Rep. Vince Fong

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 88 disapproves an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have allowed California to enforce its "Advanced Clean Cars II" vehicle emission standards. This rule, submitted by the EPA on January 6, 2025, sought to grant California a waiver to override federal preemption for its stricter vehicle pollution controls. The resolution, passed by Congress and signed into law on June 12, 2025, formally nullifies the EPA rule, preventing California from implementing its Advanced Clean Cars II program under this specific waiver. The bill directly affects California's ability to set its own vehicle emission standards for passenger cars and light trucks.

Maddy summaryHJRES 89 is a congressional disapproval resolution that blocks an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule concerning California's vehicle and engine pollution standards. The resolution specifically targets the EPA's "Omnibus Low NOX Regulation" and waiver of preemption, which would have allowed California to enforce stricter emissions rules. By disapproving this rule under Chapter 8 of Title 5 U.S. Code, Congress has nullified the EPA's action, meaning the regulation will have no legal effect. This directly affects the EPA's authority to approve California's state-level pollution control standards for motor vehicles.

Maddy summaryHRES 496 is a non-binding House resolution condemning violent riots in Los Angeles that occurred on June 6, 2025. It specifically addresses protests that turned violent after immigration enforcement actions, including arson, vandalism, attacks on officers, and burning American flags. The resolution recognizes the right to peaceful protest while unequivocally condemning violence against law enforcement and urging local/state leaders to collaborate with federal authorities to restore order. It also expresses gratitude to law enforcement agencies for protecting communities during the unrest. As a symbolic statement, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or entities.

Maddy summaryThe SKIM Act (HR 3810) increases penalties for fraud involving counterfeit access devices like credit cards. It requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to raise fraud offense levels by 4 points (minimum level 14) and count all unauthorized charges from 10+ counterfeit devices toward total losses. The bill also mandates a 90-day report to Congress from the Attorney General and DHS, detailing law enforcement coordination, fraud technologies, assistance requests, and recommendations for combating such fraud. This directly affects federal courts (through sentencing changes), law enforcement agencies, and businesses vulnerable to access device fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the rural surface transportation grant program to prioritize funding for roads serving high-value agricultural areas. It defines "covered counties" as those with at least $1 billion in annual agricultural production value and $500,000 per square mile in agricultural output (adjusted for inflation). The key provision reserves 10% of annual program funds specifically for projects on "farm-to-market roads" within these covered counties. This directly affects rural counties meeting the agricultural thresholds and their transportation infrastructure projects, ensuring dedicated funding for roads connecting farms to markets.

Maddy summaryThe ANCHOR Act requires the National Science Foundation to develop a plan within 18 months to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet - comprising university- and lab-operated oceanographic research vessels. The plan must assess each vessel's specific needs for internet speed, data transfer, telemedicine, and remote expert access during missions, alongside cost estimates for upgrades like satellite equipment and staff training. It also mandates evaluating shared solutions to reduce costs and outlining funding strategies involving NSF, Navy research offices, and vessel operators. The bill directly affects research vessels conducting ocean science, aiming to modernize their digital infrastructure without altering scientific methods.

Maddy summaryHJRES 78 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that granted endangered species status to the San Francisco Bay-Delta population of the longfin smelt, a fish native to California's Bay-Delta region. If passed, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the smelt from receiving federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. The rule, published in the Federal Register in July 2024, aimed to protect this specific fish population from threats like habitat loss and water management practices. This resolution does not create new policy but directly reverses an existing regulatory action affecting the smelt and its ecosystem.

Maddy summaryHR 2694, the Election Results Accountability Act, sets strict deadlines for states to count ballots and certify results in federal elections. It requires states to count at least 90% of ballots within 72 hours of polls closing and complete full counting with official certification within two weeks. Exceptions apply for major disasters, cyberattacks, technical issues, or recounts, but states missing deadlines risk losing federal election administration funds unless they submit a compliance plan. This bill directly affects all states administering federal elections, aiming to standardize and expedite the certification process while maintaining flexibility for genuine emergencies.

Maddy summaryHR 2568, the Earthquake Resilience Act, requires a national risk assessment within two years of enactment to identify progress and remaining gaps in community earthquake resilience, led by NIST with FEMA, NSF, and USGS collaboration. It updates the 1977 Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act to mandate new standards for post-earthquake recovery of essential services (like water and power) and includes real-time data from global navigation satellite systems in hazard monitoring. The bill directly affects federal agencies managing disaster resilience and communities seeking to strengthen infrastructure against earthquakes. Key mechanisms include the mandatory assessment report and revised requirements for developing recovery-focused infrastructure standards. This focuses on measurable improvements to how communities prepare for and recover from seismic events.

Maddy summaryThe Innovative FEED Act of 2025 establishes a new regulatory category for "zootechnical animal food substances" - additives in animal feed that affect digestive byproducts, reduce foodborne pathogens, or alter an animal's gut microbiome without providing nutrition. These substances would be regulated as food additives (not drugs) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, requiring manufacturers to submit specific safety and efficacy data for approval. The bill mandates labeling stating "Not for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in animals" and allows optional claims about intended effects on animal body function. It explicitly excludes existing drugs, hormones, ionophores, and other substances from this category, ensuring no mandatory use of these additives.