Rep. Robin L. Kelly

Maddy summaryHR 926, the Fort Pillow National Battlefield Park Study Act, directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of Fort Pillow Historic State Park in Tennessee. The study will evaluate the site's national significance and determine if designating it as a National Battlefield Park is suitable and feasible. This bill does not change the park's current status as a state park (established 1971) or its existing National Register and National Historic Landmark designations. The study is prompted by the historical importance of the 1864 Fort Pillow Massacre, particularly its impact on U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War, as detailed in congressional findings. The bill itself is procedural, focusing solely on authorizing the study to inform potential future designation.

Maddy summaryHR 7046, the Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026, removes qualified immunity as a defense in civil rights lawsuits against law enforcement officers. It directly affects federal, state, and local law enforcement officers by eliminating their ability to avoid liability in cases where they allegedly violated constitutional rights. The bill amends Section 1983 of federal law to prohibit using four specific defenses: claiming good faith, believing conduct was lawful, arguing rights weren't clearly established, or asserting the law was unclear at the time. This change means officers can no longer dismiss lawsuits based on these arguments after the bill's enactment. The law applies to all civil actions pending or filed after the effective date.

Maddy summaryHR 6088, the *Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025*, repeals specific sections (10101-10108) from a prior reconciliation law. This action revives previous provisions related to food security programs that were modified by those repealed sections. The bill directly affects federal food assistance and agricultural support programs by restoring their prior legal framework. It does not create new policies but reverses recent changes to existing food security measures.

Maddy summaryThe MORE Act (HR 5068) would remove cannabis from the federal list of controlled substances, effectively decriminalizing it at the federal level while establishing a new tax on cannabis products. The bill creates an Opportunity Trust Fund that would distribute tax revenues to support communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, including funding for expungement programs, job training, and equitable licensing initiatives for minority business owners. It also includes provisions to prevent discrimination based on cannabis use in federal programs, immigration proceedings, and workplace policies. The bill would require federal courts to expunge non-violent cannabis convictions and establish a process for resentencing individuals currently serving time for such offenses. These provisions aim to address racial disparities in cannabis enforcement and create more equitable opportunities in the legal cannabis industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act to improve SNAP (food stamp) access for seniors and disabled individuals. It creates a new standard medical deduction: seniors can self-attest to monthly medical expenses over $35, allowing a fixed $155 deduction (adjusted yearly for inflation) to be subtracted from household income when calculating SNAP benefits. States may also set higher deductions if they provide evidence of higher local medical costs. This directly affects seniors and disabled SNAP recipients with medical expenses, making it easier for them to qualify for benefits by reducing their counted income. The changes apply to certification periods starting after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHR 4782, the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act, establishes a USDA program to connect local farmers with food distribution networks. It requires eligible entities (like state agriculture agencies) to use funds to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed local foods from covered producers - including at least 25% from small-size, mid-size, beginning, or veteran farmers - while providing technical assistance for food safety and supply chains. The bill allocates $200 million annually (2026-2030) from the Commodity Credit Corporation, mandating 10% for Tribal governments and 1% per state before distributing remaining funds. This directly supports regional food security by boosting economic opportunities for local farmers and improving access to fresh, nutritious food through established distribution channels.

Maddy summaryHR 909, the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025, modifies how funds from the False Claims Act are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. It specifies that from 2025 through 2029, certain False Claims Act proceeds (specifically those for qui tam plaintiff payments and government damage reimbursements) cannot be deposited into the fund. This change directly affects the composition of the Crime Victims Fund by excluding these specific revenue streams during the specified period. The bill does not create new benefits or alter victim services; it only adjusts fund allocation rules for existing False Claims Act revenues.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCONRES 69) commemorates the 15th anniversary of the January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting that killed six people and injured 13, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. It honors the victims, survivors, and Giffords - now a prominent advocate for gun violence prevention - and recognizes her leadership in promoting civility and reducing gun violence. The resolution also commends Tucson residents and first responders for their resilience and reaffirms Congress’s commitment to respectful dialogue and opposing political violence. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHR 6954, the January 6th Truth and Transparency Act, requires the Congressional Research Service to issue regular reports tracking individuals pardoned for January 6, 2021, Capitol-related offenses under Presidential Proclamation 10887. The reports, submitted every 180 days starting 60 days after enactment, must list pardoned individuals and document any subsequent arrests, convictions, or law enforcement encounters involving force. These reports will be made publicly available on the Library of Congress website and provided to specific congressional committees, including House Administration and Senate Rules committees. The bill directly affects those granted pardons under the specified proclamation by establishing a transparency mechanism to monitor their post-pardon conduct.

Maddy summaryHR 6952, the January 6th Oral History Project Act, directs the Library of Congress' American Folklife Center to collect video, audio, and written records from individuals present at or affected by the January 6, 2021, Capitol events - including lawmakers, staff, police, journalists, and witnesses. The program will create a public digital archive through the Library's National Digital Library, prioritizing accounts at risk of being lost, and will gather related materials like texts, emails, and photos. It establishes a separate gift account for private donations exclusively funding this project and authorizes $500,000 for fiscal year 2027. The bill focuses solely on documenting personal experiences for historical preservation, not on investigation or policy changes.