Rep. Michael Baumgartner

Maddy summaryThe Air America Act of 2025 authorizes one-time payments of $40,000 to individuals who worked for Air America or its affiliated companies for at least five years during 1950-1976, or to their surviving spouses, children, or dependents. Additional payments of $8,000 per full year beyond five years are allowed. The program is capped at $60 million total funding, with claims required within two years of final regulations. Payments are a single lump sum with no ongoing benefits, and the bill explicitly states it does not create new entitlements beyond this one-time award.

Maddy summaryThe Credit for Caring Act of 2025 creates a federal tax credit for family caregivers of elderly or disabled relatives. It allows eligible caregivers (with over $7,500 in earned income) to claim a credit equal to 30% of qualified caregiving expenses exceeding $2,000, capped at $5,000 per year. Qualified expenses include human assistance, home modifications, respite care, counseling, lost wages for unpaid time off, and transportation, all requiring certification from a licensed healthcare provider that the care recipient has long-term needs. The credit phases out for higher earners (over $75,000 single/$150,000 joint) and requires documentation of expenses and care recipient certification.

Resident Education Deferred Interest Act or the REDI Act This bill allows borrowers in medical or dental internships or residency programs to defer student loan payments until the completion of their programs.

Maddy summaryHR 2081, the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the 627 women who served as Red Cross volunteers in the Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike the medal, which will be presented by Congress and then given to the Smithsonian Institution for display. It also allows the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint fund. This commemorative act recognizes the volunteers' service supporting over 280,000 troops through recreation programs across Vietnam from 1965 to 1973.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how individual investors in mutual funds (regulated investment companies) are taxed on certain dividends. It allows investors to defer paying tax on capital gain dividends that are automatically reinvested in additional fund shares through a dividend reinvestment plan. The deferred tax is recognized later when the investor sells shares or upon their death. It also establishes that shares acquired through this reinvestment are treated as held for over one year from the start, potentially qualifying for long-term capital gains rates. The rule applies only to individual investors (not estates, trusts, or dependents claimed by others).

Maddy summaryThe POWER Act (HR 2074) prohibits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Bureau of Reclamation from breaching federally operated dams or retiring hydropower dams if such actions would increase carbon emissions by over 5%, raise shipping costs for agricultural products by 5% or more, reduce water navigability for commerce, or decrease energy reliability in specific Western states (WA, OR, ID, MT, WY, CA) by 5%. It requires federal agencies to consult with energy, transportation, and agriculture departments before proceeding with dam breaches and mandates that any retired hydropower generation must be fully replaced within 30 days to maintain grid reliability. The bill directly affects federal dam operators and energy providers in the Western U.S., focusing on preventing economic and environmental disruptions tied to hydropower infrastructure changes.

Maddy summaryHR 2054, the VOTE Act, would prevent states from receiving federal funds for administering federal elections if they provide ballots in any language other than English. It amends the Voting Rights Act by removing current requirements that allow states to provide bilingual ballots in certain areas, eliminating the prohibition on English-only ballots for federal elections. This directly affects states that currently offer ballots in non-English languages to comply with federal language access rules. The bill changes the policy by making federal election funding contingent solely on using English ballots, without requiring multilingual options.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts probationary periods for certain federal employees who were involuntarily separated between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029. It allows eligible employees (those separated while on probation in an Executive agency) to count their prior service time toward a new probationary period when rehired into a similar position with their former agency. Specifically, the new probation period equals the original required duration minus the time already served in their previous federal role. The law expires on January 20, 2029, and applies only to appointments matching the employee’s prior position.

Maddy summaryHR 2012, the Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2025, requires the President to submit a detailed report to Congress before terminating, waiving, or significantly altering U.S. sanctions on Iran. The bill directly affects the President and Congress, mandating a 30-day (or 60-day during specific summer months) congressional review period for such actions. During this period, relevant committees must review the proposal, and Congress can block the action via a joint resolution of disapproval. The bill does not change sanctions policy itself but establishes a formal process for congressional oversight of any major sanctions-related decisions. It applies to sanctions under multiple existing laws, including the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 and the 2010 Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Act.

Maddy summaryHRES 189 is a procedural resolution censuring Representative Al Green (D-TX) for disrupting a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025, when he interrupted the President's address. The resolution states his conduct breached proper decorum, leading to his removal by the Sergeant at Arms. It mandates Green to appear in the House chamber for the public pronouncement of censure, with the resolution to be read aloud by the Speaker. This is a formal disciplinary action by the House, not a policy change affecting constituents or legislation.