Rep. Abigail Davis Spanberger

Maddy summaryThe End Drug Shortages Act amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to improve how drug shortages and sudden demand surges are reported to the FDA. It requires drug manufacturers to notify the FDA at least six months in advance of planned production stops or interruptions, and immediately if demand for a drug spikes unexpectedly. The bill updates the definition of a "drug shortage" to include periods when demand exceeds supply - factoring in how drugs are used, manufacturer data, and input from healthcare providers and patients. This aims to help the FDA and healthcare systems better anticipate and respond to supply disruptions affecting patients and hospitals.

Maddy summaryThis bill enhances the existing American Battlefield Protection Program by expanding eligibility for grants to include Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions, alongside States and local governments. It clarifies that eligible sites must be identified in the 1993 Civil War battlefield report or 2007 Revolutionary War/War of 1812 report, excluding sites already within National Park boundaries. The bill also requires the Secretary to submit updated battlefield condition reports to Congress every 10 years, starting two years after enactment, tracking preservation efforts and battlefield changes. These changes streamline program administration and ensure ongoing assessment of historic battlefield sites.

Maddy summaryHR 825, the BOLIVAR Act, prohibits U.S. federal agencies from entering into contracts for goods or services with entities knowingly conducting significant business dealings with Venezuela's government under Nicolás Maduro, which the U.S. does not recognize as legitimate. The law directly affects U.S. government contractors and businesses operating in Venezuela, banning contracts with those engaging in commerce with the Maduro regime. Key exceptions include contracts for humanitarian aid, disaster relief, national security needs, U.S. diplomatic operations in Venezuela, and contracts with international organizations. The prohibition applies to contracts entered into within three years of the bill's enactment, with the Secretary of State required to notify Congress about exceptions used.

Maddy summaryHRES 1410 is a procedural resolution that sets the rules for debating H.R. 82 in the House of Representatives. It allows the House to immediately consider H.R. 82 (which would repeal two Social Security provisions) without delays or objections. The resolution waives routine procedural hurdles, limits debate to one hour equally divided between the sponsors, and allows one motion to recommit. It does not change Social Security law itself - only the process for debating the underlying bill (H.R. 82). This resolution directly affects House members during the bill’s consideration phase.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides one-time financial assistance to U.S. farmers growing specific crops (like corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice) during the 2024 crop year if their expected costs exceed expected returns. Payments equal 60% of the difference between the expected cost of production per acre (based on USDA cost forecasts) and the expected gross return per acre (based on projected farm prices and yields). Payments are calculated using actual planted acreage plus 50% of acreage prevented from planting due to natural disasters, with annual caps of $175,000 or $350,000 depending on the farm’s primary income source. The program uses existing USDA data sources and applies standard farm payment limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to expand workforce development in food and agricultural sciences. It authorizes $60 million annually (2025-2030) for grants supporting paid, work-based learning programs at colleges, including junior/community colleges and vocational institutions, to train professionals for agricultural careers. The bill also updates funding mechanisms for teaching enhancement projects and creates a new NRCS hiring authority allowing direct appointments for technical roles without standard civil service rules. It directly affects educational institutions offering agricultural programs and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how disability benefits are treated for homeless disabled veterans seeking housing assistance. It excludes certain disability payments (under Chapter 11 or 15 of Title 38, U.S. Code) from income calculations when determining eligibility for HUD-assisted housing programs, including the supported housing program under Section 8(o)(19) and housing on Department property. Specifically, it ensures these benefits are not counted toward income for housing eligibility, though they still count for "adjusted income" definitions. The bill directly affects disabled veterans applying for HUD housing assistance who receive these specific disability benefits. It makes a concrete change to income calculation rules without altering benefit amounts or creating new funding.

Maddy summaryThe VA Employee Fairness Act of 2024 modifies collective bargaining rules for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). It removes existing subsections (b), (c), and (d) from the law governing VHA employee bargaining and renumbers the remaining provision. This change streamlines the collective bargaining framework but does not alter the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' existing authorities over incentive pay and expedited hiring. The bill directly affects VHA employees by changing how their collective bargaining rights are structured under federal law. The law remains neutral, focusing solely on procedural adjustments to the existing bargaining framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates grant programs to support partnerships between institutions of higher education and high-need local educational agencies. It focuses on preparing and supporting teachers and school leaders through residency programs, evidence-based professional development, and mentorship, particularly for high-need schools with teacher shortages. The grants would help educators develop skills to work effectively with diverse student populations and improve student learning outcomes. Partnerships receiving grants must track outcomes like educator retention, certification pass rates, and placement in high-need schools.

Maddy summaryHRES 1537 is a non-binding House resolution condemning Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, including 7 Americans still held captive. It calls on Hamas to immediately surrender, cease attacks, and release all hostages unconditionally, while reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense. The resolution also urges international organizations to condemn Hamas' actions and address the global surge in antisemitism following the attacks. As a symbolic statement, it does not create new laws or alter policy but expresses congressional position. The bill specifically references the ongoing captivity of seven U.S. citizens: Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Gadi Haggai, Judith Weinstein Haggai, Omer Neutra, and Keith Siegel.