Rep. David P. Joyce

Veterans' Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers Act of 2025 or the Veterans' ACCESS Act of 2025 This bill addresses the administration of the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) and other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care matters. Among other provisions regarding the VCCP, the bill establishes in statute access standards that determine when a veteran is eligible to receive non-VA care through the VCCP, requires the VA to notify veterans regarding their eligibility for care within two business days after the VA is aware the veteran is seeking care, and extends the deadline for the submittal of claims under the VCCP by health care entities and providers. The VA must address its mental health treatment programs by establishing a standardized screening process to determine whether a veteran satisfies criteria for priority or routine admission to a mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program or a program for residential care for mental health and substance abuse disorders, tracking the performance of medical facilities and Veterans Integrated Service Networks in meeting the requirements for mental health treatment screenings and timely admission to treatment programs under such screenings, and establishing an appeal process for when a veteran is denied admission to a covered treatment program or is accepted into a program but not offered bed placement in a timely manner. Additionally, the VA must establish an online self-service module for veterans to request and manage appointments, track referrals, and appeal and track decisions related to requests for care.

Maddy summaryHR 4382 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics/Paralympics and 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics/Paralympics. It specifies gold, silver, and half-dollar coin designs with defined mintage limits (e.g., up to 100,000 $5 gold coins for each event), all bearing inscriptions like "2028" or "2034" and standard coin features. A surcharge ($5-$50 per coin) is added to sales, with all funds directed to the respective Olympic committees to support event hosting and legacy programs like youth sports. The bill ensures no net cost to the government by requiring surcharge revenues to cover all design, production, and marketing expenses before funds are disbursed.

Maddy summaryHRES 570 is a House resolution commending Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan for rescuing 165 people during catastrophic July 2025 flooding in central Texas. The resolution honors Ruskan, a Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician from Air Station Corpus Christi, for his role as the sole triage coordinator during the disaster. It recognizes his "exceptional courage" and "selflessness" in saving lives during the Guadalupe River flooding that caused extensive damage and loss of life. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the House's gratitude for Ruskan's service.

Maddy summaryThe CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands Medicare telehealth coverage by removing geographic restrictions that limited where patients could receive care, expanding the types of health care providers who can offer telehealth services, and eliminating the requirement for an in-person visit before receiving telemental health services. The bill includes specific provisions to support telehealth use for Native American health facilities, rural health clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. It requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to collect and publish data on telehealth usage and impacts, and to develop resources to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and limited English proficiency. Program integrity measures are added to monitor telehealth billing practices and prevent fraud while maintaining coverage for telehealth services during public health emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill retroactively applies the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians as of June 18, 1934, clarifying their federal jurisdiction status under existing law. It directly affects the Poarch Band by confirming all lands previously taken into trust by the U.S. for their benefit as valid trust lands. The key provision reaffirms the Secretary of the Interior's past actions in placing these lands into trust under the IRA, making those decisions legally final. This provides legal clarity for the tribe's land holdings and governance under federal law.

Maddy summaryHR 3946, the FIGHT Act of 2025, amends the Animal Welfare Act to specifically prohibit gambling on animal fighting events and restrict the interstate transport of roosters used in such ventures. It defines "rooster" as male chickens over six months old and makes it unlawful to sponsor, exhibit, attend (for those under 16), or gamble on animal fighting events - whether in-person or broadcast. The bill creates a civil enforcement mechanism allowing any person to file a lawsuit to stop violations after providing 60 days' notice to authorities, with potential fines up to $5,000 per violation. It also establishes seizure of property used to facilitate violations and clarifies that state laws on animal fighting remain in effect unless directly conflicting with federal provisions.

Maddy summaryHR 3999, the American Flags to Honor Our Veterans Act of 2025, amends federal law to allow permanent, upright American flags to be displayed adjacent to the graves of deceased veterans. It directly affects families of veterans and cemetery operators by permitting this flag placement at burial sites. The key provision modifies Title 4, U.S. Code, to specifically authorize secured flag displays next to graves of veterans (as defined in Title 38) or Armed Forces members (as defined in Title 10), replacing temporary flag displays with a permanent, standardized practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Veterans Health Administration (VHA) anesthesia practice standards to align with Defense Health Agency (DHA) guidelines, directly affecting VA-employed anesthesia providers (including physician anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists). It requires VHA to recognize certified registered nurse anesthetists as licensed independent practitioners under DHA’s 2023 standards and mandates certification from specific bodies for all anesthesia staff. Additionally, it sets a 25-hour minimum requirement for direct patient care experience for all VA anesthesia professionals and allows suspension for non-compliance. The bill also requires annual GAO reports comparing outcomes and costs across three anesthesia delivery models (anesthesiologist-led, CRNA-supervised, and CRNA-only) to be submitted to Congress.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act (HR 3686) requires the FDA to update its approval process for sunscreen ingredients by establishing new standards that allow real-world evidence and non-animal testing methods to demonstrate safety and effectiveness. It directs the FDA to incorporate historical safety data from previously approved ingredients into pending applications and issue guidance on non-animal testing within 180 days. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress on the implementation of these standards and the FDA’s progress in adopting alternative testing methods. This legislation aims to modernize a regulatory system that has not approved new sunscreen ingredients since 1999, potentially accelerating access to safer, more effective products.

Maddy summaryHRES 447 is a non-binding House resolution condemning antisemitism and honoring Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, two Israeli Embassy employees killed during a peace-focused panel discussion in 2023. The resolution specifically condemns all forms of antisemitism - including violence, vandalism, and online harassment - and remembers the victims, who were killed by a far-left activist affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation. It calls for enforcing existing hate crime laws and protecting religious freedom, without creating new legislation. This resolution symbolically supports Jewish communities and victims of antisemitic violence but does not alter legal requirements.