Rep. Jared Moskowitz

Maddy summaryHR 4709, the U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2023, amends a reporting requirement in the National Defense Authorization Act to enhance U.S.-Israel cooperation on countering Iranian drone threats. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report within 180 days detailing the status of joint efforts to develop and deploy counter-drone technologies, including assessments of current capabilities and proposed policy changes. It also increases funding for this cooperation from $40 million to $55 million annually. The bill directly affects U.S. and Israeli military operations by mandating formal coordination to address Iran’s growing arsenal of armed drones, which have been used against U.S. allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. This is a procedural bill focused on improving existing coordination, not on new weapons or sanctions.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for home modifications for disabled veterans using VA home health services. It raises the maximum annual amount veterans can receive for home improvements from $6,800 to $10,000 and for structural alterations from $2,000 to $5,000. The bill also requires annual adjustments to these amounts based on inflation, using the Consumer Price Index, to maintain their real value over time. These changes apply only to veterans who first apply for these benefits after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryHR 1815 creates a three-year pilot program to test assisted living services as an alternative to VA nursing home care for eligible veterans. It directly affects veterans currently receiving VA nursing home care or needing higher care than VA domiciliary services but not meeting full nursing home criteria. The program selects six VA service networks (prioritizing regions with high nursing home use and rural areas), contracts with approved facilities meeting VA standards, and pays lower rates than nursing home costs. The VA must report annually on participants, costs, barriers, and quality, with a final report recommending whether to expand the program nationwide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse veterans for travel expenses at the same rate used for government employees traveling on official business. It directly affects veterans receiving VA medical care who travel using personal vehicles, ensuring their mileage reimbursement matches the federal standard set by the General Services Administration. The key change aligns the VA's reimbursement rate with the existing federal government rate (currently 41.5 cents per mile), eliminating the previous fixed rate and requiring annual updates to reflect current government standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 1282 (Major Richard Star Act), expands benefits for certain military retirees by allowing them to receive both veterans' disability compensation and military retirement pay simultaneously. It specifically affects combat-related disabled retirees under Chapter 61 of the military retirement system who have fewer than 20 years of service. The key change removes the automatic reduction of military retirement pay when these retirees also receive disability compensation, as amended in Section 1413a(b)(3) of Title 10. Technical updates to the law’s structure and effective date (starting after enactment) complete the provisions.

Mercury 13 Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate the Mercury 13 in recognition of their accomplishments as part of the First Lady Astronaut Trainees (FLATs) Program (a privately funded project testing women pilots for astronaut fitness in the 1960s), their work for gender equity, and their example of women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Maddy summaryHRES 580 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House's support for designating "Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day." It honors lineworkers who work in hazardous conditions (such as at heights near live wires) and respond to disasters like hurricanes and wildfires, while recognizing their contributions and the legacy of Henry Miller, an early electrical worker who died on the job. The resolution has no legal effect - it solely encourages public recognition and reflection on these workers' service.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution condemns the April 2023 conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), calling for an immediate ceasefire and adherence to prior cease-fire agreements. It urges the U.S. government to scale up humanitarian aid, prioritize support for displaced civilians and children, and apply sanctions against those obstructing Sudan’s democratic transition or violating international law. The resolution directs U.S. agencies to coordinate with local actors, ensure aid reaches civilians, and develop strategies for civilian-led negotiations. As a non-binding statement, it expresses congressional support for Sudanese civilians and democratic transition without creating new legal requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryJaime’s Law requires federal background checks for ammunition purchases by expanding existing firearm background check rules to include ammunition. It mandates that unlicensed buyers must transfer ammunition through a licensed dealer (e.g., a gun store), who conducts the background check before completing the sale. The law includes exemptions for transfers between family members, law enforcement, transfers due to death, immediate self-defense situations, and legitimate shooting or hunting activities (with specific conditions). It explicitly states the law does not create a national ammunition registry and does not override state laws on ammunition.

Child Care Investment Act of 2023 This bill increases the employer-provided child care tax credit, the amount excludable from gross income for dependent care flexible spending accounts, and makes the household and dependent care tax credit refundable. Among other provisions, the bill increases the rate of the employer-provided child care tax credit from 25% to 50% and increases the maximum credit amount from $150,000 to $500,000. It also increases (1) the pre-tax deduction for dependent care flexible spending accounts from $5,000 to $10,000, plus an additional $2,000 for each eligible dependent; and (2) the rate of the household and dependent care tax credit and makes such credit refundable.