Rep. André Carson

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution directs the President to withdraw all U.S. armed forces from hostilities in Lebanon within seven days of the bill's adoption. It uses the War Powers Resolution to mandate this withdrawal while explicitly allowing continued security cooperation with Lebanese forces and the protection of diplomatic facilities. The measure clarifies that it does not authorize the use of military force, serving as a specific instruction to end active combat operations in the region.

Maddy summaryThe Veterans STAND Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide annual preventative health assessments to veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. These assessments cover risks for health complications, chronic pain management, dietary needs, prosthetic equipment, and access to assistive technologies like spinal cord neuromodulation devices. The VA must consult with medical specialists and device manufacturers when creating guidelines and submit yearly reports to Congress on veterans' use of these services and devices. This policy directly affects veterans with spinal cord injuries by ensuring regular, tailored health evaluations to improve long-term management and independence.

Maddy summaryHR 4398, the Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act, requires Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians or nurse practitioners to certify the death of a veteran who dies of natural causes within 48 hours of learning of the death. This directly affects veterans' families, who previously faced delays of up to eight weeks in burial and access to survivor benefits due to slow death certifications. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress on VA compliance with the 48-hour rule, including statistics on delays and their causes. The key change is establishing a strict timeline for death certification to prevent unnecessary delays in honoring veterans' final arrangements.

Maddy summaryThe Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2026 allows nationals of Haiti and their immediate family members who have lived continuously in the United States since June 26, 2024, to apply for permanent resident status. To qualify, applicants must submit their request within three years of the bill's enactment and generally cannot have been convicted of aggravated felonies, multiple crimes of moral turpitude, or acts of persecution. The bill also permits eligible individuals with existing deportation orders to apply without first overturning those orders and grants them work authorization while their applications are pending. Additionally, the legislation ensures that granting permanent residence to these applicants does not reduce the number of available immigrant visas for other categories.

Maddy summaryThe Home Internet Accessibility Act requires the Comptroller General to produce a detailed report within a year on which federally assisted housing units currently have or lack the infrastructure to support high-speed internet. This report will analyze specific challenges, costs, and timelines for upgrading these properties, broken down by location and demographic data, while also reviewing past retrofitting efforts and pilot programs. Following this analysis, the Department of Housing and Urban Development must create a formal plan to upgrade necessary housing to support broadband service and submit it to Congress within 18 months. The legislation directly affects residents of government-subsidized housing by aiming to ensure their living spaces can accommodate modern internet connectivity.

Maddy summaryThe GRACE for Military Survivors Act extends the deadline for contributing military death benefits to Roth IRAs and Coverdell education savings accounts from one year to three years. This change directly benefits families of service members who receive these death benefits, giving them more time to save for retirement or education. The law applies to benefits received after the bill is enacted and includes a special rule allowing contributions made within a specific window for benefits received between 2001 and the enactment date. By amending the Internal Revenue Code, the bill ensures that eligible funds can be deposited into these tax-advantaged accounts without losing their value due to time limits.

Maddy summaryThe RETURN Act requires the IRS to provide taxpayers with a detailed written explanation whenever a refund claim is denied, including specific instructions on how to appeal the decision. If the agency fails to issue this explanation within 12 months of receiving the claim, the interest rate on the taxpayer's overpayment will increase by one percentage point, capped at $500 and adjusted for inflation after 2026. The law explicitly excludes frivolous claims from these requirements, though taxpayers still receive written notification of denial for such cases. This legislation directly affects individuals and businesses filing for tax refunds by mandating clearer communication and imposing financial penalties on the IRS for delays in processing refund determinations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to individuals who fought for or with the United States in the Pacific theater during World War II and subsequently became prisoners of war. The legislation specifically recognizes the service and sacrifice of those who defended locations such as Bataan and Corregidor, including Filipino soldiers and civilians who served alongside U.S. forces. To implement this award, the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate will arrange for the creation of a gold medal by the Secretary of the Treasury, which will be presented to the Smithsonian Institution for display. The act also allows for the production of duplicate bronze medals to cover the costs of the original gold medals, with any proceeds from these sales deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act, aims to combat unpaid wages by strengthening penalties for employers who violate federal labor laws and providing workers with better tools to recover stolen money. It directly affects employees across industries who are currently at risk of not receiving their full compensation for hours worked, tips, or benefits. Key provisions require employers to provide detailed paystubs and final payments within 14 days of termination, increase civil fines for violations, and extend the time limit for workers to file lawsuits from two to four years. Additionally, the legislation creates a new grant program to fund community partnerships between the Department of Labor and local organizations to educate workers, assist with claims, and improve enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThe Diversity Visa Protection and Modernization Act limits the executive branch's ability to completely stop the Diversity Visa Program, which provides immigration opportunities to applicants from countries with low rates of migration to the United States. Instead of allowing indefinite or broad pauses, the bill permits only targeted restrictions on specific countries, individual security denials, or temporary suspensions lasting no more than 60 days. Any such limitation requires the relevant government officials to notify Congress and publish details about the threat and legal basis at least seven days in advance. Additionally, the law ensures that individuals who have already received a Diversity Visa cannot lose their eligibility due to a temporary program-wide suspension.