Rep. Michael T. McCaul

Maddy summaryHR 2955, the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, establishes a Federal Work Group to improve data collection and best practices for youth in residential programs (like therapeutic schools, treatment centers, and group homes). The Work Group, composed of federal agency representatives and diverse stakeholders, must develop national data standards, create risk assessment tools, and issue biennial reports with recommendations to enhance safety, reduce restraints, and expand community-based alternatives. It directly affects youth with mental health, substance use, or disability needs placed in these facilities, as well as agencies overseeing them. The bill also mandates a National Academies study to examine funding, oversight, and barriers to community care. These mechanisms aim to standardize data tracking and promote less restrictive, trauma-informed care for youth in residential programs.

Maddy summaryHRES 311 is a non-binding House resolution encouraging the expansion of the Abraham Accords to promote normalization of relations between Israel and additional countries. It urges the U.S. government to support these agreements while ensuring tangible security and economic benefits for citizens in participating nations. The resolution expresses support for U.S.-Israel security cooperation and existing financial commitments under the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new legal requirements but formally advocates for deeper regional diplomatic engagement.

Maddy summaryHRES 90 is a resolution demanding the Chinese government immediately release Mark Swidan, a U.S. citizen from Texas who has been detained since 2012 on drug trafficking charges. The resolution cites the UN Human Rights Council Working Group finding his detention arbitrary, with no evidence of drug offenses, passport records showing he wasn’t in China during the alleged crimes, and China denying his family contact and medical care. It specifically condemns China for blocking U.S. diplomatic access and calls on the U.S. government to prioritize Swidan’s release through diplomatic channels. The resolution focuses on the case’s documented legal and humanitarian issues, not broader policy implications.

Maddy summaryHR 2845, the Enhancing K-12 Cybersecurity Act, creates a centralized School Cybersecurity Information Exchange website managed by CISA to provide K-12 schools, school districts, and state education agencies with tailored cybersecurity resources, best practices, and funding opportunities. It establishes a voluntary registry for schools to report cyber incidents (like ransomware attacks) and requires CISA to publish annual, anonymized reports on incident trends. The bill also funds a K-12 Cybersecurity Technology Improvement Program to deploy protective tools, offer training, and prevent threats, with $10 million authorized annually for 2024-2025. This directly supports schools in strengthening digital security for students and staff, focusing on practical, accessible solutions rather than legislative changes.

This resolution recognizes the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and South Korea. Affirming the importance of the U.S.-South Korean alliance as the linchpin to safeguarding peace, security, and prosperity on the Korean peninsula, the resolution welcomes President Yoon Suk Yeol to the United States. It also supports ongoing defense and security ties, calls for continued promotion of human rights, and encourages close cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2023 This bill eliminates the five-year amortization requirement for research and experimental expenditures, thus allowing continued expensing of such expenditures in the taxable years in which they are incurred.

Maddy summaryHJRES 27 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a federal rule that redefined which waterways fall under the Clean Water Act's protections. It targets a rule submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023, which aimed to revise the "Waters of the United States" definition. The resolution would formally disapprove this rule under a specific federal procedure (Chapter 8 of Title 5), preventing it from taking effect. This would directly affect how federal agencies regulate pollution and development near water bodies, including wetlands and smaller streams.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. government to develop diplomatic strategies with allies to counter China's surveillance balloon program, including sharing intelligence about balloon violations and coordinating international responses. It requires the Commerce Department to evaluate export controls on aerospace technologies linked to China's military surveillance and mandates a report on these controls within 180 days. The bill also authorizes sanctions against Chinese officials managing the balloon program, including property blocking and visa restrictions, starting 180 days after enactment. These measures target China's global surveillance efforts and aim to protect U.S. airspace sovereignty through diplomatic, economic, and regulatory tools.

Maddy summaryHR 2455, the Jenna Quinn Law, creates federal grants to fund local, evidence-based child sexual abuse prevention programs in schools and communities. It directly affects schools, organizations, and community groups by providing up to 5 years of funding to develop programs that teach students about recognizing and reporting abuse, train teachers and mandatory reporters, and educate parents. Key provisions require grant recipients to submit annual reports on program activities and outcomes, and mandate two federal evaluations: one assessing program effectiveness after 5 years and another examining potential duplication with existing federal efforts. The law focuses on practical, age-appropriate prevention strategies without prescribing specific curricula or outcomes.

Maddy summaryHR 1831 would award Billie Jean King a Congressional Gold Medal to honor her lifelong advocacy for equal rights in sports and society. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal and have it presented by congressional leaders, recognizing her pivotal role in advancing women's equality through tennis (including founding the Women’s Tennis Association and securing equal prize money) and her broader impact on society through initiatives like Title IX advocacy.