Rep. Angie Craig

Maddy summaryHR 926 would require the Supreme Court to establish a code of conduct for justices within 180 days of enactment, along with procedures for handling ethics complaints against them. The bill mandates minimum disclosure standards for gifts, income, and reimbursements received by justices and their law clerks, and requires justices to recuse themselves when they or their family received gifts from parties in a case. It would also require parties and amici curiae to disclose gifts given to justices and lobbying contacts related to justices' nominations, and establish a judicial investigation panel to review complaints against justices. The legislation aims to increase transparency in Supreme Court ethics processes and provide clearer recusal standards for justices.

Maddy summaryHRES 110 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of "Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month" to recognize CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand careers. It encourages educators, school counselors, and parents to promote CTE as a respected pathway for students seeking credentials in fields like healthcare, technology, and skilled trades. The resolution highlights CTE's benefits, including reducing high school dropout rates and aligning education with workforce needs, without creating new funding or policy changes. It directly affects schools, educators, and students by affirming CTE's value in workforce development.

This resolution condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents. The resolution also expresses support for the people of Iran who are legitimately defending their rights for freedom against repression and condemns the killing of Iranian protesters by the Iranian regime.

Maddy summaryThe Auto Theft Prevention Act establishes a federal grant program to fund state and local law enforcement efforts combating auto theft and stolen vehicle trafficking, authorizing $30 million annually from 2024 to 2028. States receive funds based on prior-year auto theft rates, requiring at least 50% to be distributed to local agencies in high-theft areas and 25% to state agencies. Grants cover specific anti-theft measures like purchasing equipment (e.g., license plate readers), hiring staff, training officers, and funding data collection related to auto theft. The program also expands existing grant uses to include these anti-theft activities, with no more than 5% of funds allowed for administrative costs.

Freight Rail Assistance and Investment to Launch Coronavirus-Era Activity and Recovery Act of 2023 or the Freight RAILCAR Act of 2023 This bill provides a new tax credit through 2025 for 10% of freight railcar fleet modernization expenses (i.e., railcar replacement and modernization expenses for meeting fuel efficiency and performance standards). The bill provides that no more than 2,000 freight railcars per taxpayer may be taken into account for purposes of determining the credit in a taxable year. The Department of the Treasury must report to Congress on the credit to provide information on the number of times the credit was claimed and the number of railcars scrapped or built as a result of the credit.

Maddy summaryThe Better Care Better Jobs Act (HR 547) aims to improve access to home and community-based services (HCBS) for Medicaid beneficiaries by providing states with planning grants and enhanced federal funding. States that develop approved HCBS infrastructure improvement plans will receive a 10 percentage point increase in federal Medicaid funding for HCBS services, with additional incentives for self-directed care programs. The bill requires states to address barriers to access, expand workforce development, improve payment rates for direct care workers, and track demographic data on service utilization. It also establishes quality measurement requirements and mandates regular reporting on progress toward improving HCBS access and quality.

Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act or the SAFE Act This bill permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. The temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act expires on December 31, 2024. It limits the application of mandatory minimum penalties for certain offenses involving fentanyl-related substances, establishes a process to deschedule or remove certain fentanyl-related substances that have a low potential for abuse, and allows a federal court to vacate or reduce the sentence for convictions of offenses involving a fentanyl-related substance that is descheduled or moved to a schedule other than schedule I or II. The bill establishes a new, alternative registration process for schedule I research. It also makes other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances, waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration. Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to analyze the implementation and impact of permanently placing fentanyl-related substances into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

Maddy summaryHR 770, the ESP Family Leave Act, amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to create specific eligibility rules for education support professionals and school support staff in public schools and public higher education institutions. It changes the standard FMLA work-hour requirement (1,250 hours) to a new threshold: these workers qualify if they've worked at least 60% of their expected monthly hours for the previous school year. Employers must maintain records of each employee's expected monthly hours, and the bill defines "education support professionals" to include roles like paraeducators, secretaries, custodians, food service workers, security staff, and health support staff. The bill directly affects these support staff members, making it easier for them to qualify for FMLA leave under the revised hours calculation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal crime for assaulting law enforcement officers causing serious injury or death, with penalties up to 10 years in prison for serious injury and up to life for aggravated cases involving death, kidnapping, or attempted killing. It applies when offenses involve interstate travel, commerce, or target officers engaged in law enforcement duties. Federal prosecution requires Attorney General certification that state authorities cannot or will not handle the case, or that federal action is necessary for public safety. The law covers all law enforcement officers (state, local, and federal) who enforce criminal laws or detain individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 795 amends the 1968 Crime Control Act to require federal funding for training first responders on using containment devices that prevent secondary exposure to fentanyl and other dangerous substances. It directs the Department of Justice to provide both training resources and purchase these devices for emergency personnel. The law specifically targets risks faced when handling drugs like fentanyl during arrests or medical emergencies. First responders, including police and EMTs, would directly benefit from this provision. The bill mandates these measures through existing federal programs without creating new standalone requirements.