Rep. Diana Harshbarger

Maddy summaryThe PEAT Act of 2026 amends federal regulations to clarify how certain biologic drugs are classified for approval purposes. Specifically, it prevents the Food and Drug Administration from denying approval to a biologic product simply because it contains a protein that does not have a clinical effect. This change ensures that the presence of inactive proteins does not automatically disqualify a drug from being treated as a biological product. The legislation directly impacts pharmaceutical companies developing complex biologics and the regulatory review process for these medicines. By removing this specific barrier, the bill aims to streamline the path to market for drugs that include non-active protein components.

Maddy summaryThe STOP Act prohibits healthcare providers and others from performing gender transition procedures on minors under 18, defining these procedures broadly to include hormone treatments, surgeries, and puberty blockers. The bill allows for exceptions in cases of disorders of sex development, acute physical injuries, or precocious puberty, but imposes federal civil penalties of at least $100,000 for violations. Additionally, the legislation establishes a federal grant program to fund nonprofit organizations that provide detransition services, education, and mental health support to individuals seeking to reverse gender transition procedures.

New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act This bill modifies terminology for purposes of the New Source Review (NSR) permitting program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In order for a change to a stationary source to be a modification (a change to a stationary source that increases the air pollutant emissions or results in new pollutants) for purposes of the NSR permitting program, the maximum hourly emission rate achievable by such source must be higher than the maximum hourly rate achievable by such source during any hour in the 10-year period preceding the change. A change at a stationary source is not considered to be a modification under the bill if it is designed to (1) reduce the amount of any air pollutant emitted; or (2) restore, maintain, or improve the reliability of operations at, or safety of, the source. However, such changes are not excepted if the EPA determines the increase in the maximum achievable hourly emission rate from such change would cause an adverse effect on human health or the environment. Construction , in connection with a major emitting facility (a type of stationary source), does not include a change at such a facility that does not result in a significant emissions increase or a significant net emissions increase. In relation to major emitting facilities in nonattainment areas, the terms modifications and modified do not include changes at such facilities that do not result in a significant emissions increase or a significant net emissions increase.

Maddy summaryHR 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, repeals specific energy efficiency standards for federal buildings. It directly affects federal agencies and buildings subject to the repealed standards under Section 305(a)(3)(D) of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(D)). The bill removes these standards from federal law, stating they "shall have no force or effect," and updates related provisions in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to eliminate references to the repealed standards. This is a procedural repeal focused solely on removing existing requirements, not creating new infrastructure or policy.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution proposes to formally "expunge" the two impeachments of President Donald Trump that passed the House of Representatives on December 18, 2019, and January 13, 2021. If passed, the resolution specifies that these impeachments would be treated "as if such Articles had never passed the full House of Representatives." This action directly affects President Trump by aiming to remove these impeachment proceedings from his official record and would alter the historical legislative record of the House. The resolution's text outlines several reasons for this action, including claims of wrongful accusations, lack of due process, and political bias in the original impeachment proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the H-1B visa program by pausing new issuances for three years and capping the annual limit at 25,000 visas. It would eliminate the current lottery system, replacing it with a process that prioritizes employers offering the highest wages, while also restricting visa holders to a maximum stay of three years and banning them from holding multiple jobs simultaneously. The legislation further mandates that all H-1B workers be paid at least $200,000 annually, prohibits staffing agencies from sponsoring these visas, and bars federal agencies from hiring or petitioning for H-1B workers. Additionally, the bill would end employment authorization for foreign students and interns, and generally prevent most nonimmigrants from adjusting their status to become permanent residents while in the United States.

Equal Representation Act This bill requires that the statement sent by the President to Congress after the decennial census indicating the number of persons in each state exclude noncitizens. (This statement is the basis for reapportionment of U.S. Representatives.) The bill also requires any questionnaire used in the decennial census to include a checkbox or other similar option for respondents to indicate whether the respondent and each household member is (1) a U.S. citizen, (2) a U.S. national but not a citizen, (3) a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) lawfully residing in the United States, or (4) a non-U.S. national unlawfully residing in the United States. The Department of Commerce must make public the number of persons in each state, disaggregated by each of these four categories.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts immigration and naturalization by adding new grounds for inadmissibility and deportation based on membership in or advocacy for specific political ideologies, including socialism, communism, Chinese communism, Marxism, and Islamic fundamentalism. It directly affects foreign nationals and permanent residents by making them ineligible for entry or citizenship if they have affiliated with or promoted these ideologies, with exceptions only for advocacy that occurred before age 14. The law defines these ideologies in detail and designates specific organizations as examples of each category, while also prohibiting court review of determinations made under these provisions. Additionally, the bill expands the grounds for revoking naturalized citizenship and requires the Attorney General to issue regulations implementing these changes.

Maddy summaryThe Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act of 2026 aims to repeal the Retirement Earnings Test (RET) for Social Security beneficiaries. This means that individuals collecting Social Security benefits, including those under the Railroad Retirement program, would no longer have their benefits reduced if they continue to work and earn above a certain income threshold. The bill achieves this by repealing specific subsections of the Social Security Act and making conforming amendments across related benefit provisions. This change directly affects senior citizens and other beneficiaries who choose to remain employed while receiving their benefits, ensuring they receive their full entitlement. The provisions of this act are set to take effect for taxable years ending after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHR 6001, the Veterans with ALS Reporting Act, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report to Congress on ALS incidence and care for veterans. Within one year of enactment, the VA must submit a report assessing ALS rates among veterans, describing current support services, identifying gaps in care, and proposing strategies for risk reduction and clinical trial access. The VA must also track ALS prevalence using the CDC’s registry and submit updated reports every three years. This bill focuses on gathering data to inform future policy, directly affecting veterans with ALS and VA/CDC operations.