Rep. Donald Norcross

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new independent council within the executive branch called the United States Interagency Council on Housing Affordability and Preservation to coordinate federal efforts on affordable housing. The council will be composed of heads from twenty-one different federal agencies, including HUD, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Labor, who will meet at least four times a year to develop a national strategic plan and review housing programs. Its main duties involve creating a unified strategy to increase affordable housing supply, providing technical assistance to states and local governments, and reporting annually to the President and Congress on housing needs and federal actions. The legislation also encourages states to form their own interagency councils and authorizes $4.8 million per year through 2031 to fund the council's operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Newton, New Jersey, as the "Anthony 'Tony' J. Gallopo VA Clinic." It directly affects the clinic's official designation and all federal references to it, including documents and maps. The change takes effect upon the bill's enactment, with no policy or funding changes involved. As a ceremonial naming bill, it honors Anthony "Tony" J. Gallopo but does not alter VA services or benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 5880, the "Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act," requires manufacturers and distributors of pill-making machines (like tableting machines) and their critical parts (such as punches and dies) to affix permanent serial numbers to these items. It mandates that these businesses report transactions involving such machines to the Attorney General and maintain records of the serial numbers. The law prohibits tampering with or knowingly distributing machines with removed or altered serial numbers. This directly affects manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of these specific pill-production machines and parts, aiming to improve tracking of equipment used in illicit drug manufacturing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic pre-approval systems for medical services by 2028 and meet transparency reporting standards starting in 2027. Plans must publicly report data on approval/denial rates, appeal outcomes, response times, and technology use for pre-approval requests, including details on how denials relate to clinical criteria. It establishes a 24-hour response timeframe for certain requests and mandates annual reviews of pre-approval requirements based on data and input from seniors and providers. The law directly affects Medicare Advantage plans, seniors enrolled in these plans, and healthcare providers who submit pre-approval requests. These changes aim to make the pre-approval process faster, more transparent, and more accountable for seniors seeking covered medical services.

Maddy summaryThe Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats Act authorizes $20 million annually to fund grants that help build and construction trade pre-apprenticeship programs. These programs are designed to prepare individuals from underrepresented groups, such as women, racial minorities, and veterans, for entry into registered apprenticeships by providing industry-aligned training and curriculum. Funding is awarded to nonprofit partnerships that include employers, labor organizations, and educational institutions, with a requirement that the training leads directly to available apprenticeship positions. The Department of Labor must evaluate the effectiveness of these projects based on participant success rates, and grants may be extended only if satisfactory performance is demonstrated.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day to honor the workers who maintain the nation's electrical grid. The bill specifically recognizes the dangerous conditions these employees face, such as working at heights near live power lines and responding to disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. It also commemorates Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died on July 10, 1896, while performing his duties. Ultimately, the measure encourages the public to observe this day with reflection on the contributions of lineworkers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for designating the fourth Sunday in June as "National Learn to Swim Week" to raise awareness about water safety. The bill highlights statistics from the CDC showing that drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury death for children and notes that formal swimming lessons can significantly reduce drowning risks. It emphasizes the need to address disparities in swimming skills across different communities and encourages governments and schools to promote access to swimming lessons and integrate water safety education. While the measure does not create new laws or funding, it serves as a formal statement of intent to encourage action on drowning prevention and aquatic safety.

Maddy summaryThe Prior Authorization Accountability Act requires health insurance plans and issuers to publicly report detailed data on their prior authorization processes starting in 2027. This includes submitting information on approval and denial rates, appeal outcomes, processing times, and the specific use of artificial intelligence or other automated technologies in making coverage decisions. The bill mandates that these reports be available on public websites for both individual and group coverage, allowing consumers to compare how different plans handle requests for medical services. Additionally, the legislation updates the Affordable Care Act to ensure that health plans sold through insurance exchanges display this new transparency data to help shoppers make informed choices.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of women enrolling in the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force, and Coast Guard Academies. It formally designates a specific day to honor the history and achievements of female cadets and graduates, noting their significant contributions to military leadership and combat roles since 1976. The text highlights specific milestones, such as women earning the Army Ranger tab and commanding aircraft carriers, while acknowledging their continued service in both uniform and civilian sectors. Ultimately, the bill serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the progress made by women in the armed forces without altering any existing laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThe Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to increase financial aid for college students by raising the maximum Pell Grant amount to $15,000 by the 2031-2032 award year and ensuring the program is fully funded through mandatory spending rather than annual appropriations. The bill also expands eligibility for students who receive means-tested government benefits by automatically assigning them a lower financial need score, while simultaneously allowing Dreamer students - undocumented immigrants who meet specific criteria such as graduating high school or serving in the military - to qualify for federal aid. Additional provisions restore the total number of semesters a student can receive Pell Grants from 12 to 18 and adjust the rules for satisfactory academic progress to reduce penalties for students who struggle to meet grade requirements. Finally, the legislation restores Pell Grant eligibility for some students who previously received outside scholarships and sets the law's effective date for July 1, 2026.