Rep. Josh Harder

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 80 would declare the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) part of the U.S. Constitution, asserting it has been ratified by 38 states (three-fourths of the states) despite the original 1972 deadline. If passed, this resolution would formally establish the ERA as a constitutional amendment, requiring all federal and state laws to align with its gender equality protections. The bill does not create new laws but confirms the ERA's status as part of the Constitution, affecting how laws are interpreted and enforced. It is a procedural step to resolve the legal dispute over the ERA's validity after decades of debate.

Maddy summaryThe Don’t Penalize Victims Act amends the Stafford Act to prevent disaster victims from having their federal aid reduced or denied if they also receive assistance from other sources, such as state programs or private insurance. It directly affects individuals seeking disaster relief under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act, ensuring they can access full federal support without penalty for other aid. The key change removes the phrase "or any other source" from Section 312(a), eliminating a provision that previously restricted aid eligibility. This policy update applies to all federal disaster assistance programs administered under the Stafford Act.

Maddy summaryHR 2257 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce three commemorative coins (a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half-dollar) to honor fallen firefighters, with specific quantity limits and specifications. The bill requires a surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar) on each coin sold, which is directed entirely to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support its programs. The coins must be issued in 2026, will be legal tender, and the government must recover all costs through sales before distributing funds to the Foundation. This is a commemorative coin program, not a direct legislative policy change affecting broader public programs.

Investing in Rural America Act of 2025 This bill allows Farm Credit System (FCS) institutions to make and participate in loans and commitments (and extend other technical and financial assistance) for essential community facility projects as part of the Department of Agriculture's Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. This program provides funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. The FCS financing and technical assistance may be provided in order to make capital available to develop, build, maintain, improve, or provide related equipment or other support for essential community facilities in rural communities (e.g., certain facilities that provide healthcare, community support, public safety, educational, or utility services). Under the bill, the financing provided by an FCS institution may not exceed 15% of the total of all outstanding loans of the institution. Further, an FCS institution must (1) offer at least one non-FCS lending institution an interest in the financing under reasonable terms and conditions acceptable to the borrower, and (2) report the offer to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA). The FCA must submit an annual report to Congress on the activities undertaken by FCS institutions under this bill, including through the partnerships between FCS institutions and other lending institutions. The FCA must post the report on the administration's website.

Maddy summaryHRES 230 is a non-binding resolution expressing Congress's sense that the U.S. Congress and administration must urgently collaborate on food and agricultural trade policies. It directly affects U.S. farmers, ranchers, and the $9.6 trillion agricultural sector, which supports millions of jobs and generates significant exports. The resolution calls for concrete actions including securing new market access, enforcing trade agreements, eliminating unjustified trade barriers (like tariffs and nontariff restrictions), and using science-based approaches to strengthen global trade. It emphasizes addressing a 9% decline in 2023 agricultural exports and a projected $37 billion trade deficit, contrasting with historical trade surpluses.

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.

Maddy summaryThe Air America Act of 2025 authorizes one-time payments of $40,000 to individuals who worked for Air America or its affiliated companies for at least five years during 1950-1976, or to their surviving spouses, children, or dependents. Additional payments of $8,000 per full year beyond five years are allowed. The program is capped at $60 million total funding, with claims required within two years of final regulations. Payments are a single lump sum with no ongoing benefits, and the bill explicitly states it does not create new entitlements beyond this one-time award.

Maddy summaryHR 2220, the PARA-EMT Act of 2025, creates a federal grant program to address the shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. It authorizes $50 million annually (2026-2030) for grants to EMS agencies to fund recruitment, training, and retention programs - prioritizing youth, rural areas, and veterans with military EMS training. A separate $20 million annually supports state grants to help veterans transition to civilian EMT roles by covering certification costs and licensing fees. The bill also mandates a federal study on projected EMS workforce needs through 2034 to inform future policy. It directly affects EMS agencies, training programs, and veterans seeking civilian EMT careers.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, providing $400 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to support federal efforts in designated high-drug-trafficking regions. It requires the program director to identify and develop evidence-based "promising practices" for HIDTA programs, focusing on tracking drug trafficking sources, coordinating multi-level responses to drug-related crimes, and implementing substance use disorder prevention strategies. These practices must be reviewed for effectiveness and shared with all HIDTA regions starting in 2026. The bill directly affects HIDTA-designated communities and federal agencies managing drug enforcement coordination.

Maddy summaryHR 2106, the Expanding Medical Education Act, provides federal grants to establish or expand medical and osteopathic medicine schools in underserved areas. It prioritizes institutions in regions with no existing medical schools or minority-serving institutions, targeting recruitment of students from rural, low-income, and underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds. The bill requires grantees to develop curricula focused on care for underserved populations and modernize facilities. Recipients must report annually on student demographics and program outcomes, with public reports to Congress every five years tracking impacts on healthcare access and workforce diversity.