Maddy summaryThe Afghan Adjustment Act creates a pathway for certain Afghans who directly supported U.S. missions in Afghanistan during the 20-year U.S. military presence to adjust to lawful permanent resident status (green card holders). It specifically targets Afghans who worked with U.S. forces or agencies, including military personnel, security personnel, and their families, who received "Chief of Mission approval" for special immigrant status. Key provisions include new vetting requirements (in-person interviews and biometric screening), exemption from immigration numerical limits, $20 million annually for implementation, and a task force to develop resettlement strategies. The bill also establishes a new category of special immigrant visas for at-risk Afghan allies and sets a two-year application deadline after guidance is published.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe IDEA Full Funding Act (HR 4519) mandates specific annual increases in federal funding for special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It requires Congress to appropriate increasing amounts each fiscal year - from $5.87 billion for 2024 up to $55.53 billion for 2033 - to reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for public schools by 2033. This directly affects all public school districts serving students with disabilities, as federal IDEA funding supports their special education services. The bill sets fixed dollar amounts or percentage targets (whichever is greater) for each fiscal year, aiming to gradually close the long-standing gap between promised and actual federal funding. It does not alter eligibility for services but mandates higher, phased funding levels to meet the 40% target.
Maddy summaryHR 4412, the Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of 2023, creates a federal pilot program allowing states to apply for grants to establish tick identification services. Residents would submit photos of ticks online with location and date details, and tick experts would identify species, assess disease risk, and provide prevention advice within 72 hours. States implementing the program must maintain a database of encounters, including location, tick identification, and educational materials provided. The pilot prioritizes states with high Lyme disease cases and runs through 2027, with annual CDC reports to Congress on collected data.
Maddy summaryHR 4413, the Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act, authorizes the U.S. Postal Service to sell a special semipostal stamp (where the price exceeds regular postage) to fund Lyme disease research. The extra revenue from stamp sales will be sent directly to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for tick-borne illness research, with funds specifically protected from being used to offset NIAID's regular budget. The stamp would be available for at least six years, beginning one year after the bill becomes law, and the proceeds cannot reduce other federal funding for NIAID. This bill creates a new public funding mechanism for research, directly affecting those who purchase the stamp and the NIAID research programs.
Maddy summaryHR 4417, the "Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act," prevents state and local governments from imposing additional production standards on agricultural products sold across state lines if those standards aren't already required by federal law or the state where the product is grown. It directly affects agricultural producers, distributors, and businesses operating in interstate commerce by allowing them to sue states in federal court to challenge such regulations. The bill creates a private right of action for affected parties to seek court invalidation of the regulations and damages for economic losses, with provisions for preliminary injunctions to halt enforcement during litigation. This aims to reduce regulatory barriers that could hinder the movement of agricultural goods between states.
Maddy summaryHR 4343, the Organ Donation Clarification Act of 2023, amends the National Organ Transplant Act to permit limited noncash reimbursements for organ donors, such as medical costs, lost wages, travel expenses, and dependent care. It allows federal or state pilot programs to test these reimbursements under strict ethical oversight, aiming to increase donation rates without enabling financial incentives. The bill directly affects potential organ donors and transplant recipients by addressing financial barriers to donation, such as costs of medical care and lost income, while prohibiting cash payments or tradable benefits. These pilots must measure impacts on donation rates, donor demographics, and fairness in organ distribution, with reports to Congress after three years.
National Nursing Shortage Task Force Act of 2023 This bill establishes a National Nursing Shortage Task Force to recommend policies for addressing the nursing shortage in the United States, particularly in designated health professional shortage areas. The task force terminates 90 days after it submits its recommendations.
Maddy summaryThe Project Safe Neighborhoods Reauthorization Act of 2023 extends federal funding for the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program through fiscal years 2024-2028, replacing its previous authorization period. The bill directly affects state, local, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and community groups that receive PSN grants to reduce violent crime. Key provisions allow grantees to use funds for hiring crime analysts, covering overtime for officers and assistants, purchasing technology for crime reduction, and supporting multi-jurisdictional task forces. It also requires annual reports from the Attorney General detailing fund usage, community outreach, and violent crime statistics (including murder, robbery, and assault) in each program area. The program operates across all 94 U.S. federal judicial districts and territories.
Saving Organs One Flight at a Time Act This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to jointly issue regulations, as necessary, to enable air carriers to transport human organs for transplant above wing (i.e., in the cabin of an aircraft). Among other things, the regulations must include consideration of protocols for air control outages; a requirement that air carriers implement a protocol for a person to accompany organs to and from the aircraft and between connecting flights; and a standardized process for commercial air carriers to accept, handle, and manage organs in transit. The TSA and the FAA must also consult with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to identify metrics for the handling of organs and organ-related tissue by air carriers.
Healthcare Equality and Rights for Our Heroes Act or the HERO Act This bill allows claims to be brought against the United States for damages relating to the personal injury or death of a member of the Armed Forces arising out of a negligent or wrongful act or omission in providing medical, dental, or related health care functions at a military medical treatment facility. However, the bill does not apply to care provided at a medical treatment location deployed in an area of armed combat.