Maddy summaryHR 5446, the Justice for Angel Families Act, expands victim compensation under the Victims of Crime Act to include "angel families" - immediate family members of homicide victims killed by unlawfully present immigrants or members of international drug cartels. It adds new provisions allowing these families to receive compensation for medical expenses (including mental health care), lost wages due to emotional distress, and funeral costs related to the crime. The bill also establishes a new Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office within the Department of Homeland Security to provide hotlines, referrals to support services, and case studies on assisting victims and families. This office must submit annual reports to Congress detailing crime demographics, locations, types, and whether offenders have multiple convictions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHR 3152, the "Fight CRIME Act," aims to maintain international restrictions on Iran's missile-related activities by requiring diplomatic efforts to extend these restrictions before they expire in October 2023. The bill mandates annual reports detailing U.S. diplomatic strategies, potential impacts of expiration, and measures to deter missile technology transfers to Iran. It establishes sanctions against foreign individuals or entities that knowingly support Iran's missile or drone programs, including asset freezes and visa restrictions. These sanctions apply regardless of whether UN restrictions remain in effect after their expiration, directly affecting foreign entities involved in these activities.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. Code provisions to allow Directors of Admissions at the three military service academies (West Point, Annapolis, and Colorado Springs) to retire at higher ranks (rear admiral lower half or brigadier general) if they have long, distinguished service in that role. It specifically modifies retirement eligibility for these Directors at each academy, removing previous restrictions that tied their retirement grade to professorship status. The bill directly affects current and future Directors of Admissions at the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy. It is a procedural change to retirement benefits, not a policy affecting admissions processes or student eligibility.
Maddy summaryHR 5320, the Defense Capability Development Minor Construction Enhancement Act of 2023, amends a section of U.S. Code (10 U.S.C. § 2805(g)(1)) to expand the scope of defense laboratory modernization funding. It allows defense laboratories to use these funds for the "development, production, and sustainment of combat capabilities" alongside existing modernization projects. This change directly affects Department of Defense laboratories by providing greater flexibility in how they allocate resources for military capability projects. The bill makes a technical adjustment to existing law without creating new programs or altering overall funding levels.
Maddy summaryHR 5321, the Strategic Defense Fellows Act of 2023, amends the John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellows Program to improve geographic diversity and streamline career pathways. It limits any single U.S. region (including Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, West, or Alaska/Hawaii/territories) to no more than 20% of annual participants. The bill establishes a one-year appointment (extendable to two years) at GS-10 to GS-12 pay levels for fellows, with potential education loan repayment and noncompetitive hiring into senior leadership roles (up to GS-13) after program completion. This directly affects Defense Department fellows by creating a structured career track within the Department of Defense.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Defense to count a small business concern's past performance from its affiliates (connected businesses) when evaluating bids for defense contracts. Small businesses competing for DoD contracts will benefit from having their affiliates' relevant performance history considered as part of their own record. The rule change, effective by July 2024, limits this consideration to the nine years preceding a bid submission. It amends federal procurement regulations to make this evaluation standard practice.
Maddy summaryThe Military Lodging Reform Act of 2023 (HR 5298) transfers authority for managing military lodging from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment. This change directly affects service members requiring lodging due to temporary duty assignments or permanent station moves, as the new official will oversee all such housing matters. Key provisions require the Secretary of Defense to complete this transfer within 90 days of enactment, coordinate with each military service’s relevant assistant secretary, and certify completion to Congress within 180 days. The bill updates all federal references to reflect this new authority, streamlining oversight without altering lodging policies or costs for service members.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) to increase access to healthy food for low-income SNAP participants. It raises the incentive funding percentage from 50% to 80% for eligible purchases, creates new cooperative agreements to scale state programs (requiring 90% of funds to be used for redeemed incentives at retailers), and expands a produce prescription program where healthcare providers can refer patients to buy fresh produce. The bill allocates increased annual funding through 2029, including $57.5 million annually for 2024-2028, and requires a study on transitioning produce prescription costs to health insurance within 10 years. It directly affects SNAP recipients, participating retailers (including farmers markets), and community health centers.
Cybersecurity in Agriculture Act of 2023 This bill directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to establish an agriculture cybersecurity program. Under the program, NIFA must provide grants to or enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities to establish a network of five Regional Agriculture Cybersecurity Centers to carry out research, development, and education on agriculture cybersecurity related to seed agriculture, horticulture, animal agriculture, and the agriculture supply chain. An eligible entity is a college or university that has programs in food and agriculture sciences and cybersecurity that coordinate regional industry partners, cooperatives, government authorities, and other stakeholders to (1) strengthen security, privacy, and resiliency; (2) bolster the independent networks; and (3) develop a skilled workforce. The program must also establish a national network of such regional centers and designate one college or university to coordinate the national network's activities.
Maddy summaryHRES 665 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Lieutenant Commander Louis A. Conter as the last living survivor of the USS Arizona during the December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor attack. It commemorates his service and the 1,177 crew members who died aboard the USS Arizona, along with all those who served during the attack and World War II. The resolution specifically recognizes Conter’s heroism during the attack, his subsequent military service, and pays tribute to all Pearl Harbor survivors and fallen service members. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but formally acknowledges historical events and individual contributions.