Rep. Bill Foster

Maddy summaryThe Ceasefire Compliance Act of 2026 establishes requirements for Israel to comply with the October 10, 2025, ceasefire agreement, including allowing sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza, halting military operations in Gaza, preventing settler violence, and supporting Palestinian governance. The bill requires the US government to submit quarterly reports certifying Israel's compliance with these conditions, with potential restrictions on US defense sales to Israel if violations occur. If Israel fails to meet the requirements, the US would prohibit the sale, export, or transfer of US-origin defense articles for use in the West Bank or Gaza. The bill also creates an end-use monitoring group to track if US defense articles are being used in those areas, with a 5-year sunset provision. This legislation directly affects US-Israel defense relations and the flow of military assistance.

Maddy summaryHR 7599 creates a federal framework for extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), allowing family members or law enforcement to petition courts to temporarily prohibit individuals from possessing firearms when they pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. The bill establishes a process for issuing ex parte orders (up to 14 days) followed by a hearing within 72 hours to determine if a longer-term order (up to 180 days) should be issued, requiring respondents to surrender firearms to U.S. Marshals or designated law enforcement. Courts must consider specific factors like recent threats, violence, substance abuse, or cruelty to animals before issuing orders, with no fees for petitioners. The law requires law enforcement training to address bias, includes annual reporting requirements, and ensures firearms are returned once the order expires and the individual is eligible to own firearms under federal law.

Maddy summaryHRES 1066 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' condolences to the families of five victims killed in a 2019 mass shooting at a warehouse in Aurora, Illinois. It honors the memory of Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard, and Trevor Wehner, while commending the Aurora Police Department officers and emergency responders who were wounded during the incident. The resolution does not create new laws but serves as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the Aurora community and victims of gun violence nationwide.

Maddy summaryHRES 1061 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year in 2026. It does not create new laws or policies, but formally acknowledges Lunar New Year's origins (over 4,000 years in China), its celebration as Seollal in Korea and Tết in Vietnam, and its observance by millions of Asian Americans and others in the U.S. The resolution expresses respect for Asian Americans and extends holiday wishes for a "happy and prosperous new year" during the Year of the Horse. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on any individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most employers to provide workers with earned paid sick leave. Employees would earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours per year, which can be used for their own illness, medical care, caring for family members (including children, parents, spouses, domestic partners, or other family-like relationships), or addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking situations. The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who use this leave and requires employers to inform employees about their rights. It ensures that workers who leave and return to the same employer within a year can reinstate their unused sick leave. This law would not override more generous state or local paid leave policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the process for the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) when considering actions against U.S. nonbank financial companies. It requires the FSOC to first determine that alternative solutions - such as new regulatory standards, agency actions, or a company's written plan - are not possible or insufficient to protect financial stability before voting on a formal determination. The change directly affects the FSOC and large nonbank financial companies that could face regulatory scrutiny. The key provision adds a new step to ensure the Council explores other options before taking significant action. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 3 sentences as specified.)

Maddy summaryThe Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 authorizes $20 billion annually from 2027 to 2031 to improve public school facilities nationwide. The bill provides grants to states to fund school construction, renovation, and modernization projects that focus on safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility, with priority given to schools serving high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Funds cannot be used for routine maintenance, athletic facilities, or vehicles, and must meet specific environmental, safety, and energy efficiency standards. The bill also includes specific provisions for repairing school foundations affected by pyrrhotite, a mineral that causes concrete deterioration, and requires use of American-made materials for construction projects.

Maddy summaryHR 7326 (ABODE Act) creates a grant program to fund the development or rehabilitation of affordable housing. It directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to award grants to organizations building or rehabbing single- and multi-family homes for households earning 50% or less of the area median income. Projects must prioritize reducing costs, improving energy efficiency, enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities, and using resilient designs. HUD will require grantees to build a set number of homes meeting these standards before receiving full payment, and must report results to Congress within two years.

Maddy summaryHR 6547, the Least Cost Exception Act, modifies the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to allow the FDIC (as the "Corporation") to select non-least-cost resolution methods for failing banks if certain conditions are met. It directly affects the FDIC, the Deposit Insurance Fund, and major global banking institutions by permitting exceptions to standard cost-minimization rules. Key provisions require the FDIC to determine that an alternative method limits further concentration among large banks, comply with specific cost and risk thresholds, and pay the Fund for cost differences over at least five years. The bill mandates annual reporting to Congress on such decisions and defines "covered alternatives" as the least-cost method involving sales to global systemically important banks.

Maddy summaryHJRES 144 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on December 31, 2025, which addressed "Reproductive Health Services" (90 Fed. Reg. 61310). This resolution directs Congress to disapprove the VA rule under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, meaning the rule would have no legal effect if passed. The bill directly affects the VA's implementation of reproductive health services for veterans, as it seeks to nullify the agency's existing policy. This is a procedural measure, not a substantive policy change, aimed solely at blocking the VA's rule through congressional action.