Rep. Vince Fong

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 summaryThis bill (HR 5332) mandates a federal review of liquid cooling technologies for data centers, requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess their research needs, costs, benefits, and market adoption within 90 days. The study will evaluate how liquid cooling compares to air cooling for efficiency, safety, and heat reuse, including waste heat capture for secondary uses. It directly affects federal agencies operating data centers (like the Department of Energy) by informing future infrastructure decisions. The GAO report and subsequent Department of Energy assessment will guide potential policy but do not fund or require adoption of liquid cooling.

Maddy summaryHR 4940, the AIRFARE Act, requires the TSA to create a system at domestic airports within 180 days to streamline gate passes for caregivers. It allows air carriers to issue up to two gate passes per trip for caregivers (parents, guardians, or individuals pushing wheelchairs) accompanying minors (under 18) or passengers needing assistance (e.g., wheelchair users). Caregivers can link these passes to existing TSA Pre-Check status using their Known Traveler Number. The bill directly affects families and travelers with mobility or health needs by improving access to flights without requiring separate security screenings.

Maddy summaryThe AMERICA DRIVES Act (HR 4661) allows commercial trucks equipped with Level 4 or Level 5 automated driving systems (ADS) to operate interstate without a human driver onboard or a remote operator. It directly affects commercial trucking companies and autonomous vehicle manufacturers by preempting state laws requiring human drivers and mandating the Department of Transportation (DOT) to update regulations by 2027. Key provisions include revising rules around hours of service, drug testing, and driver licensing to apply to driverless vehicles, while defining ADS based on industry standards (SAE J3016). The bill ensures regulatory parity for ADS-equipped trucks and excludes automated technologies from width calculations under safety standards.

Maddy summaryHR 4382 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics/Paralympics and 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics/Paralympics. It specifies gold, silver, and half-dollar coin designs with defined mintage limits (e.g., up to 100,000 $5 gold coins for each event), all bearing inscriptions like "2028" or "2034" and standard coin features. A surcharge ($5-$50 per coin) is added to sales, with all funds directed to the respective Olympic committees to support event hosting and legacy programs like youth sports. The bill ensures no net cost to the government by requiring surcharge revenues to cover all design, production, and marketing expenses before funds are disbursed.

Maddy summaryHRES 575 is a symbolic resolution designating July 10th as "Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day." It honors lineworkers who face significant risks daily - working at heights near live wires and responding to disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. The resolution specifically references Henry Miller, an early leader of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died on July 10, 1896, while troubleshooting an outage. It encourages the public to recognize these workers' contributions but does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summaryThe Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act aims to enhance forecasts of atmospheric rivers - narrow bands of moisture that cause heavy rain, snow, and flooding, particularly in the western U.S. - to reduce damage to communities and infrastructure. It authorizes a five-year pilot project (2026-2030) with $15 million annually to improve forecast models for mountainous terrain and atmospheric rivers, requiring coordination with NOAA, academic partners, and the National Weather Service. The bill also establishes a long-term program mandating NOAA to develop new forecast tools, incorporate social science for clearer public communication, and create annual budget plans for research and partnerships. These changes directly affect NOAA’s operations and water management efforts in the western U.S., without altering existing laws or imposing new regulations on the public.

Maddy summaryHRES 516 is a formal resolution condemning the violent riots that occurred in Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025. It specifically addresses acts of arson, looting, property destruction, and attacks on law enforcement officers during protests related to federal immigration enforcement actions. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but expresses the House’s condemnation of the violence, calls on local and state leadership to collaborate with federal authorities to restore order, and thanks law enforcement agencies for their response. This is a symbolic statement with no direct impact on affected individuals or new legislative mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHRES 551 is a symbolic House resolution supporting the designation of "National Stop SuiSilence Day" on September 25th, during Suicide Prevention Month. It does not create new laws or policies but aims to reduce suicide stigma by encouraging open discussion about suicide prevention. The resolution cites statistics showing suicide as a leading cause of death (over 45,000 annual U.S. deaths) and emphasizes that talking about suicide can help save lives. It recognizes this day as a tool to engage communities and governments in suicide prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 87 (Public Law 119-15) is a congressional disapproval resolution that prevents an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule from taking effect. The rule, submitted by the EPA on April 6, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 20688), related to California’s authority to enforce stricter vehicle emission standards, including for heavy-duty trucks, zero-emission airport shuttles, and advanced clean truck requirements. By disapproving this rule, Congress blocks California from implementing these specific pollution controls under its existing waiver authority. This directly affects California’s ability to regulate motor vehicle emissions independently, as the rule would have allowed the state to enforce its own standards beyond federal requirements.