Maddy summary# Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024 - Summary This is a comprehensive appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024 that allocates funding to various federal agencies and programs while imposing numerous restrictions on how those funds can be used. The document is structured into several titles with specific provisions. **Key provisions include:** - **Funding allocations** for numerous federal agencies, including the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and various financial regulatory bodies - **Numerous restrictions** on fund usage, such as: - Prohibiting use of funds for computer networks that don't block pornography (Section 625) - Requiring contraceptive coverage in health insurance contracts (Section 726) - Limiting pay increases for certain government employees (Section 737) - Prohibiting use of funds to legalize or reduce penalties for schedule I substances (Section 809) - Prohibiting use of funds for painting portraits of government officials (Section 736) - **Rescission provisions** totaling billions of dollars from unobligated balances: - $150 million from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund (Section 634) - $80 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds (Section 635) - $290 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds (Section 636) - $10 billion from Inflation Reduction Act funds (Section 637) - **General provisions** for government-wide operations, including: - Requirements for reporting on conference costs (Section 738) - Restrictions on reprogramming funds (Section 703) - Rules for employee travel and conferences (Section 727) - Requirements for disclosure of federal funding in communications (Section 630) - **District of Columbia specific provisions** (Title IV) that include: - Restrictions on use of federal funds for certain activities - Requirements for budget realignment - Prohibitions on using funds for abortion except in specific circumstances - Restrictions on use of funds for recreational marijuana legalization The bill is formally titled "Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024" and establishes the funding framework for federal agencies and programs for the 2024 fiscal year, with numerous specific constraints on how those funds can be utilized.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe LIFT Homebuyers Act of 2023 creates a new program to help low-income first-time homebuyers purchase single-family homes. It establishes a government fund to subsidize mortgage payments, capping them at 100-110% of standard 30-year FHA loan payments for eligible buyers earning under 120% of local median income (140% in high-cost areas). The program requires borrowers to self-attest to eligibility - such as being a first-time homebuyer with no parental home ownership history - without additional verification. It applies to mortgages insured by HUD or USDA with case numbers issued by December 2025, aiming to expand access through simplified loan terms and reduced upfront costs.
Maddy summaryS 2323, the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2023, requires Medicare to cover genetic counseling services provided by licensed genetic counselors starting January 1, 2024. It establishes that these services must be paid at 85% of the physician rate for equivalent services and mandates a new billing modifier to identify genetic counselor services. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking genetic counseling and genetic counselors who can now bill Medicare directly under defined licensing or federal criteria. Key provisions include amending Medicare payment rules to treat genetic counselor services similarly to nurse practitioner services for reimbursement purposes. The law does not change who can provide genetic counseling but ensures Medicare covers it when delivered by qualified genetic counselors.
Maddy summaryS 2299 prohibits the federal government from imposing or carrying out the death penalty for any violation of federal law after the bill's enactment date. It also requires that any person already sentenced to death for a federal offense before enactment be resentenced. The bill directly affects all individuals currently facing or convicted of federal crimes that carry the death penalty under current law. This legislation would eliminate the federal death penalty as a sentencing option and mandate new sentencing hearings for existing death row cases.
Maddy summaryThe Driving for Opportunity Act of 2023 (S 2313) provides federal grants to states that repeal laws allowing driver’s license suspensions for unpaid civil or criminal fines and fees (e.g., traffic tickets, child support). It directly affects millions of people - particularly in rural areas without public transit - who face license suspensions for non-driving-related debt, trapping them in poverty by blocking access to jobs and essential services. The bill’s key mechanism is funding states to reinstate licenses and vehicle registrations suspended for these reasons, with requirements to maximize eligibility, assist those in transportation-limited areas, and report on program outcomes. States must first repeal such suspension laws to qualify for grants, which cover costs of reinstatement and must be reported on annually. The law aims to reduce a widespread "poverty trap" while redirecting law enforcement resources from non-safety-related suspensions.
Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that the Air National Guard maintain at least 25 fighter squadrons, with each squadron having a minimum of 18 aircraft, to preserve its combat readiness. It requires the Air Force Secretary to create a detailed plan by 2024 for fully replacing all Air National Guard fighter aircraft by 2034 and integrating new Next Generation Air Dominance systems. The plan must ensure "one-for-one" replacement of aging aircraft while allowing limited waivers for extraordinary circumstances, subject to congressional review. The policy directly affects the Air National Guard's aircraft inventory, modernization schedule, and funding priorities.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be used for hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption. It directly affects SNAP recipients who previously could not purchase such items (like hot meals from food trucks or delis) with their benefits. The key change removes the prior exclusion of "hot foods" from the list of permitted purchases under SNAP, while still excluding alcohol and tobacco. Vendors selling hot foods must now ensure that no more than 50% of their total gross sales come from hot food items to maintain SNAP eligibility.
Maddy summaryThe Fairness for Farm Workers Act (S 2253) updates overtime rules for agricultural workers under federal law. It gradually reduces the maximum workweek before overtime pay applies: starting at 55 hours in 2024, decreasing to 40 hours by 2027 for most farms. The bill also removes existing exemptions that previously allowed farms to avoid overtime pay for certain workers. Small farms (with 25 or fewer employees) have delayed compliance dates, with full 40-hour limits applying by 2030 for them, compared to 2027 for larger farms.
Maddy summaryS 2257, the Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equity Act, requires the Federal Reserve to actively work toward eliminating racial and economic disparities in its operations. The bill mandates that the Federal Reserve consider racial equity when conducting monetary policy, regulating financial institutions, and enforcing fair lending laws. It also requires the Federal Reserve to annually report to Congress with detailed data on disparities in employment, income, and wealth across racial, ethnic, and gender groups. This bill directly affects the Federal Reserve's duties and reporting obligations under the Federal Reserve Act.
Maddy summaryS 928, the "Not Just a Number Act," requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to publish an annual report on veteran suicide rates starting 18 months after enactment. The report must include detailed data broken down by age, gender, and race/ethnicity, plus comparisons between veterans who used VA health services (like Vet Centers or mental health care) versus those who did not, and veterans engaged with VA benefits programs (such as education assistance, disability compensation, or housing loans). The bill also mandates a toolkit for state/local coroners to better identify and report veteran suicides, and a study on creating a dedicated VA suicide prevention office. These requirements aim to improve data collection, analysis, and reporting on veteran suicide trends to inform prevention strategies.