Rep. Don Bacon

Maddy summaryHR 5667, the Pay Our Military Act, ensures continued pay and allowances for active-duty military members, reservists, Department of Defense civilians, and qualifying contractors during any government funding gap in fiscal year 2024. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover these payments if regular appropriations bills aren't passed before the end of the fiscal year. The funding automatically terminates once regular appropriations are enacted or by January 1, 2025, whichever comes first.

Maddy summaryHJRES 11 proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit Members of Congress to serving a maximum of three terms in the House of Representatives and two terms in the Senate. If passed and ratified, it would prevent any member who has already served the maximum terms from running for re-election, including time spent filling vacancies (for more than one year in the House or three years in the Senate). This amendment directly affects current and future members of Congress by changing eligibility rules for re-election. The proposal is currently a joint resolution in the House, requiring ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures to become part of the Constitution.

Maddy summaryHR 5786 establishes a Cybersecurity Risk Inventory, Assessment, and Mitigation Working Group within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The group must create a strategy to inventory, assess, and reduce cybersecurity risks in NNSA's operational technology and nuclear weapons information technology systems, including specific goals, roles, resources, and timelines. The working group must brief Congress within 120 days of enactment and submit the full strategy to congressional defense committees by April 1, 2025. The group will terminate five years after the bill's enactment. This bill directly affects NNSA's cybersecurity operations for national security systems.

Maddy summaryHR 5641, the Pay Our Troops Act, ensures military personnel and their support staff continue receiving pay during fiscal year 2024 if Congress fails to pass regular budget appropriations. It appropriates existing Treasury funds to cover pay and allowances for active-duty troops, reserve components, and civilian employees or contractors supporting military operations. The bill automatically terminates on January 1, 2025, or earlier if Congress enacts a regular budget or continuing resolution. This provision directly affects service members, Department of Defense staff, and Coast Guard personnel (when not under the Navy) during budget implementation gaps.

Maddy summaryHRES 708 is a symbolic resolution designating the week of September 18-23, 2023, as "Malnutrition Awareness Week." It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes malnutrition as a significant issue affecting vulnerable groups, including children (particularly Black children, who are nearly 3 times more likely to experience food insecurity), older adults (up to 50% at risk), and hospitalized patients. The resolution supports existing federal programs like the Older Americans Act and school nutrition initiatives, while acknowledging the high costs of malnutrition (e.g., $51 billion annually for older adults) and urging access to screening and nutrition counseling. It primarily aims to raise public awareness and honor professionals working on malnutrition prevention.

Maddy summaryThe Abbey Gate Gold Star Families Dignified Transport Act changes how the government covers transportation costs for the remains of fallen service members. It requires the government to pay directly for transporting remains to two locations (with the second being a national cemetery), eliminating the need for families to pay upfront and seek reimbursement. This policy directly affects Gold Star Families - those who have lost a service member in the line of duty - by reducing financial and administrative burdens during funeral arrangements. The bill amends U.S. Code Section 1482 to replace reimbursement with direct payment for these specific transportation needs.

Maddy summaryHR 5704, the Protecting Student Athletes From Concussions Act, requires states to certify that public schools have concussion safety plans by 2025. These plans mandate schools to: (1) immediately remove students showing concussion symptoms from activities and require a doctor's written clearance before returning to sports; (2) provide academic accommodations like modified assignments during recovery; (3) post science-based concussion information visibly at schools; and (4) develop concussion management teams including medical professionals and parents. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools, student athletes, parents, and school staff by standardizing concussion response and recovery support. It aims to ensure consistent safety protocols, academic support, and medical oversight for student athletes across all school-sponsored activities.

Maddy summaryThe Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act of 2023 requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a Trafficking Survivor Point of Contact (TSPoC) at each airport where TSA conducts passenger screening. The TSPoC, a designated TSA employee trained in trauma-informed care, assists non-profit service providers helping human trafficking survivors with air travel arrangements, including identity verification, security screening support, and safe handoffs at destination airports. Service providers must meet specific eligibility criteria, such as providing 30 days' notice and confirming they are actively assisting a survivor while arranging travel and complying with airline policies for minors. The TSPoC ensures survivors receive trauma-informed support throughout the travel process, from security screening to being met by a designated representative at their destination.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes federal funding for precision agriculture workforce training programs. It adds "precision agriculture workforce development" as a specific purpose for research and extension grants under the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. It also directs the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative to fund cooperative education programs at colleges and universities that improve precision agriculture training. These changes directly affect educational institutions partnering with public or private entities to develop workforce training curricula.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the funding period for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program from 2023 to 2028. It directly affects rural communities by ensuring continued access to telehealth services and educational programs through this existing federal initiative. The key provision is a simple amendment to the program's authorization date in existing law, without creating new requirements or altering the program's scope. The change ensures uninterrupted support for rural healthcare and education providers relying on this funding.