Rep. Byron Donalds

Maddy summaryThe Secure the Border Act of 2026 mandates the immediate resumption of border wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to build at least 900 miles of physical barriers and deploy advanced surveillance technology. The bill significantly restricts asylum eligibility by barring applicants who transit through third countries without seeking protection there, tightening definitions for "particular social group" claims, and imposing new fees on applications. It also directs federal agencies to reopen specific immigration detention facilities that were closed after January 2021 and requires the mandatory return of certain non-citizens to contiguous foreign territories if they cannot be detained or removed. Additionally, the legislation expands penalties for visa overstays, mandates monthly public reporting of border encounter statistics, and prohibits the use of federal funds for processing individuals entering between ports of entry.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Permanent Trump Secure Border Act, aims to strengthen border security and reform immigration enforcement by directing the Department of Homeland Security to resume and complete the construction of a physical border wall, expand the use of surveillance technology, and increase staffing levels for Border Patrol agents. It also imposes stricter rules on asylum eligibility and employment authorization for applicants, mandates the reopening of specific immigration detention facilities, and requires the return of individuals arriving from contiguous foreign countries to those nations while their claims are processed. Additionally, the legislation expands penalties for visa overstays, limits the use of certain digital tools like the CBP One app, and includes provisions to reduce funding for organizations that facilitate illegal entry or provide services to inadmissible aliens.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the four crew members of the Artemis II mission to recognize their historic achievement in advancing human space exploration. The legislation directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the medals, which will feature the faces of the astronauts and be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury. In addition to the gold medals, the bill permits the minting and sale of duplicate bronze versions to help cover production costs, with any proceeds returned to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.

Maddy summaryHR 5396, the Price Stability Act of 2025, amends the Federal Reserve Act by removing "maximum employment" from the Fed's statutory mandate, leaving "stable prices" as the sole policy goal. This change directly affects the Federal Reserve's legal framework for conducting monetary policy. The bill modifies the language in Section 2A of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 225a) without creating new programs or impacting specific groups or industries. It is a procedural adjustment to the Fed's founding law.

Maddy summaryThe Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act (DLARA) requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to improve transparency and accountability for disaster loans. It mandates monthly reports detailing loan funding status, new budget requests with historical cost comparisons, and strict limits on loan obligations when funds fall below 10% of a 10-year average. The bill also requires GAO and SBA Inspector General reviews of funding shortfalls, cost impacts of recent policy changes, and enhanced forecasting for disaster loan budgets. These provisions directly affect the SBA’s operations and its reporting to Congress, aiming to prevent future funding crises through better data and oversight.

Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act This bill repeals the Corporate Transparency Act. The act requires existing companies and newly created companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for purposes of addressing the financing of terrorism and money laundering.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act, expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by strengthening their immunity from civil lawsuits. It requires courts to immediately dismiss any pending cases against these companies that are based on the criminal or unlawful misuse of a gun by a third party, while also clarifying that sellers are not liable for negligence in entrusting products to others. The legislation further restricts who can file such suits by prohibiting foreign governments from bringing these claims and adding a specific exception for victims under the age of 17, though it maintains immunity for cases involving design or manufacturing defects. Additionally, the bill allows companies to move these cases to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately, along with the ability to recover legal fees if they win. Finally, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on these entities for the same types of misuse-related harms.

Maddy summaryThe Tax Dollar Accountability Act requires states and local governments that receive federal funds to provide the Comptroller General with access to their financial records, budgets, and contracts for audits and evaluations. Under this bill, these entities must submit such documents annually within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year. If a state fails to comply with this request, the Office of Management and Budget is authorized to withhold, suspend, or condition future federal funding until access is granted.

Maddy summaryThe TSP Modernization Act allows individuals to electronically transfer money from their Thrift Savings Fund accounts to qualified retirement plans at brokerage firms, a change that takes effect one year after the law is passed. To initiate this transfer, account holders must provide the necessary information to the Federal Retirement Thrith Investment Board. Additionally, the bill requires the board to submit a report to Congress one year after enactment detailing how the electronic transfer process was implemented.