international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions. It demands the immediate release of all hostages and expresses sympathy for victims and their families. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create legal obligations but formally expresses the House's position.

Maddy summaryThis bill closes loopholes that allow domestic violence abusers to keep or buy firearms while under restraining orders. It requires courts to issue "firearm surrender orders" when domestic violence restraining orders are issued, mandating that abusers surrender all firearms within 24 hours. The law expands the definition of "intimate partner" to include dating partners and requires law enforcement to remove firearms if abusers don't comply. It also creates a federal grant program to help states implement these policies, directly affecting domestic violence survivors and abusers subject to restraining orders.

Maddy summaryHR 6201, the Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023, creates the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund to cover costs related to seizing and forfeiting property from Iran or its designated proxies (like Hezbollah or the Revolutionary Guard Corps) that violate U.S. sanctions. The fund, initially $150 million, pays for investigative costs, property management, informant rewards, and equipment for federal, state, and local agencies involved in enforcement. It also establishes an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to improve interagency cooperation on enforcing export controls targeting Iran. The bill requires annual reports on fund usage and mandates repayment of the initial $150 million by 2034, unless waived for national security reasons.

Maddy summaryHRES 831 is a symbolic congressional resolution supporting October as "National Domestic Violence Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funding, but formally expresses the House of Representatives' support for the goals of raising awareness about domestic violence. The resolution urges Congress to continue highlighting domestic violence's impact and backing programs that prevent and address it. It directly affects public awareness efforts and serves as a non-binding statement of congressional support for victims and advocacy organizations.

Maddy summaryHRES 771 is a non-binding resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack. It condemns Hamas' actions, affirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls for the immediate release of hostages. The resolution also urges enforcement of existing laws restricting aid to terrorists and sanctions against Iran for supporting Hamas. It does not create new policies or allocate funds, as it is a symbolic statement of congressional support.