Rep. Derek Schmidt

United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions to increase defense-related cooperation between the United States and Israel. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a cooperative program, with the concurrence of Israel's Ministry of Defense (MOD), to develop and deploy advanced technologies for countering unmanned systems that threaten the United States and Israel; establish in Israel an office of the Defense Innovation Unit (an organization that focuses on rapidly fielding and scaling commercial technology across the U.S. military); and seek to engage Israel's MOD on the ascension of Israel into the national technology and industrial base (currently defined in law as the persons and organizations engaged in research, development, production, integration, services, or information technology activities conducted within the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada). The bill authorizes DOD, upon request of Israel's MOD, to jointly conduct research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics to meet defense challenges. Additionally, the bill extends the authority for DOD to (1) carry out RDT&E on a joint basis with Israel to establish anti-tunnel and counter unmanned aerial systems capabilities through 2028, and (2) transfer defense articles intended for use as reserve stocks for Israel through January 1, 2029.

Alternatives to Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the Alternatives to PAIN Act This bill reduces cost-sharing and prohibits the imposition of certain utilization requirements under the Medicare prescription drug benefit for certain non-opioid pain management drugs. Specifically, the bill requires such drugs to be covered without a deductible and to be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier (if any). The bill also prohibits the imposition of prior authorization requirements (i.e., requiring prior approval from a plan) or step therapy requirements (i.e., requiring the use of alternative drugs before a drug is covered under a plan) with respect to such drugs.

Maddy summaryHR 1269, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025, expands benefits for public safety officers (like police and firefighters) who develop certain cancers linked to their work. It adds 22 specific cancers - including lung, mesothelioma, and breast cancer - to the list of conditions presumed to be "exposure-related" and sustained in the line of duty. This presumption applies if the officer served at least 5 years, was diagnosed with the cancer within 15 years after last active duty, and the cancer directly caused death or permanent disability. The bill also establishes a process for adding new cancers every 3 years based on medical evidence from agencies like NIOSH, and allows claims to be filed within 3 years of the law's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 1232, the National Right-to-Work Act, would make union membership voluntary for workers in most private-sector jobs by removing legal requirements for employees to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment. It directly affects workers in unionized workplaces covered by the National Labor Relations Act (including most private employers) and railroad workers covered by the Railway Labor Act. The key change eliminates provisions that allowed "union security agreements" (requiring dues or membership), meaning workers could no longer be forced to pay union fees to keep their jobs. This bill does not change other labor rights or create new programs - it only modifies existing laws to allow workers to opt out of union membership and financial obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for death and disability benefits under the public safety officers' death benefits program to include retired law enforcement officers who die or become permanently disabled from targeted attacks directly related to their past service. It specifically covers officers who retired in good standing from public agencies, including those who served without compensation. The policy change applies retroactively to cases occurring since August 28, 2012, and amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. This provides financial support to retired officers and their families affected by violence targeting their law enforcement careers.

Security And Fairness Enhancement for America Act of 2025 or SAFE for America Act of 2025 This bill eliminates the diversity visa program. This program provides up to 55,000 visas annually to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.

Maddy summaryHR 1274, the PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025, reauthorizes and updates key provisions of the 2008 PROTECT Our Children Act to strengthen efforts against child exploitation. The bill requires the Department of Justice to update its National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction every four years instead of every two years, with detailed requirements for analyzing trends, assessing resources, and reviewing Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force effectiveness. It establishes annual funding levels of $70 million for 2026, $80 million for 2027, and $90 million for 2028 for the ICAC Task Force Program, which directly affects federal, state, local, tribal, and military law enforcement agencies working on child exploitation cases. The legislation also includes limited liability protections for ICAC task forces and their personnel when making prioritization decisions about child exploitation cases. These changes aim to improve coordination, resource allocation, and effectiveness in combating child exploitation crimes across multiple jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryHJRES 39 is a joint resolution seeking to block a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule on premerger notifications. The rule, published in November 2024, would have required companies to notify the FTC before merging and observe waiting periods for review. If enacted, this resolution would invalidate the rule, meaning companies would not need to comply with the new notification and waiting period requirements. It uses the standard congressional disapproval process under chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code, to halt the rule from taking effect.

Maddy summaryHR 1207 transfers the administration of the Food for Peace Act's food aid programs from USAID to the Department of Agriculture. This means the Agriculture Secretary, not the USAID Administrator, will now handle all related functions, including managing assets, grants, and rules for distributing U.S. food aid overseas. The bill requires immediate implementation upon enactment, with references in law automatically updating to the Agriculture Secretary, and allows for swift interim rules to maintain program continuity. It also specifies that the Famine Early Warning Systems Network will continue under Agriculture, and the Department must consult with the State Department on certain aspects of the program.

Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act This bill expands the definition of major food allergen to include galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (commonly known as alpha-gal ). Under current law, food labels generally must identify each major food allergen found in labeled food products.  (Certain tick bites cause an allergic condition known as alpha-gal syndrome that can result in an allergy to the alpha-gal molecule, which is found in red meat and other products made from mammals.)