Rep. W. Gregory Steube

Maddy summaryHR 1494, the Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act, requires online marketplaces (like Amazon or eBay) to collect the federal excise tax on sporting goods sold through their platforms, rather than leaving this responsibility to individual sellers. It specifically targets platforms that host third-party seller listings and facilitate transactions for goods imported from outside the U.S. The bill treats these marketplaces as the "importer" for tax purposes, making them liable for the tax on qualifying sporting goods sales. This change applies to sales after a 60-day grace period following the bill's enactment, with no impact on taxes already owed by other parties.

Reducing Expensive Departments & Unnecessary Civil Employees Act or the REDUCE Act This bill limits federal hiring and requires each federal agency to establish plans to eliminate or combine components of the agency. The bill does not apply to positions or agency components that are critical to national security, public safety, law enforcement, or immigration enforcement. Specifically, a federal agency may not appoint more than one employee for every four employees that retire, transfer, or separate from such agency. This limitation does not apply after the agency has reduced the number of its employees by 20%. The bill also requires each agency to determine which agency components should be eliminated or combined and develop a plan to bring this into effect through reorganization or reduction in force.  Each agency must conduct a review of each position within the agency to identify positions that are redundant or unnecessary and report the results of this review to Congress.

Maddy summaryThe DEFUND Act of 2025 would terminate U.S. membership in the United Nations and all its affiliated bodies, including the World Health Organization, by repealing the legal foundations for U.S. participation. It requires the closure of the U.S. Mission to the UN, withdrawal from UN headquarters agreements, and the cessation of all U.S. financial contributions to the UN (except for termination costs). The bill also mandates that UN entities vacate U.S. government properties, revokes diplomatic immunity for UN officials in the U.S., and prohibits U.S. involvement in UN peacekeeping operations. Future U.S. re-entry into the UN would require Senate approval and a reservation allowing for immediate withdrawal.

Maddy summaryHR 1492 amends the Social Security Act to extend the negotiation period for standard drug manufacturers under the federal drug pricing program. Specifically, it changes the timeframe from 7 years to 11 years for small-molecule drugs (like traditional pills) to negotiate prices with the government, aligning it with the existing 12-year period for complex biologic drugs (like insulin or monoclonal antibodies). This adjustment directly affects pharmaceutical companies that produce small-molecule drugs, giving them a longer window to negotiate pricing terms. The bill makes this change effective as if it had been part of the 2022 law that established the program.

Maddy summaryHR 1507, the U.S. Citrus Protection Act, bans the importation of commercially produced fresh citrus fruit from China into the United States. This directly affects Chinese citrus exporters and U.S. importers or businesses that handle such products. The bill prohibits these imports starting 90 days after it becomes law, with no exceptions specified. It creates a clear policy change by restricting a specific agricultural import without additional regulatory mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 1421, the "Make American Flags in America Act of 2025," requires all flags of the United States displayed on federal property or procured by federal agencies to be 100% manufactured in the United States. This directly affects federal agencies (including executive departments, military branches, and legislative/judicial offices) by banning the use of foreign-made flags for official displays or purchases. The bill sets a 90-day deadline for procurement changes and a two-year timeline for display requirements, while excluding private entities from these rules. It also mandates a Federal Trade Commission study on enforcing country-of-origin labeling for flags, with a report due within one year of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe PILLS Act creates tax credits to encourage domestic production of generic drugs and biosimilars in the United States. It offers a production credit of 30% (increasing to 35% for final drug production) with an additional bonus for components made with U.S. materials, phasing out after 2033. The bill also provides a separate 25% investment credit for facilities building or expanding production of these drugs, ending for construction after December 31, 2028. To qualify, manufacturers must produce drugs in the U.S., meet FDA compliance requirements, and not be foreign entities of concern. These provisions primarily affect U.S.-based pharmaceutical companies producing generic drugs and biosimilars.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends a temporary tax provision for distilled spirits in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It amends the tax code to change the end date for a reduced tax coverage limit from January 2022 to January 2032. The change applies to distilled spirits imported into these territories after December 31, 2021. This directly affects businesses and consumers involved in the distilled spirits market in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands by maintaining the lower tax rate for a longer period.

Maddy summaryHR 1301, the Death Tax Repeal Act, would eliminate the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax for estates of individuals dying on or after its enactment date. It directly affects individuals inheriting significant assets, as it removes taxes on estates exceeding $10 million (adjusted for inflation) and repeals taxes on large transfers between generations. The bill modifies the gift tax by establishing a $10 million lifetime exemption with annual inflation adjustments, replacing previous tax brackets. It applies to estates, gifts, and transfers occurring on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates federal vehicle safety standards to permit pulsating light systems on high-mounted stop lamps, directly affecting vehicle manufacturers and safety regulators. It requires the Transportation Secretary to issue new regulations within 180 days establishing performance rules for these systems. The key provision defines a "pulsating light system" as one that emits rapid pulses (max 4 pulses within 1.2 seconds) when brakes are applied, then switches to steady light, with a mandatory 5-second lockout period before pulses can repeat after brake release. The bill amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 to formally allow this technology under specific technical parameters.