Rep. Ed Case

Maddy summaryHR 4482, the Stop NOAA Closures Act, imposes a temporary moratorium on closing, suspending, or limiting access to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities, effective until a report is submitted to Congress by January 21, 2029. The bill requires NOAA and the General Services Administration to submit detailed reports to specific congressional committees before any future facility closure, suspension, lease termination, or consolidation - outlining cost-benefit analyses, service impacts, and justification. Exceptions apply only for emergencies posing immediate threats to personnel safety. This bill directly affects NOAA's facility management decisions and mandates congressional oversight for future closures.

Maddy summaryThe Gun Safety Incentive Act establishes voluntary best practices for safe firearm storage (e.g., in homes, vehicles, businesses) through the Attorney General, requiring public education and annual updates. It mandates that firearm manufacturers include a "SAFE STORAGE SAVES LIVES" notice with every handgun, rifle, or shotgun starting in 2027, directing consumers to a public website with storage guidance. The bill also creates a $10 million annual grant program for states and tribes to fund local safe storage device distribution programs and offers a tax credit (up to $400 per device) to manufacturers selling safe storage devices. These provisions directly affect firearm manufacturers, state/local governments, and safe storage device sellers, focusing on accessible storage education and financial incentives without restricting firearm ownership.

Maddy summaryHR 4530, the STOP Shells Act, requires U.S. export licensing for subsidiaries owned 50% or more by companies listed on Commerce Department "Entity Lists" or "Military End User Lists" due to national security concerns. It mandates that the Commerce Secretary assess whether applying export controls to these subsidiaries would advance U.S. national security interests before adding entities to the lists. The bill also requires the Commerce Secretary to notify Congress within two days of both adding entities to the lists and granting any exemptions for subsidiaries. These provisions aim to prevent entities on restricted lists from circumventing export controls through subsidiary companies.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts donations to Presidential Libraries and Centers (organizations established to commemorate former presidents) by limiting who can contribute and how much they can give. It prohibits donations from foreign nationals, lobbyists, federal contractors, people seeking pardons, and others during a president's term and for two years after leaving office, with an annual aggregate limit of $10,000 per donor (adjusted for inflation). Libraries must report all donations over $200 quarterly, including donor details, and publish this information publicly. The law aims to increase transparency and prevent undue influence by restricting certain sources of funding for these institutions.

Maddy summaryHR 4390, the U.S. Diplomatic Posture Review Act of 2025, requires the State Department to conduct regular reviews of its global diplomatic presence. The bill mandates the Secretary of State to submit an initial report within 180 days of enactment, followed by annual updates, detailing all diplomatic posts (including embassies, consulates, and virtual offices), consular service quality for Americans overseas, resource needs, foreign aid spending by country, and financial obligations. These reports must include an unclassified summary and be accompanied by classified briefings to Congress on proposed adjustments to diplomatic staffing and strategic priorities. The law directly affects the State Department’s operations and requires annual congressional oversight of diplomatic resource allocation.

Maddy summaryHRES 570 is a House resolution commending Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan for rescuing 165 people during catastrophic July 2025 flooding in central Texas. The resolution honors Ruskan, a Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician from Air Station Corpus Christi, for his role as the sole triage coordinator during the disaster. It recognizes his "exceptional courage" and "selflessness" in saving lives during the Guadalupe River flooding that caused extensive damage and loss of life. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the House's gratitude for Ruskan's service.

Maddy summaryThe Head Start for Our Future Act amends Section 441(c)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to replace "literacy training" with "child development and early learning (including Head Start programs and Early Head Start programs carried out under the Head Start Act), literacy training." This technical change formally integrates Head Start and Early Head Start programs into the federal definition of early learning initiatives under the Higher Education Act, while maintaining a separate reference to literacy training. The bill directly affects how federal grants for early childhood education are categorized and administered under the Higher Education Act. It does not alter funding levels, program requirements, or operations but updates administrative terminology to explicitly include Head Start services.

Maddy summaryHR 4329, the Building Civic Bridges Act, creates an Office of Civic Bridgebuilding within the Corporation for National and Community Service to support projects reducing community divisions. It establishes a 3-year pilot grant program funding nonprofits, community groups, and schools to run projects that foster respect across diverse communities, address unmet needs like health or safety concerns, and improve social cohesion. Grants require projects to use research-based approaches, engage polarized communities, ensure participant safety, and track outcomes using standardized criteria. The program is funded exclusively through existing donations (not new federal funds) and mandates consultation with diverse community leaders and researchers. The Office will also compile research on civic bridgebuilding best practices for public access.

Maddy summaryThe Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2025 creates a federal grant program to help high-need schools hire and retain mental health professionals like counselors, psychologists, and social workers. It targets schools in the top 15% of need (based on student poverty or counts) that lack required staff ratios, such as one counselor per 250 students. Grants fund recruitment incentives (e.g., student loan repayment), retention programs, and evidence-based mental health services, with recipients required to contribute 25% of costs from non-federal funds. Schools must report annually on staff numbers, student-to-staff ratios, and retention rates to track progress toward improved mental health access.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts Medicare payments for hospital outpatient services in Alaska and Hawaii starting in 2026. It allows the Medicare Secretary to apply a special cost-of-living adjustment to non-labor costs (like supplies and equipment) for these hospitals, similar to adjustments used for other providers. The change specifically addresses the higher operating costs unique to Alaska and Hawaii, without requiring budget neutrality. It directly affects Medicare reimbursement for outpatient departments in those two states.