Rep. Mike Bost

Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of various crimes related to postal services (for example, assault on a postal service employee, breaking into a post office, or obstruction of mails). The bill also requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide that the assault or robbery of a postal employee shall be treated the same as the assault of a law enforcement officer. Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the USPS to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with electronic versions.

Maddy summaryHR 1046, the Marc Fischer Memorial Act, requires the Bureau of Prisons to implement digital mail scanning technology at all federal prisons to detect fentanyl and other synthetic drugs in inmate mail. It mandates a strategy within 90 days of an evaluation, including 100% scanning of all mail, digital copies of mail to inmates within 24 hours, and physical mail delivery within 30 days for non-contaminated items. The bill directly affects federal prison staff, inmates, and the Bureau of Prisons by aiming to reduce drug-related overdoses and alleviate staff workload tied to mail processing. Implementation must be completed within three years, with annual reports tracking detected drugs and strategy efficiency. The legislation focuses on concrete technological and procedural changes to enhance safety, referencing a successful pilot program at two facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 1094, the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act, prevents private restrictions (such as those in homeowners associations) from blocking amateur radio operators from installing and maintaining antennas for emergency communications. The bill directly affects over 770,000 licensed amateur radio operators in the U.S. who face such restrictions on their residential property. Key provisions include overriding unreasonable restrictions, requiring reasonable safety and building code compliance for allowed rules, setting a 45-day approval period for antenna installations (with deemed approval if not acted on), and exempting small antennas (under 1 meter, flagpoles ≤43 feet, or minimal wire antennas) from prior approval. This ensures amateur radio operators can quickly establish emergency communication systems without unnecessary delays or costs during crises.

Fair Access to Banking Act This bill places restrictions on certain banks, credit unions, and payment card networks if they refuse to do business with a person who complies with the law. Restrictions include prohibiting the use of electronic funds transfer systems and lending programs, termination of an institution's depository insurance, and specified civil penalties. Banks and other specified financial institutions are allowed to deny financial services to a person only if the denial is justified by a documented failure of that person to meet quantitative, impartial, risk-based standards established in advance by the institution. This justification may not be based upon reputational risks to the institution. The bill establishes the right for a person to bring a civil action for a violation of this bill.

Maddy summaryHR 1007, the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025, clarifies how the Department of Education enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to address discrimination against Jewish individuals. It requires the Department to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating complaints involving discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics. This affects Jewish students and communities in K-12 schools and colleges receiving federal funding, as it ensures antisemitism is assessed under existing civil rights protections. The bill does not create new laws but specifies that the IHRA definition - already used by the Department since 2018 - must be applied in Title VI enforcement cases.

Maddy summaryHRES 79 allocates $12,136,370 in total funding for the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs during the 119th Congress. The resolution specifies $5,985,270 for expenses incurred between January 3, 2025, and January 3, 2026, and $6,151,100 for expenses between January 3, 2026, and January 3, 2027. This funding covers all committee staff salaries and operational expenses, paid through vouchers approved by the committee chairman and House Administration. As a procedural budget resolution, it does not change laws or directly affect constituents.

Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 This bill increases certain payment adjustments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for services furnished between April 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHR 833 creates a federal tax credit for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) providing scholarships for elementary and secondary education. The credit allows taxpayers to deduct up to 10% of their adjusted gross income or $5,000 (whichever is less) for contributions to SGOs serving students from households with income up to 300% of the area median income. The bill establishes a $10 billion annual cap on the tax credit program, requires SGOs to verify student eligibility and maintain separate accounts, and prohibits government control over SGOs or private schools. It ensures scholarships can be used at public, private, or religious schools without discrimination based on religious character. The tax credit would be available for contributions made after December 31, 2025, with annual volume cap increases based on usage.

Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act This bill directs the Department of State to designate four specified drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. (Among other things, such a designation allows the Department of the Treasury to require U.S. financial institutions to block transactions involving the organization.) The four specified cartels in the bill are the Gulf Cartel, the Cartel Del Noreste, the Cartel de Sinaloa, and the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion. The bill also requires the State Department to submit a detailed report on those four cartels and any other cartels it may identify. Based on this report, the State Department must designate as a foreign terrorist organization any such identified cartel (or faction thereof) that meets certain criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization. The bill specifies that it may not be construed to expand eligibility for asylum.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 4 is a symbolic resolution expressing Congress's support for tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies (like mutual aid organizations). It recognizes these groups, which have over 7 million members nationwide, as historically and currently providing critical community benefits - including life/health insurance, charitable work, and volunteer services - valued at over $3.8 billion annually. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code remains beneficial and should continue to be promoted. This is a non-binding expression of congressional sentiment, not a policy change.