Rep. Mark B. Messmer

Maddy summaryHR 5483, the Chloe Cole Act, prohibits health care professionals, hospitals, or clinics from providing certain gender-affirming treatments to minors under 18 that aim to alter their body to align with a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. This includes puberty blockers, sex hormones, and specific surgeries, unless the treatment falls under narrow exceptions like medically necessary care for disorders of sexual development, injuries, or detransition. The bill creates a private right for affected minors or their guardians to sue providers for damages in federal court, with strict liability for violations. It applies when interstate commerce is involved (e.g., payments, travel, communications) and sets a 25-year statute of limitations from the minor’s 18th birthday.

Maddy summaryHR 5401, the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026, ensures military personnel, civilian Defense workers, and supporting contractors receive pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2026. It appropriates emergency funds for active-duty service members, reserves, and their supporting personnel (including Coast Guard staff under DHS) if regular appropriations aren't enacted by the end of the fiscal year. The bill provides necessary pay and allowances during any period when full-year funding is unavailable, covering both active service and support roles. Funding expires when regular appropriations are passed, a funding resolution is enacted, or January 1, 2027, whichever comes first. This is a procedural measure to prevent pay delays for military and support staff during fiscal year 2026 funding lapses.

Maddy summaryHRES 695 is a commemorative resolution honoring Charlie Kirk, a conservative speaker and Turning Point USA leader, following his assassination on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. The resolution condemns the attack, offers condolences to his family, and recognizes first responders. It reaffirms the First Amendment right to peaceful assembly and emphasizes that violence cannot silence democratic participation. This non-binding resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic tribute to Kirk's memory and the principles of democratic engagement.

Maddy summaryThe FIREARM Act (HR 3770) changes how federal firearm licensees (like dealers) handle violations of firearms laws. It requires the Attorney General to give licensees 30 business days to correct minor, self-reported violations - such as clerical errors - with assistance and training, instead of automatically revoking licenses. The bill also adds a 15-day window for licensees to challenge revocations in federal court, where courts must review the case anew and only uphold revocations if the licensee willfully violated the law. Additionally, it applies retroactively to licensees whose licenses were revoked under a 2021 enforcement policy, allowing them to reapply if they meet compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading certain investments, including stocks, commodities, and derivatives (referred to as "covered investments"). It requires affected individuals to divest these investments within 90-180 days, with specific exemptions for Treasury bonds, diversified mutual funds, small business interests, and family trusts meeting strict conditions. Violations incur penalties of 10% of the investment's value plus disgorgement of profits, paid directly to the U.S. Treasury. The law applies to all covered individuals during federal service, with exceptions for investments acquired through inheritance or occupational trading (e.g., a spouse’s finance job).

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines defense cooperation between the U.S., Australia, and the United Kingdom under the AUKUS security pact. It removes bureaucratic barriers by allowing direct reexports of U.S. defense articles between these governments without presidential consent, and eliminates certification requirements for commercial technical assistance agreements with Australia or the UK. Key provisions include exempting authorized transfers (including intra-governmental and entity-level movements) from certain export controls and Foreign Assistance Act rules. The changes specifically target defense-related items and services shared among the three nations, reducing administrative hurdles for military collaboration. This affects U.S. defense exports, Australian and UK government entities, and authorized defense contractors involved in AUKUS partnerships.

Maddy summaryThe Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the U.S. biobased products industry by increasing federal procurement of products made from renewable agricultural resources like corn and soybeans. It establishes new definitions for biobased terms, creates a Biobased Task Force within the Department of Agriculture to coordinate research and promotion, and requires federal agencies to update procurement systems to identify biobased products and train staff on their purchase. The bill mandates annual reporting on procurement progress, creates a labeling system for biobased products, and requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct public education on biobased products. This legislation directly affects farmers, biobased manufacturers, and federal procurement agencies, with the goal of supporting rural economic development.

Maddy summaryThe LEAD Act of 2025 reclassifies certain reusable unmanned aircraft systems (drones) as standard aircraft for export purposes, removing them from missile-related controls under the Missile Technology Control Regime. It directly affects drone manufacturers and exporters by changing how these systems are reviewed and approved for international sales. Key provisions require the President to amend export regulations within 180 days to treat these drones as manned aircraft systems, separate from missile technology, and subject to standard aircraft export rules. This simplifies export processes for qualifying drones but does not alter their military or commercial use.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal right for livestock producers to sell meat and dairy products across state lines without facing conflicting state regulations. It prevents states from imposing production standards (like animal welfare rules) on products not raised within that state, ensuring a uniform national market for covered livestock products. The law specifically covers animals raised for meat or dairy (including milk products), but excludes egg production. This aims to eliminate barriers to interstate commerce for these products while aligning with U.S. trade obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes the process for seasonal agricultural workers who need commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). It requires the Transportation Secretary to create online systems for easy license renewal (Section 2(a)) and clarifies that farm equipment like tractors and harvesters ("implements of husbandry") are not subject to commercial vehicle weight calculations (Section 2(b)). It directly affects farm-related service industries and their seasonal employees who operate restricted CDL vehicles. The changes simplify administrative processes and remove regulatory barriers for agricultural operations.