Rep. Brittany Pettersen

Maddy summaryHRES 546 is a resolution encouraging Members of Congress to visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in their states to observe conditions firsthand and fulfill oversight responsibilities. It references the 2024 Appropriations Act, which permits unannounced visits and prohibits facilities from altering conditions for such visits, ensuring transparency. The resolution cites concerns about recent cuts to oversight staff (including closed offices for detainee rights) and reports of overcrowding and inadequate medical care in detention centers. It aims to inform congressional efforts to address systemic issues in immigration detention without mandating visits.

Maddy summaryThe Women's Health Protection Act of 2025 would protect access to abortion services across the United States by prohibiting states from imposing restrictions that are more burdensome than those on comparable medical procedures. The bill directly affects people seeking abortion care and health care providers by banning restrictions such as mandatory in-person visits, requirements for specific tests, limitations on telemedicine, and rules based on a patient's reason for seeking abortion. It prohibits state laws that single out abortion for unnecessary restrictions while allowing post-viability abortions when necessary to protect a patient's life or health. The bill preempts conflicting state laws and provides enforcement mechanisms through private lawsuits and actions by the Attorney General.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state officials from blocking abortion access for patients traveling from other states, including restricting providers who offer legal abortions in their state to out-of-state patients. It protects people traveling across state lines for legal abortions, those assisting such travel, and the interstate transport of FDA-approved abortion medication. Violations can be challenged by the Justice Department or affected individuals through civil lawsuits seeking injunctions and damages. The law applies broadly across all states, territories, and tribal nations, defining "abortion service" to include both medical procedures and related care.

Maddy summaryHR 2225, the Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act, modifies how investment companies report fees related to business development companies (BDCs). It allows registered investment companies to exclude fees paid indirectly to BDCs (which primarily invest in small businesses) from their "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" calculation on SEC registration statements. This change simplifies reporting for investment companies holding BDC shares by removing those specific fees from expense calculations. The bill directly affects investment companies filing SEC forms (N-1A, N-2, N-3) that hold BDC investments, potentially reducing their reported expense ratios. It does not create new funding for small businesses but aims to streamline investment in BDCs by easing reporting burdens.

Maddy summaryHR 1713, the Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025, requires the Secretary of Agriculture to join the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) when reviewing transactions involving U.S. agricultural land, biotechnology, or agriculture-related infrastructure (like transportation or processing). It specifically targets acquisitions of agricultural land by foreign entities from China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran, mandating that the Secretary of Agriculture first assesses these transactions before CFIUS decides whether to proceed with a full review. The law includes a sunset provision, ending these requirements for a specific country once it is removed from the federal list of foreign adversaries.

Maddy summaryThe Insurrection Act of 2025 would clarify and limit when the President can deploy military forces domestically to address insurrections, rebellions, or widespread violence. It requires state and local authorities to be unable to handle the situation, with specific circumstances including obstruction of voting rights or Federal law, and mandates the state governor's request for assistance. The bill requires the President to consult Congress, issue a proclamation ordering lawbreakers to disperse, and submit a detailed report before deployment, with military action limited to 7 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving it for up to 14 days. The bill explicitly prohibits using National Guard members on training duty for these purposes and provides for judicial review of deployments.

Maddy summaryThe Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2025 creates a federal program to provide financial assistance to first-generation homebuyers for down payments, closing costs, and other home purchase expenses. It authorizes $100 billion in funding to be distributed through states and eligible entities, with grants that can cover up to $20,000 or 10% of a home's purchase price (whichever is greater). To qualify, homebuyers must meet income limits (up to 120-140% of median area income), be first-time homebuyers with no prior home ownership by their parents, and complete homebuyer counseling. The program requires recipients to occupy homes as primary residences for at least five years, with repayment required if they sell sooner, and states must report on program demographics to ensure equitable outcomes.

Maddy summaryHR 3946, the FIGHT Act of 2025, amends the Animal Welfare Act to specifically prohibit gambling on animal fighting events and restrict the interstate transport of roosters used in such ventures. It defines "rooster" as male chickens over six months old and makes it unlawful to sponsor, exhibit, attend (for those under 16), or gamble on animal fighting events - whether in-person or broadcast. The bill creates a civil enforcement mechanism allowing any person to file a lawsuit to stop violations after providing 60 days' notice to authorities, with potential fines up to $5,000 per violation. It also establishes seizure of property used to facilitate violations and clarifies that state laws on animal fighting remain in effect unless directly conflicting with federal provisions.

Maddy summaryHR 3988 requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Census Bureau to jointly study how federal agencies track and record "housing loss" in the U.S. Housing loss is defined as involuntary displacement, including evictions, foreclosures, or displacement from natural disasters. The study must identify common types of housing loss, review existing federal data sources, assess data quality, and recommend improvements for better tracking. HUD and the Census Bureau must submit a report to Congress within six months detailing these findings and recommendations. This bill does not change current laws but mandates a federal review to improve how housing loss is measured.

Maddy summaryThe PHARA Act of 2025 requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to immediately release all required funding for existing research grants and rapidly pay pending reimbursements. It prohibits NIH from terminating active research grants (entered after the bill's enactment) solely due to shifting agency priorities or program goals, and mandates new termination clauses requiring 90 days' written notice and attempts to amend terms before ending agreements. This directly affects researchers and institutions receiving NIH grants, ensuring funding continuity for ongoing projects. The bill aims to prevent abrupt halts in scientific research by restructuring grant termination processes.