Rep. Jennifer A. Kiggans

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1117) is a formal statement by the U.S. House of Representatives opposing efforts to pressure Israel regarding Gaza. It specifically criticizes calls for an immediate ceasefire, including President Biden's April 4, 2024, statement and UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which the resolution claims was adopted due to the U.S. not vetoing it. The resolution affirms Israel’s right to self-defense following the October 7 Hamas attacks and emphasizes the U.S.-Israel relationship as a major strategic partnership. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws or policies but expresses the House’s position on diplomatic pressure related to Gaza.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. Code to lower the minimum student enrollment required for high schools to establish or maintain a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program, reducing the threshold from 100 to 50 students. It directly affects high schools seeking to start or sustain JROTC units, particularly those with smaller student populations. The key provision changes the existing requirement under Title 10, U.S. Code, making it easier for schools to qualify for JROTC participation. This is a straightforward policy adjustment to existing law, with no additional funding or program changes specified.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a barrier preventing Selected Reserve and National Guard members (who also work as civilian government employees) from enrolling in TRICARE Reserve Select health insurance. It modifies a law to allow these service members to purchase TRICARE Reserve Select plans starting January 1, 2025, instead of the previous 2030 effective date. The change aims to provide healthcare continuity during military mobilization and improve overall military readiness by ensuring consistent access to affordable coverage. It directly affects eligible reserve component members and their families who currently cannot enroll in TRICARE Reserve Select while having Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage.

Maddy summaryThe ONSHORE Act of 2024 establishes a $100 million annual grant program (2024-2028) to fund the development of underutilized industrial sites for manufacturing and advanced manufacturing projects. It prioritizes projects in rural, Tribal, or economically distressed communities (e.g., areas with high unemployment) and supports reshoring or greenfield foreign investments in critical sectors like advanced manufacturing. Grants cover site infrastructure (utilities, roads, permits), workforce training, and access to jobs for disadvantaged communities. The program requires no private company commitments upfront and restricts funding for foreign entities of concern.

Maddy summaryHRES 1127 is a symbolic House resolution commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and reaffirming U.S. policy toward Taiwan. It does not create new law but formally reiterates the U.S. commitment to Taiwan under the TRA framework, including regular defense transfers to support Taiwan's self-defense and advocacy for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations. The resolution highlights longstanding U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on trade, security, education, and global challenges like public health and cybersecurity. It specifically calls on the Secretary of State to advance Taiwan's international engagement and supports existing programs like the Taiwan Fellowship Program and the American Institute in Taiwan. As a procedural resolution, it expresses congressional support for current policy without altering legal obligations.

Maddy summaryHR 7921, the Countering Antisemitism Act, establishes a National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism within the Executive Office of the President and creates an Interagency Task Force to coordinate federal efforts against antisemitism across multiple agencies. The bill requires federal agencies to report on implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, mandates annual threat assessments of antisemitic violent extremism from the FBI, DHS, and National Counterterrorism Center, and addresses antisemitic discrimination in higher education through a designated Office for Civil Rights Designee. It also includes provisions for a study on Holocaust education by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, a study on online antisemitism with recommendations for Congress, and amendments to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to require public reporting on grant applications and awards.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and enhances NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Office to strengthen science-based management of the Bay ecosystem. It establishes new programs for integrated coastal monitoring (collecting data on water quality and habitats), expands school-based education initiatives for students and teachers, and funds habitat restoration projects targeting species like oysters, blue crabs, and submerged vegetation. The bill authorizes $17 million in fiscal year 2024, increasing to $22.6 million by 2027, and requires biennial reports to Congress on progress. These provisions directly support NOAA's work with the Chesapeake Executive Council, state agencies, and educational institutions to advance the Chesapeake Bay Program's goals.

Maddy summaryHR 7808, the EARLY Minds Act, amends the Public Health Service Act to require states receiving federal mental health funds to include evidence-based prevention and early intervention strategies for children and adolescents in their state plans. It allows states to use up to 5% of their annual mental health allotment to support these programs, which aim to prevent, delay, or reduce the severity of mental health issues before they become serious. States must report biennially to Congress by 2025 on the programs they implement, including demographics served, outcomes like reduced care access delays, and how programs lessen the onset of serious mental illness. The bill directly affects states administering federal mental health funds and targets youth populations aged 0-18.

Maddy summaryHRES 1109 is a symbolic resolution commemorating the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession in Washington, DC, where suffragists led by Alice Paul and Inez Milholland marched to demand voting rights for women. It honors the participants' courage during a protest that drew 500,000 spectators despite violent opposition, highlighting how this event advanced the national push for the 19th Amendment. The resolution does not create new laws but reaffirms support for voting rights equality, connecting the 1913 march to ongoing efforts to protect democratic access. It specifically acknowledges the intersectional struggles of women of color in the suffrage movement. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding policy effect.

Maddy summaryHRES 1089 is a symbolic resolution designating March 18, 2024, as the inaugural "Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness" to highlight the crisis of burnout among U.S. healthcare workers. It recognizes widespread burnout (affecting 50% of workers in 2020), associated mental health risks (like depression and suicide), and its impact on patient care and healthcare system capacity. The resolution expresses support for raising public awareness and mobilizing action across sectors - including government, health systems, and employers - to improve well-being, reduce administrative burdens, and strengthen the healthcare workforce. It does not create new laws or allocate funding, serving solely as a formal acknowledgment of an existing public health concern.