Rep. Christopher H. Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new security cooperation mechanisms between the United States, Israel, Greece, and Cyprus to enhance counterterrorism and maritime security efforts in the Eastern Mediterranean. It creates two new working groups - an interparliamentary group for legislative coordination and an interexecutive group for executive-level security discussions - that will meet at least twice yearly. The bill authorizes funding for specialized training programs at the Cyprus Center for Land, Open-seas, and Port Security and at Greece's Souda Naval Base to improve interoperability among these nations. It also requires regular reports to Congress on the implementation of these security cooperation initiatives.

Maddy summaryThe Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act would require restaurants and retail food establishments with 20 or more locations to label menu items containing 150 milligrams or more of caffeine per serving with a "High caffeine" warning. It would mandate that packaged foods and dietary supplements with more than 10 milligrams of caffeine display the exact caffeine content, whether naturally occurring or added, along with a safety advisory about daily limits (400 milligrams for healthy adults). The bill directs the FDA to review caffeine safety in food and beverages, and the NIH to study caffeine's effects on vulnerable populations including children, pregnant women, and those with heart conditions or mental health conditions. It also requires a public education campaign about caffeine safety and a GAO study on the marketing of caffeinated beverages to children and teens, with reports due within 6 months and 180 days respectively.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a financial penalty for families with multiple children in college by amending the FAFSA formula. It changes how the expected family contribution is calculated so that the amount cannot drop below zero when dividing by the number of college-enrolled children (excluding parents). This directly affects families with two or more children enrolled full-time in higher education who qualify for federal financial aid. The change applies starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, ensuring these families receive full aid eligibility without reduced benefits due to multiple students.

Maddy summaryHR 1908, the End Congressional Stock Trading Act, prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading stocks, bonds, commodities, or complex investments like hedge funds. Current members must sell existing holdings within 180 days (or 5 years for private funds), while new members have 90 days (5 years for private funds). Exceptions include broadly held diversified mutual funds, government retirement accounts, Alaska Native Claims Settlement stocks, and U.S. Treasury securities. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $100,000 per offense.

Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2025 or the SAFE Act of 2025 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly (1) slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or (2) shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption. The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. As background, in recent years, the appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.

Maddy summaryHJRES 82 disapproves the District of Columbia Council's approval of the Insurance Regulation Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-699), a local law that would have amended insurance regulations in Washington, D.C. This procedural resolution, submitted under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, allows Congress to reject the District's legislative action. The bill itself does not change insurance regulations but formally expresses disapproval of the District's law, preventing it from taking effect.

Maddy summaryHR 2429 requires the Secretary of Transportation to create and implement a 10-year campus modernization plan for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy within 180 days. The bill directs the modernization of outdated facilities - including new training labs, a safety training pool, updated athletic facilities, and infrastructure upgrades like electrical systems and accessibility improvements - to support midshipmen training for maritime careers and national defense. It authorizes $1.02 billion in funding (starting in 2026) for phased construction and renovations over 10 years, prioritizing facilities needed for Coast Guard licensing exams, physical readiness, and campus safety. The plan directly affects the academy’s midshipmen, faculty, and operations by replacing aging infrastructure that currently hinders training.

Maddy summaryThe Safer Skies Act of 2025 requires specific smaller airlines to adopt enhanced security screening protocols currently used by larger carriers. It mandates that "covered air carrier operations" - defined as airlines operating under certain FAA rules, offering individual seats with public schedules, using planes with more than nine passenger seats, and not using TSA checkpoints - to follow the Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (49 CFR §1544.101(a)) within 360 days of the bill's enactment. The Transportation Security Administration must revise its rules to enforce this requirement. This directly affects regional and private charter airlines that currently skip TSA checkpoint screening but serve the public with scheduled passenger flights.

Maddy summaryHRES 249 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the 204th anniversary of the War of Greek Independence (commencing March 25, 1821). It commemorates this historical event and affirms shared democratic values between the United States and Greece. The resolution highlights Greece's strategic role in the Eastern Mediterranean, its NATO partnership, and the contributions of the Greek-American community, without creating new policies or affecting any specific group. It was introduced on March 25, 2025, and referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Medicare coverage for home-based treatment of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disorder (a rare genetic condition causing lung and liver damage). It specifically covers "augmentation therapy" (replacement protein therapy) delivered at home by qualified suppliers to Medicare Part A and B enrollees with this diagnosis who aren't in Medicare Advantage plans. The bill establishes payment for intravenous kits and up to 2 hours of nursing services per session, set at 80% of the lesser of actual cost or a defined rate. It amends Medicare rules to include this treatment under coverage, effective January 2027.