Rep. Tracey Mann

Maddy summaryHRES 1391 is a formal House resolution congratulating the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) on its 100th anniversary. It recognizes the AMA's role since 1924 in promoting motorcycling, representing riders, sanctioning events, and preserving motorcycle heritage through its Hall of Fame in Ohio. This resolution has no legislative effect - it is a symbolic gesture of appreciation with no policy changes or direct impact on individuals or regulations.

Maddy summaryThe VSAFE Act of 2023 (HR 6452) establishes a new "Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer" within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This position focuses on preventing fraud against veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors by creating communication plans, developing reporting guidelines, monitoring fraud metrics, and coordinating with other federal agencies like the IRS and DOJ. The bill does not create new benefits or increase staffing, instead directing the Department to improve existing fraud prevention efforts through standardized training and cross-agency collaboration.

Maddy summaryHJRES 164 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Department of Commerce regarding firearms license requirements. It directly targets the rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 34680), which would have revised licensing procedures for firearms dealers. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect by invoking the congressional disapproval process under federal law. The bill does not create new regulations but aims to halt an existing rule affecting gun license applicants and dealers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2365, Public Law 118-66) directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Parkinson’s Project. It requires HHS to create and update a coordinated national plan for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and researching Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (including multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), while coordinating federal research and care efforts across agencies like the NIH, CDC, and VA. The law mandates annual progress assessments, an advisory council with patient advocates and diverse experts, and annual reports to Congress on federal Parkinson’s programs and recommendations for improvement. It affects federal agencies managing Parkinson’s-related programs and aims to improve care coordination and research efficiency for patients and caregivers, with the law sunsetting in 2035.

Maddy summaryHJRES 170 is a resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a federal rule that would have required new housing projects financed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to meet specific energy efficiency standards. The rule, published in April 2024, aimed to set these standards for new construction in federally subsidized housing. If passed, this resolution would block the rule under the Congressional Review Act, making it legally void. It directly affects developers and builders of HUD- and USDA-financed housing by removing the requirement to comply with these energy standards.

Maddy summaryThe Conscience Protection Act of 2024 would strengthen protections for health care providers, facilities, and organizations that refuse to participate in or provide coverage for abortions, assisted suicide, or other procedures conflicting with their religious or moral beliefs. It creates a private right of action allowing individuals or entities to sue when their conscience rights are violated, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to enforce existing conscience protections through the Office for Civil Rights. The bill prohibits discrimination against health care entities that decline to provide or facilitate these services, while ensuring these protections don't interfere with emergency care requirements under existing law. It also establishes clearer enforcement mechanisms, including the ability to terminate federal funding for non-compliance with conscience protections.

Maddy summaryThe Rural Small Business Resilience Act requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure rural disaster victims have full access to existing disaster assistance within one year of the law's passage. It directly affects small business owners and individuals in rural areas (as defined by the Small Business Act) who live in regions with federally declared disasters. The key provision mandates the SBA to provide targeted outreach and marketing materials to these rural residents to overcome barriers in accessing current disaster aid programs. This is a concrete policy change to improve access to existing resources, not a new funding program.

Maddy summaryHR 5012 (SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023) authorizes federal funding to improve stillbirth research and data collection. It provides $5 million annually for states to collect standardized stillbirth data (including risk factors) while protecting privacy, $1 million annually for developing public educational materials and data collection guidelines, and $3 million annually for medical fellowships training pathologists in perinatal autopsy and stillbirth research. The bill directly affects state health departments, medical professionals (like obstetricians and pathologists), and families who experience stillbirth by improving data quality for future research. It requires federal reports on guidelines and program effectiveness within five years but does not provide direct medical care or financial assistance to families.

Maddy summaryHR 537 authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor 60 diplomats who saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust by issuing visas and passports against their governments' orders, risking expulsion and personal danger. The medal will be presented to the next of kin of these diplomats, alongside representatives from their home countries, and permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This legislation recognizes the diplomats' humanitarian actions without creating new government programs or altering existing laws.

Maddy summaryHJRES 166 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule that would have changed overtime exemption standards for certain salaried workers. The rule, published in April 2024, aimed to redefine how executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees are classified for overtime pay under federal law. If enacted, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preserving the existing classification system for these workers.