Rep. Chris Pappas

Maddy summaryThis resolution supports designating September 2023 as "National Recovery Month" to raise awareness about substance use disorder recovery. It cites pandemic-related challenges like increased overdoses (over 110,000 fatal drug/alcohol overdoses in 2022) and barriers to treatment. The resolution makes no policy changes but symbolically acknowledges recovery efforts, stigma reduction, and peer support communities. It is a non-binding congressional statement, not a law affecting specific groups or programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create and implement a standardized graphic symbol indicating when language interpretation services and translated materials are available for healthcare. It affects healthcare providers, insurers, public health departments, and other entities serving people with limited English proficiency. The symbol must be simple, widely understood, and work across printed and digital formats, with research and community testing to guide its design. The Secretary must finalize the symbol within 18 months and develop an education plan to promote its use, while allowing it to replace current notice requirements if testing shows it improves access.

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 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 summaryHR 5772, the "No Work, No Pay Act," directly affects Members of Congress by imposing fines during government shutdowns. If a shutdown occurs, each member faces a daily fine calculated as their daily pay rate multiplied by the number of shutdown days, enforced by the House Sergeant-at-Arms or Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and Doorkeeper. Unpaid fines are deducted from members' net salaries after 30 days, and members cannot use campaign or official funds to cover these fines. The bill defines a government shutdown as a lapse in appropriations due to failure to pass a funding bill or continuing resolution.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends existing aviation programs and tax authorities through December 2023. It modifies deadlines for airport improvement grants (extending $842 million in funding for Q4 2023), unmanned aircraft regulations, FAA operations, and key tax collections like fuel and ticket taxes. These changes maintain current funding levels for airports, airlines, and FAA programs relying on the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The bill does not create new programs but ensures continuity of existing authorizations. It directly affects airports receiving federal grants, airlines paying aviation taxes, and FAA operational activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill denies pension payments to current or former congressional members convicted of certain crimes. Specifically, it removes eligibility for retirement benefits based on their service as a Member of Congress if convicted of a qualifying offense after the bill's enactment. If a conviction is later overturned, the individual would receive retroactive pension payments. The law only applies to pensions tied to congressional service, not other government employment, and excludes convictions occurring before the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHR 5425 amends the Small Business Act to strengthen the Office of Rural Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). It requires the Office to be led by an Assistant Administrator with specific experience in rural small business issues and development assistance. The bill mandates the Office to host regional webinars and outreach events for rural small business owners, inviting SBA offices, resource partners, and government agencies to participate. It also requires the SBA to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the Office’s operations, activities, outreach events, and an analysis of gaps in lending programs serving rural small businesses. These changes directly affect rural small business owners by improving access to SBA resources and accountability for the Office’s work.

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.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 67 designates the week of September 17-23, 2023, as "National Fall Prevention Awareness Week" to highlight fall risks among older adults (aged 65+). It cites CDC data showing falls cause ~39,000 preventable deaths and $50 billion in annual medical costs for this group. The resolution supports existing evidence-based fall prevention programs - like balance exercises, home hazard reduction, and medication management - and encourages collaboration between federal agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers to raise awareness. It does not create new laws but formally recognizes ongoing efforts to reduce falls.