Rep. Pablo José Hernández

Maddy summaryThe Puerto Rico Democratic Self-Determination Act establishes a mandatory, two-round plebiscite in 2027 to allow eligible voters in Puerto Rico to choose among four political status options: independence, current Commonwealth status, statehood, or sovereignty in free association with the United States. If a majority vote is not achieved in the initial election, a runoff will be held to select between the two most popular choices, with the results triggering specific transition procedures for each outcome. Under the independence and free association paths, the bill outlines steps for drafting a new constitution, electing officers, and a presidential proclamation that would transfer sovereignty and end U.S. territorial control. For the statehood option, the President would issue a proclamation admitting Puerto Rico as the 51st state, while the Commonwealth option would create a joint commission to negotiate reforms to the current relationship. The legislation also details how federal laws, including tax codes and immigration rules, would change depending on the chosen status and ensures that existing economic benefits and social security rights are protected during any transition.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins must feature designs honoring victims and first responders (including the inscription "Never Forget") and will be sold only during 2027-2028. All surcharges ($35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin) collected from sales will fund the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, with no net cost to the federal government. The coins are legal tender but primarily intended for collectors, not circulation.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and strengthens the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection program. It establishes that all federal, state, and local government records related to historical civil rights cases must carry a presumption of immediate public disclosure, with full access intended for public understanding. Key provisions include allowing the Review Board to reimburse state/local governments for digitizing or copying records to add to the national collection, removing an exception that previously blocked state records from being included, and extending the Review Board's term from 7 to 11 years. The bill directly affects government agencies holding these records and the public seeking historical transparency about civil rights cases.

Maddy summaryThe Extinction Prevention Act of 2026 establishes four separate conservation funds to provide financial assistance for protecting threatened and endangered species in specific regions. The bill creates funds for butterflies in North America, plants in the Pacific Islands, freshwater mussels in the United States, and desert fish in the Southwest, with each fund managed by the Secretary of the Interior. Eligible applicants, such as state agencies, nonprofits, and research institutions, can apply for competitive grants to support habitat protection, research, and management plans, while federal agencies are restricted to partnering roles rather than leading projects. Each fund is authorized to receive $5 million annually from 2027 through 2032, and the Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing project outcomes and the status of the species.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the HUD Data Privacy Act of 2026, restricts how the Department of Housing and Urban Development can share personal information with other agencies or third parties. It mandates that data collected from individuals receiving federal housing assistance be used solely to verify their eligibility for benefits or to determine the amount of aid they receive. The law includes specific exceptions for sharing deidentified data for research, ongoing criminal investigations, or preventing immediate threats to life, while explicitly prohibiting the use of this information for immigration enforcement purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend federal law to strengthen penalties for organized retail crime by expanding definitions of theft to include digital goods, gift cards, and setting a $5,000 aggregate value threshold for charges over a 12-month period. It would establish a new "Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center" under Homeland Security to coordinate Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement efforts against cross-jurisdictional theft groups. The Center would share information with retailers, transportation companies, and law enforcement agencies, track crime trends, and produce annual reports on organized retail crime. This legislation directly affects retailers, supply chain businesses, and law enforcement agencies, while targeting organized crime groups responsible for a 93% increase in larceny incidents and rising safety concerns for retail employees. The bill aims to address significant financial losses and supply chain disruptions noted in the National Retail Federation's 2023 data.

Maddy summaryHR 2137, the Review Every Veterans Claim Act of 2025, prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from denying benefit claims solely because a veteran misses a required medical exam. It amends Section 5103A of Title 38, U.S. Code, to prohibit automatic denials for missed exams and requires the VA to consider other factors. This directly affects veterans filing claims for VA benefits who skip scheduled medical evaluations. The bill ensures veterans cannot be rejected for a claim based only on non-attendance, while allowing denials for other valid reasons.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the value of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, a federal system that requires over 8,000 industrial facilities to submit data on their emissions. The bill highlights how this program provides transparent information on pollution sources to help government agencies, researchers, and communities make informed decisions about public health and environmental protection. It specifically notes that the data collected supports efforts to address climate change and protects vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected by air pollution. The measure does not create new laws or regulations but serves to express support for the existing reporting requirements and their role in maintaining scientific integrity.

Maddy summaryThe No WAR Act prohibits Congress from using budget reconciliation procedures to fund military hostilities against Iran unless such actions are explicitly authorized by a formal declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force. This legislation directly affects the legislative process by establishing a point of order that blocks any reconciliation bill attempting to provide budget authority for offensive military operations, strikes, or covert actions targeting Iranian military forces, territory, or government institutions. The bill also defines proxy forces as any foreign military or irregular groups operating with U.S. direction or material support, ensuring these entities are included in the restrictions on unauthorized funding. By amending the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, the measure aims to prevent the use of budgetary shortcuts to bypass the constitutional requirement for congressional approval before engaging in armed conflict with Iran.

Maddy summaryThe Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for Small Business Administration loans to include small businesses owned by certain non-citizens. Specifically, it allows businesses to qualify if they are at least 51 percent owned and controlled by individuals who are lawfully present in the United States and authorized to work, such as refugees, asylees, permanent residents, and specific nonimmigrant visa holders. The bill also permits businesses owned by individuals living outside the United States to apply for these loans. This change aims to broaden access to federal financial support for small enterprises by removing previous restrictions based on the citizenship or permanent residency status of the business owners.