Rep. Brian J. Mast

Maddy summaryThe GOLDEN DOME Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive homeland missile defense system designed to protect U.S. citizens and critical infrastructure from ballistic, hypersonic, cruise, and unmanned system threats. The bill creates a new Golden Dome Direct Report Program Manager with significant authority to accelerate development, testing, and deployment of integrated missile defense capabilities across all domains (land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace). It requires a holistic strategy with all-domain awareness, mandates accelerated testing schedules including live-fire exercises, and allocates specific funding for components like space-based sensors, interceptors, and command and control systems. The legislation also includes provisions to protect the space industrial base and secure critical supply chains for missile defense systems.

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 3817, the Toxic Health Threat Warning Act of 2025, requires the Secretary of the Army to test water released from flood control structures for cyanotoxins before any release. If cyanotoxin levels exceed 8 parts per billion, the Secretary must notify the public and local governments about the release and potential health risks. This law directly affects communities and local governments downstream of flood control structures where water is released. The key provision mandates testing and public notification when toxin levels surpass the established threshold, aiming to prevent exposure to harmful cyanotoxins.

Maddy summaryHR 3818, the Stop Poisoning Florida Act, prohibits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from discharging water from Lake Okeechobee through specific locks and dams (S-308 and S-80) when toxin levels exceed EPA-recommended limits for recreational waters. The law requires testing for microcystins - a toxic algae byproduct - and blocks discharges if levels surpass EPA standards. This directly affects water management practices at Lake Okeechobee and protects recreational users by preventing unsafe water releases. The provision applies when the Army Corps, EPA, or Florida state tests show toxin concentrations above the EPA’s human health criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize public health in managing Florida's water infrastructure, specifically requiring actions to prevent toxic algae blooms and harmful discharges into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee watersheds. Key provisions include modifying water operations to minimize cyanobacteria risks, updating the Master Operational Manual to coordinate all system elements, and mandating a study on pollution impacts from nutrient loading. It directly affects the Army Corps, Florida water management agencies, and communities downstream from Lake Okeechobee. The bill also prohibits using restoration funds for Deep Well Injection and ensures existing water quality standards remain intact.

Maddy summaryHR 3714, the Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025, amends federal fisheries law to protect small schooling fish like herring, sardines, and anchovies that serve as critical food for larger marine species. It requires the Secretary of Commerce to define "forage fish" within 12 months and mandates that fishery management plans consider ecosystem needs - such as ensuring enough forage fish remain for predators like tuna and seabirds - when setting catch limits. The bill directs regional fisheries councils to identify unmanaged forage fish stocks and prohibit new commercial fisheries until conservation plans are approved, with specific timelines for action (e.g., adding river herring and shad to management plans within 180 days). These changes directly affect federal fisheries managers, commercial fishing industries targeting forage species, and marine ecosystems dependent on these fish. The law aims to prevent overfishing by linking catch limits to ecological roles, not just fishery yields.

Maddy summaryHR 3640, the Oath of Exit Act, adds a voluntary "separation oath" to the military's existing oath framework for service members leaving the Armed Forces (excluding court-martial separations). The bill establishes a specific oath that members may take before retirement or separation, pledging to protect fellow veterans, maintain personal well-being, seek help when needed, and honor the values learned during service. This provision directly affects all members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard who separate from service. The oath is optional and aims to reinforce peer support and self-care, reflecting findings about elevated veteran suicide rates. The bill does not create new benefits or requirements but adds this ceremonial option to the military's oath process.

Maddy summaryHR 3641, the Wounded Warrior Bill of Rights Act of 2025, clarifies that military department secretaries - not the Defense Health Agency - hold final authority over fitness-for-duty determinations for service members injured in service during the medical separation process. It ensures wounded warriors have the right to a full due process hearing within 90 days if they request one, conducted by their military chain of command. The bill requires commanders to pause or withdraw a service member from the system if procedures aren’t followed and mandates a 2026 briefing to Congress on implementation. This directly affects service members navigating the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) for potential medical separation. The law reinforces existing protections without creating new benefits, focusing on procedural clarity and accountability.

Maddy summaryHR 3642, the Final Honors Act of 2025, allows the remains of service members who died from injuries incurred while on duty to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol rotunda. It directly affects the primary surviving next of kin of these fallen service members, requiring their request for the honor. The bill mandates the Secretary concerned to notify next of kin per existing law and directs the Architect of the Capitol (under congressional leadership) to schedule the ceremony and determine eligibility. This applies to service members who die on or after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryHR 3566, the ANCHOR for Military Families Act, requires the Department of Defense to provide military members and their families with comprehensive relocation assistance information at least 45 days before a permanent change of station. The bill mandates that this information cover educational resources for children (including school transitions, special education, and Individualized Education Programs), housing options, mental health support, spouse employment assistance, and legal/financial counseling. It directs the Secretary of Defense to integrate these details into accessible briefings, online resources, and materials at military installations. The law also requires annual reports to Congress on implementation progress and family awareness of available support programs. This bill directly affects active-duty service members and their families facing relocation due to military orders.