Rep. Mike Quigley

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 1282 (Major Richard Star Act), expands benefits for certain military retirees by allowing them to receive both veterans' disability compensation and military retirement pay simultaneously. It specifically affects combat-related disabled retirees under Chapter 61 of the military retirement system who have fewer than 20 years of service. The key change removes the automatic reduction of military retirement pay when these retirees also receive disability compensation, as amended in Section 1413a(b)(3) of Title 10. Technical updates to the law’s structure and effective date (starting after enactment) complete the provisions.

Maddy summaryHR 4047, the Autonomy for All Disabled Veterans Act, increases funding limits for home modifications for disabled veterans. It raises the maximum benefit from $6,800 to $10,000 for certain home improvements and from $2,000 to $10,000 for structural alterations under Section 1717(a)(2) of Title 38, U.S. Code. The bill also requires annual adjustments to these amounts based on the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation. This directly affects disabled veterans who qualify for these home health services, providing them with higher financial support for necessary home modifications.

Maddy summaryHJRES 82 is a non-binding resolution stating that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has been validly ratified by the required 38 states (including Virginia's 2020 ratification) and should be certified as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It directs the Archivist of the United States to fulfill their statutory duty under Title 1, U.S. Code, to certify and publish the ERA without delay. The resolution argues Article V of the Constitution has no ratification deadline, citing precedents like the 27th Amendment. It does not change the Constitution itself but urges the Archivist to complete the certification process. The bill affects the Archivist’s office, requiring them to act on the ERA’s ratification status.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires national parks to reduce disposable plastic products, primarily targeting plastic water bottles and food containers sold to visitors. Park directors must eliminate these sales where feasible after considering factors like operational costs, waste reduction, infrastructure for refill stations, and impacts on park vendors. Each park must also implement visitor education about water availability and report biennially on progress, including visitor satisfaction and safety metrics. The law directly affects all national park units, concessionaire businesses, and park visitors. It mandates a phased, practical approach without banning all plastics immediately.

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 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 summaryThe Promising Pathway Act creates a new FDA review pathway for drugs treating serious or life-threatening conditions, allowing provisional approval within 90 days if they show substantial safety evidence and early efficacy comparable to existing treatments. It directly affects drug manufacturers (sponsors), patients with urgent medical needs, and insurers, requiring mandatory patient registries tracking outcomes and side effects with a 90% participation goal. The bill mandates that insurers cover these provisionally approved drugs as if fully approved (without denying coverage as "experimental") and requires sponsors to submit annual reports to Congress on registry data and approval progress. Provisional approval lasts up to 8 years (2 years initially, renewable up to three times) but requires market launch within 180 days and allows FDA withdrawal if safety concerns arise or efficacy falls below standard treatments.

Maddy summaryHR 4481, the Protection and Advocacy for Student Success Act, provides federal grants to existing advocacy groups that protect students' rights under disability laws. It funds these groups to monitor schools for violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Key provisions require grantees to advocate against harmful practices like seclusion and restraint, assist families through dispute resolution, and pursue systemic changes in schools. The program specifically supports children, youth, and adults with disabilities in educational settings, with funds required to supplement - never replace - existing state resources.

Maddy summaryHRES 566 is a non-binding resolution introduced by Representative Correa in 2023 that expresses the House of Representatives' support for recognizing and encouraging everyday acts of kindness as a means to strengthen community bonds and societal resilience. It does not create new laws or policies but symbolically affirms that kindness - defined as selfless actions without expectation of return - can improve social connections, health, and conflict resolution. The resolution serves as a statement of shared values rather than a concrete policy change.

Maddy summaryHRES 574 is a commemorative resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to honor the victims and survivors of the July 4, 2022, mass shooting at Highland Park, Illinois' Independence Day Parade. It specifically remembers the seven people killed - Katie Goldstein, Irina McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Strauss, Jacquelyn Sundheim, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, and Eduardo Uvaldo - and acknowledges the over 40 injured. The resolution expresses the House’s solidarity with Highland Park residents, emergency responders, and all affected by the tragedy, and supports the community’s healing process one year after the attack. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely serves as a symbolic gesture of remembrance.