Rep. John James

Maddy summaryHR 6964 amends the National Security Act of 1947 to require the National Security Strategy to include "strategies and capabilities needed to ensure the safety and security of schools" at all levels - elementary, secondary, and colleges. It mandates a joint assessment by the Education and Homeland Security Secretaries of threats to these schools, including consultation with state leaders, and requires a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. The bill directly affects all public and private elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions across the United States. This legislation shifts school safety into the formal national security framework without altering existing funding or operational procedures.

Maddy summaryThe IMPROVE Safety for Schools Act requires schools receiving federal funding to provide parents with information about gun safety devices and their purchase. It creates a tax credit of up to $300 for purchasing firearm safety devices (secure gun storage), with income limitations that reduce the credit for higher earners. The bill also prohibits disclosure of tax return information related to this credit to federal agencies. Additionally, it includes provisions for de-escalation training for school staff and school safety specialist positions at schools. This bill directly affects local educational agencies, parents of schoolchildren, and taxpayers who purchase firearm safety devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 6932, the IDEAL Act) is a procedural appropriations measure focused on reallocating unused federal education funds. It permanently rescinds unobligated funds from the 2026 education budget and redirects those amounts to support the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. The funds are intended to supplement, not replace, existing IDEA funding for states, ensuring continued support for the education of approximately 8 million students with disabilities nationwide. The bill does not change IDEA's requirements or create new services, but rather manages existing funding allocations.

Essential Caregivers Act of 2025   This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods.   Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period. Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) working with Medicare Part D prescription drug plans and Medicaid programs. It mandates that PBMs pay pharmacies a specific reimbursement amount based on drug acquisition costs plus a fixed fee, pass through manufacturer rebates directly to beneficiaries at the point of sale, and prohibits steering practices that direct patients to specific pharmacies. The bill applies to Medicare Part D plans and Medicaid managed care organizations beginning January 1, 2027, affecting how PBMs interact with pharmacies and handle drug rebates. Violations could result in criminal penalties of up to $1 million or 10 years in prison for willful noncompliance. The bill aims to increase transparency and fairness in pharmacy drug pricing for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThe App Store Accountability Act requires major app stores (with over 5 million US users) to verify users' ages at account creation and obtain verifiable parental consent before minors can download apps or make in-app purchases. App stores must clearly display age ratings for apps, provide age verification data to developers, and notify parents of significant app changes affecting minors. App developers must verify user age and parental consent through the app store's system, use age data only for age-appropriate restrictions, and cannot enforce terms against minors without verified parental consent. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general will enforce these requirements, with app developers potentially shielded from liability if they follow the rules and industry standards.

Maddy summaryHR 1676, the "Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025," requires the federal government to approve or deny state wildlife conservation plans within 180 days of receiving them. This directly affects states that submit comprehensive wildlife conservation plans under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. If the Secretary fails to act within that timeframe, the state's plan is automatically approved as of the 180th day. The bill streamlines the approval process to prevent federal delays from blocking state conservation funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to expand substance abuse and suicide prevention services for children, adolescents, and young adults (up to age 25). It requires eligible providers - like pediatric specialists, emergency departments, and children’s hospitals - to offer parents or guardians counseling on preventing overdose/suicide and provide supplies to reduce access to lethal means (e.g., safe storage containers). The bill allocates at least $2 million annually in grants to fund these prevention programs through eligible entities, with funding authorized for fiscal years 2026-2030. It directly affects young people at risk of substance misuse or self-harm and their caregivers.

Maddy summaryHRES 920 is a ceremonial resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on November 29, 2025. It recognizes IDEA’s historical impact - establishing the right to free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities - and notes how it transformed access to education after over 1 million children were previously excluded from schools. The resolution does not create new policy or funding; it solely commemorates IDEA’s legacy, honors the students and families it has served, and acknowledges educators and advocates who advanced its implementation. This is a symbolic gesture with no direct effect on current law or services.

Maddy summaryHRES 917 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Korson’s Tree Farms in Montcalm County, Michigan, for being selected to provide the 2025 White House Christmas tree. It recognizes the farm as the first Michigan grower in 41 years to supply the official White House tree and highlights Michigan’s Christmas tree industry, which ranks third nationally in harvests and generates over $40 million annually. The resolution includes no policy changes or funding; it solely offers congratulations, acknowledges the farm’s past contest wins, and invites the farm to the Capitol for recognition. This procedural resolution affects no legislation or regulations, serving only as a symbolic honor.