Rep. John B. Larson

Maddy summaryThe Interstate Ferry Fairness Act allows privately owned ferries and ferry terminals operating between two adjoining states to receive federal funding for construction and purchase. Under this legislation, private ferry operators can apply for federal assistance if the Secretary of Transportation determines the project provides substantial public benefits or meets surface transportation needs. The bill also permits privately owned ferries to charge fares that cover operational costs plus a reasonable rate of return approved by the Secretary. These changes expand eligibility for the Ferry Boat Program beyond publicly owned vessels, while maintaining oversight on fare structures and fund usage.

Maddy summaryHRES 1155 is a House resolution that formally impeaches President Donald J. Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors. The bill outlines twelve specific articles of impeachment, including allegations of unauthorized use of military force, domestic militarization, unlawful deportations, retaliation against free speech, abuse of the pardon power, and violations of constitutional spending and oversight rules. If passed by the House of Representatives, the resolution would be sent to the Senate for a trial that could result in Trump's removal from office and disqualification from future federal positions. This procedural measure represents the House's constitutional authority to impeach federal officials, with the Senate holding the sole power to convict and remove.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution formally recognizes the ongoing disparity between wages paid to men and women in the United States and reaffirms Congress's commitment to supporting equal pay. It highlights statistical data showing that women earn approximately 81 cents for every dollar earned by men, with significant variations across racial and ethnic groups, and notes that the gender wage gap has widened over the past two years. The document also identifies contributing factors such as occupational segregation, lack of family-friendly workplace policies, and workplace harassment, while emphasizing the economic impact on women's retirement security and family incomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds for military force in or against Cuba from its enactment until December 31, 2026, unless Congress declares war or passes specific statutory authorization. The restriction applies to all government funds and prevents military actions without congressional approval under the War Powers Resolution. An exception allows military force consistent with the War Powers Resolution's provisions for urgent situations requiring immediate action. The legislation directly affects the U.S. Department of Defense and federal budget processes by limiting how funds can be used for military operations targeting Cuba.

Love Lives On Act of 2025 This bill extends entitlement for various benefit programs and services for surviving spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces or veterans. The bill provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse must not bar the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation or special pension benefits to such spouse. Additionally, the Department of Defense may not terminate the payment of an annuity for a surviving spouse under the Survivor Benefit Plan solely because the surviving spouse remarries. The bill also expands the definition of a dependent under TRICARE to include a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026, changes how Medicare calculates payment updates for surgeries performed at outpatient surgical centers. Starting in 2027, these centers will receive annual payment increases that match the updates given to other outpatient hospital services, rather than using a separate calculation method. The legislation also removes a specific budget neutrality adjustment that previously limited payment increases for these facilities and ensures that spending data from the new payment system is included in future budget calculations. These changes directly affect Medicare reimbursement rates for outpatient surgical procedures without altering the underlying services provided.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the No Harm Data Centers Act, requires large data centers to pay their full share of electricity costs and infrastructure upgrades without shifting those expenses to residential or small business customers. It gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority to approve rates for data centers and mandates that utilities cover all transmission, distribution, and generation costs needed to support these facilities. The legislation also establishes a new penalty system for violations and directs the EPA to conduct an assessment of data centers' environmental and public health impacts.

Maddy summaryThe GUARDRAILS Act (HR 8031) repeals the December 11, 2025 Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence, which previously established a national policy framework for AI development. By removing this executive order, the bill prevents the federal government from using funds to implement, enforce, or administer the policies outlined in that directive. This change directly affects federal agencies and any organizations that were relying on the executive order's framework for AI regulation. The legislation does not create new AI rules but instead eliminates the existing executive mandate that had been in place.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover abortion care, counseling, and related medication as part of standard hospital and medical services for eligible veterans and certain dependents. It amends VA healthcare law to explicitly include these services under existing coverage for veterans qualifying under section 1703 and dependents eligible under section 1781(a). The policy directly affects veterans and their dependents enrolled in VA healthcare programs by expanding covered benefits to include abortion-related care. This is a concrete policy change to VA healthcare benefits, not a broader abortion law.

Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act This bill imposes fines on individuals for soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine.