Rep. Patrick Ryan

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Combat Duty Pay Act of 1952 to extend combat pay eligibility for Korean War veterans who were POWs or missing-in-action (MIA). It changes the payment period from "not more than three months" to "for each month" they were held captive or missing. The law specifically applies to living veterans who previously received combat pay under the old rules, requiring the Secretary of Defense to adjust the amount using inflation. This results in retroactive payments for the full duration of their captivity, not just a three-month limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires military commanders to approve leave for active-duty service members and their dependents seeking abortion care without needing to disclose the specific procedure. It mandates reimbursement for travel costs to clinics providing abortion services when local access is unavailable and protects the privacy of those using this leave. The bill explicitly prohibits any negative consequences for service members who request or take such leave. It directly affects military personnel and their families by ensuring timely, private, and accessible abortion care without command interference.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how the VA calculates benefits for veterans with health conditions linked to military sexual trauma. It requires the VA to start paying retroactive benefits from the day after a veteran's military discharge, rather than from the claim filing date. This directly affects veterans diagnosed with covered mental or physical health conditions resulting from military sexual trauma. The key provision amends VA law to mandate retroactive payments beginning at discharge, ensuring veterans receive compensation for the full period they were discharged until the claim is approved. It does not alter eligibility but changes the effective date for payment calculations.

Maddy summaryThe SHIP Act imposes sanctions on foreign entities that knowingly handle Iranian petroleum, targeting those involved in port operations, transportation, refining, or ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil. Starting 90 days after enactment, the President must block assets, deny visas, and impose penalties on individuals or companies engaging in these activities, including family members or owners of sanctioned entities. It requires annual reports tracking Iran's oil exports, revenues, and key players like shipping companies and ports. The sanctions terminate if the President certifies Iran has stopped supporting terrorism and dismantled weapons programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires social media platforms to verify the age of users (13-18) and obtain parental consent for minors before allowing them to use platform features beyond basic viewing. It prohibits platforms from using algorithmic recommendation systems to target users under 18 with personalized content or advertising based on their personal data. The bill establishes a voluntary Pilot Program for secure digital identification to verify age and parental relationships, with strict privacy protections to prevent misuse of user data. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these requirements, with penalties for noncompliance, and the law takes effect one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the PROTECT Act, creates a federal initiative focused on reducing youth and young adult e-cigarette use. It directs the CDC to conduct research on youth e-cigarette use patterns, marketing, health impacts, and effective prevention strategies, while developing guidance for healthcare providers and schools. The initiative also mandates a public education campaign about e-cigarette risks and allocates $100 million annually (2024-2028) to fund state programs targeting youth tobacco prevention and cessation services. It directly affects youth and young adults (ages 13-24), healthcare systems, schools, and state health departments through these research, education, and funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 6201, the Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023, creates the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund to cover costs related to seizing and forfeiting property from Iran or its designated proxies (like Hezbollah or the Revolutionary Guard Corps) that violate U.S. sanctions. The fund, initially $150 million, pays for investigative costs, property management, informant rewards, and equipment for federal, state, and local agencies involved in enforcement. It also establishes an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to improve interagency cooperation on enforcing export controls targeting Iran. The bill requires annual reports on fund usage and mandates repayment of the initial $150 million by 2034, unless waived for national security reasons.

Maddy summaryHR 3816, the Veterans’ Entry to Apprenticeship Act, allows veterans using GI Bill benefits (under chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, or 35) to enroll in approved pre-apprenticeship programs and receive the same educational assistance and housing allowances as if they were in a registered apprenticeship program. The bill requires pre-apprenticeship programs to have sponsor certification (e.g., from a community college, employer, or government agency) confirming they prepare veterans for registered apprenticeships and meet industry skill standards. It treats these programs as equivalent to apprenticeships for benefit purposes, including charging entitlement at the same rate and providing housing allowances based on the location of the program. This directly affects veterans seeking career training through pre-apprenticeship pathways.

Maddy summaryHR 6150 amends the National Security Act of 1947 to require the inclusion of school safety strategies for elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions in the U.S. National Security Strategy. It mandates the Secretaries of Education and Homeland Security to conduct a threat assessment of schools nationwide, consult with state leaders, and submit a joint report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. The bill directly affects all public and private K-12 schools and colleges by requiring federal evaluation of security threats. Key provisions include the formal integration of school security into national strategy documents and a binding timeline for congressional reporting. The law focuses on establishing a systematic federal review process without specifying new funding or security measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to request state or EPA permit modifications for military facilities to mandate quarterly testing of PFAS chemicals in stormwater runoff and implement controls to reduce discharges. It directly affects DoD facilities, which use PFAS-containing firefighting foams, and the states or EPA issuing their stormwater permits. Key provisions include a one-year deadline for permit revisions (requiring quarterly PFAS monitoring and best management practices) and dedicating at least 1% of annual PFAS remediation funds for stormwater testing at military sites. The bill aims to reduce PFAS pollution from military operations into waterways through enforceable monitoring and control measures.