Rep. Andy Barr

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new passenger vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. to include AM radio as standard equipment (not an optional add-on) by 2027-2028, depending on manufacturer size. It mandates that AM radio receivers must be easily accessible to drivers and allows compliance through digital AM broadcast technology. During a transition period, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio but cannot charge extra for this feature. The bill also mandates a GAO study on AM radio's role in emergency alerts and includes a 10-year sunset provision for the rule. It preempts state laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

Maddy summaryHRES 861 is a symbolic resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of religious minorities. It specifically addresses the detention of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri and other leaders of Beijing Zion Church, alongside broader crackdowns on Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists in China. The resolution demands China release all wrongfully detained religious leaders and respect international human rights standards for religious freedom. As a non-binding statement, it reaffirms U.S. policy under the International Religious Freedom Act but does not create new legal requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the name of Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument to "Camp Nelson National Monument" in all federal laws, maps, regulations, and official records. It directly affects government documents and references that currently use the older name. The key mechanism is updating the name in Section 2303 of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act and clarifying that all future references to the monument must use the new name. The bill makes no changes to the monument's boundaries, management, or public access - only correcting the official designation. This is a procedural name correction with no substantive policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines federal permitting for projects critical to artificial intelligence infrastructure, including large data centers (50+ megawatts), reliable power plants, and associated transmission/fuel systems. It requires federal agencies to coordinate reviews and complete all necessary approvals within 2 years for designated projects, with a single agency leading environmental reviews. Owners of affected projects can seek compensation if new federal regulations materially impair operations for 180+ days, and qualifying power facilities may receive financial assistance for expansion. The bill directly affects AI infrastructure developers, power providers, and federal permitting agencies, focusing on accelerating reliable power access for national defense-related AI systems.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (HRES 860), not a bill with legislative effect. It expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for former President Trump's 2020 decision to redesignate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) under religious freedom laws. The resolution commends this action due to documented religious persecution in Nigeria, including violence against Christians and minority religious groups. It does not create new policy or alter U.S. assistance; it solely states congressional support for holding Nigeria accountable for religious freedom violations.

Maddy summaryHR 5270, the Stress Testing Accountability and Transparency Act, requires the Federal Reserve Board to establish clear, publicly disclosed rules for bank stress testing and capital buffer calculations within 90 days of enactment. It mandates that the Fed publish stress test scenarios 30 days in advance and prohibits applying climate-related stress tests to nonbank financial companies under existing law. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct triennial reports evaluating the effectiveness of stress tests in assessing financial institution safety and overall system stability. These provisions aim to increase transparency and standardize the Federal Reserve's stress testing framework for bank holding companies and nonbank financial institutions.

Maddy summaryHR 3484, the Business Owners Protection Act of 2025, terminates unused regulatory powers held by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Dodd-Frank Act. Specifically, it ends SEC authorities that grant discretion to create new requirements for businesses but were not actively used - meaning no proposed rules or guidance was issued by January 1, 2025. The bill requires the SEC to publish a list of all terminated authorities within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects business owners by preventing potential future regulatory burdens that were never implemented. The law focuses on eliminating dormant SEC powers, not creating new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures SNAP (food stamp) benefits continue uninterrupted during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2026. It directs the USDA to use existing Treasury funds to pay SNAP benefits if Congress fails to pass a full-year budget for the Department of Agriculture by September 30, 2025. The bill also covers retroactive payments for missed benefits starting September 30, 2025, through the bill's enactment date. Benefits funded this way stop once Congress enacts a full FY2026 budget for the USDA. It directly affects SNAP recipients who rely on these benefits during budget delays.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an annual honorary award called the "Trump Peace Prize," to be given by the Secretary of State to individuals recognized as peacemakers. It specifically names President Donald Trump as the first recipient of this award. The bill creates no new legal requirements or funding, and it does not affect any policies, regulations, or individuals beyond the ceremonial recognition of the award. As a purely procedural measure, it has no substantive policy impact.

Maddy summaryThe Black Vulture Relief Act authorizes livestock producers and their employees to remove or kill black vultures (Coragyps atratus) that are causing or likely to cause harm to livestock, bypassing standard protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It prohibits using poison for this purpose and requires annual reports to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about such actions, using a simplified form. The law specifically targets vultures threatening livestock as defined in existing federal agriculture law, with reporting deadlines starting after a form is developed by the Fish and Wildlife Service.