Rep. Mike Flood

Maddy summaryHR 7384, the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2024, extends the deadline for issuing priority review vouchers to pharmaceutical companies developing treatments for rare pediatric diseases. The bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to push the program’s expiration from 2024 to 2028 and adjusts another related deadline to 2030. This directly affects drug manufacturers seeking faster FDA review for new treatments targeting rare childhood illnesses. The extension ensures continued incentives for developing these critical therapies without altering the core voucher mechanism.

Maddy summaryHR 7366 requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to publish monthly border encounter data on its public portal by the 7th of each month. This affects CBP directly, as it mandates the timely release of data on encounters at the border during the previous month. The bill also includes a penalty: if CBP misses this deadline, funding for the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security is reduced by 25% for the following month. The law focuses on ensuring transparency in border data reporting through specific deadlines and financial consequences.

Maddy summaryHJRES 114 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rule that would have required tracking greenhouse gas emissions as part of assessing performance for the National Highway System. The rule, published in the Federal Register in December 2023, aimed to establish specific metrics for evaluating highway system performance, including emissions data. If approved, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing the FHWA from implementing the emissions tracking requirement. This action directly affects how the FHWA measures highway system performance, specifically regarding environmental metrics.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how credit reporting companies share homebuyers' credit reports during mortgage applications. It prevents companies from sending these reports to third parties (like marketers) just because a lender requested them for a mortgage. Only specific entities can receive the reports: the mortgage lender who originated the loan, the company servicing the loan, or the bank holding the homebuyer's account. This directly protects homebuyers' privacy by limiting unauthorized sharing of their financial data.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution urges the U.S. State Department to redesignate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) for systematic religious freedom violations under the International Religious Freedom Act, and to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad region. It cites U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommendations, reports of ongoing violence against Christian communities (including church attacks and kidnappings), and Nigeria’s blasphemy laws as justification. The resolution specifically requests the Secretary of State to immediately redesignate Nigeria as a CPC and the President to appoint a Special Envoy with direct reporting to the Secretary. It does not create new law but expresses congressional intent for U.S. diplomatic action. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryHR 7101, the FTC REDO Act, rescinds the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) January 2024 rule targeting auto retail scams and prohibits the FTC from finalizing future auto retail rules without meeting specific requirements. Before proposing new rules, the FTC must conduct a quantitative study on deceptive practices, consumer testing on new mandates, and an economic analysis of costs/benefits - each subject to 30 days of public comment and independent peer review. These studies must demonstrate evidence of unfair practices, show new rules enhance consumer protection without unduly burdening businesses, and compare the proposed rule to less burdensome alternatives. The bill directly affects the FTC's rulemaking process for auto retail, impacting how regulations on dealerships, disclosures, and consumer protections are developed.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution (HRES 985) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for Catholic schools during the 50th anniversary of National Catholic Schools Week. It acknowledges Catholic schools' contributions to education, diversity, and community values - highlighting their 1.7 million students, 98.9% high school graduation rate, and role in serving diverse communities - while applauding the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for organizing the event. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes; it solely serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryThe Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act of 2023 requires at least 50% of federal funds for watershed projects to support "multibenefit works of improvement" that provide two or more public benefits including water conservation, improved fish/wildlife habitat, flood reduction, or water quality enhancement. The bill defines these projects to include activities like protecting natural features, enhancing fish passage, or improving instream flow, while establishing specific cost-sharing requirements and environmental considerations. Local organizations, including states, tribes, soil conservation districts, rural communities, and irrigation districts, would be the primary beneficiaries of this funding. The legislation aims to shift watershed management toward integrated solutions that address multiple environmental and community challenges simultaneously. It establishes clear definitions and requirements for what qualifies as a multibenefit project under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill maintains the existing minimum wage rate for H-2A agricultural workers in each state as it stood on December 31, 2023, through December 31, 2025. It directly affects farms that hire H-2A visa workers by requiring the Department of Labor to use these state-specific rates for wage calculations during this period. The bill also clarifies that wage determinations for these workers must consider their primary job duties, especially when workers perform multiple tasks. This provides stability for farms relying on seasonal agricultural labor without changing the current wage structure.

Maddy summaryThe Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act creates a new grant program providing financial aid to students enrolled in short-term, career-focused educational programs (150-600 clock hours, 8-15 weeks) that prepare students for high-demand jobs. To qualify, programs must meet specific standards including alignment with industry needs, minimum job placement rates of 70%, and median earnings that exceed local wage benchmarks. The bill requires institutions to collect and publicly report data on program outcomes including completion rates, job placement, and student earnings through the College Scorecard website. It also establishes new accreditation standards for agencies evaluating these workforce programs, with $40 million authorized for fiscal year 2025 and $30 million for each of the next four years.