Rep. Josh Riley

Maddy summaryThe REAL Butter Act requires food manufacturers to clearly label products made from lab-created milkfat as "lab-created butter" on their packaging. This rule applies to any item marketed as butter that uses non-agricultural sources for its milkfat instead of traditional dairy. The law defines these products specifically as those that do not meet the existing federal standard of identity for butter. By mandating this specific wording on labels, the bill aims to ensure consumers can easily distinguish between traditional butter and synthesized alternatives.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting America's Herds Act creates a grant program for cooperative extension services to help prepare for and respond to New World screwworm outbreaks in livestock. Funds awarded through this competitive process can be used to train staff, support animal inspections, educate producers, and provide direct technical assistance on prevention and treatment. The Department of Agriculture must prioritize grants for states and Tribal communities at higher risk of the pest spreading and coordinate closely with veterinary and agricultural experts. This legislation aims to strengthen the nation's ability to detect and manage this specific animal health threat through improved readiness and education.

Maddy summaryThe Protect Local Funding Act prohibits federal agencies from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a specific proposed rule regarding federal financial assistance scheduled for publication in May 2026. This legislation directly affects the Office of Management and Budget and other federal agencies by legally blocking them from acting on that particular regulation. By preventing the enforcement of this rule, the bill aims to stop a specific administrative action that could impact how federal funds are distributed. The measure does not alter existing funding programs but rather serves as a procedural barrier to a future regulatory change.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Precision Oncology Program for Prostate Cancer within the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide specialized care and research for veterans diagnosed with prostate or related genitourinary cancers. The legislation authorizes the creation of at least 21 designated Centers of Excellence across the country, each required to offer genetic sequencing, clinical trials, and specialized medical staff to treat eligible veterans. A dedicated leadership team will coordinate these centers, maintain a national data registry, and develop uniform tools to standardize care and research efforts. The program includes a five-year funding authorization of $15.5 million annually and mandates that existing prostate cancer resources at these facilities remain protected until 2030. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit detailed implementation plans and annual performance reports to Congress to ensure accountability.

Maddy summaryThe Juice for Healthy Families Act of 2026 amends the Child Nutrition Act to increase the maximum monthly allowance of single-strength juice for participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Under this change, families receiving Food Packages IV, V, VI, or VII would be authorized to receive up to 128 fluid ounces of juice per month instead of the current limit. This policy adjustment directly affects WIC participants by expanding their access to juice as part of their nutritional support. The bill does not alter eligibility requirements or the overall structure of the program, focusing solely on the specific quantity of juice permitted.

Maddy summaryHR 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, requires employers to begin negotiating a first contract with a newly certified union within 10 days of written request. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, the parties must seek mediation, and if unresolved after 30 days of mediation, the dispute moves to binding arbitration by a three-member panel. The arbitration decision, based on factors like employer finances, industry standards, and cost of living, becomes binding for two years. This bill directly affects newly certified unions and their employers during initial contract negotiations, aiming to reduce delays that currently average 465 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a wide range of reforms to government ethics, campaign finance, and presidential powers, including restrictions on trading by officials, term limits for Congress, and new ethics rules for the Supreme Court. It would require Congress to reduce its own pay if the debt limit is reached or a government shutdown occurs, while also banning corporate political action committees and increasing transparency for campaign spending and redistricting. The legislation further seeks to limit presidential authority by prohibiting self-pardons, restricting payments to the President, and requiring congressional oversight of certain pardons, alongside measures to enforce voting rights and penalize former officials convicted of felonies.

Maddy summaryThe Helen Keller Education Act aims to improve educational outcomes for children with deafblindness by requiring states to identify and serve these students regardless of how they are currently classified. The bill mandates that schools evaluate deafblind children using qualified professionals who understand their unique communication needs, including tactile sign language and other non-symbolic methods. It also establishes new requirements for state plans to ensure sufficient availability of specialized teachers and interveners, while providing technical assistance and updated policy guidance to parents and educators. Additionally, the legislation strengthens early intervention services for infants and toddlers with deafblindness by including specific language and communication goals in their individualized plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act, amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to improve special education services for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafdisabled, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. It requires states to identify these students regardless of how they are currently classified, ensuring they receive specialized instruction in their primary language and access to qualified professionals. Key provisions mandate that state plans include specific strategies for language development, Braille instruction, and the use of assistive technologies, while also establishing a new national center to support research and training for educators of students with visual disabilities. Additionally, the legislation clarifies definitions for deafblindness and interveners, updates data reporting requirements to track these populations more accurately, and ensures early intervention services are delivered in natural environments to support language and communication milestones.

Maddy summaryThe Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act directs the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services to expand research, education, and clinical care for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. Key provisions include funding grants for biomedical studies on specific health conditions, creating new research categories for menopausal symptoms, and establishing Centers of Excellence to improve professional training for healthcare providers. The bill also mandates a national public awareness program, the development of online educational resources, and the creation of a data dashboard to track health outcomes and address disparities among rural and underserved populations. These efforts are supported by authorized funding of $25 million for research and $10 million for public health promotion and training programs for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031.