Rep. Jefferson Shreve

Maddy summaryThe VERIFY Act of 2026 directs the Department of Homeland Security to upgrade the SAVE program, which verifies immigration status for individuals applying for federal benefits, to ensure faster and more accurate responses. Key provisions require modernizing the system's technology to reduce delays, integrating it with other government databases for better data sharing, and mandating that status changes be reflected within 24 hours. The bill also establishes strict rules for using automated tools, ensuring human review is required for any negative eligibility decisions and prohibiting the use of the system for general law enforcement or criminal history checks. Additionally, the act prohibits charging fees to government agencies for verification queries and mandates regular audits by the Inspector General to monitor accuracy and compliance.

Maddy summaryThe Rural Animal Shelter Investment Act allows rural animal shelters to apply for federal loans and grants previously reserved for essential community facilities like schools and libraries. By amending the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, the bill officially classifies these shelters as essential community facilities, making them eligible for financial assistance under the Community Facility Direct Loan and Grant Program. The changes will take effect 180 days after the law is enacted, providing a specific timeline for when shelters can begin accessing these funding opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Commerce to create a biennial plan helping U.S. businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, comply with export control regulations. It mandates annual public conferences and outreach efforts to educate companies on licensing procedures and policy updates, with special focus on those lacking large compliance departments. The legislation also updates reporting requirements to include detailed statistics on advisory opinions and classification requests, including processing times and the number of publicly posted guidance documents. These changes aim to improve transparency and support for businesses navigating complex export rules while maintaining national security standards.

Maddy summaryThe MATCH Act requires U.S. agencies to align export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment with allied nations to prevent adversaries from accessing critical technology. It mandates a 150-day period for diplomatic efforts to secure countrywide denial policies from allied suppliers, after which U.S. jurisdiction would extend to equipment exported from countries not complying with these controls. The bill specifically targets semiconductor manufacturing equipment that the U.S. cannot currently produce in high volume and includes a list of Chinese companies deemed to warrant comprehensive restrictions. If allies fail to implement matching controls, the Act would allow the U.S. to regulate equipment exported from non-compliant allied countries and restrict servicing of restricted items at facilities in adversary nations. The legislation includes a sunset provision that expires five years after enactment, with annual reporting requirements to Congress on progress and compliance.

Maddy summaryThe BIS STRENGTH Act allows the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to hire up to 25 outside experts in critical technology and security fields without following standard civil service hiring rules. These experts can be appointed to positions with pay up to the maximum for senior government roles (capped at Vice President-level compensation) for up to 5 years, extendable by 1 year for national security needs. The bill requires annual reports to Congress detailing hiring gaps, appointments, and impacts on BIS's mission. It includes strict limits on the total number of such hires and mandates continued employment for existing appointees if the program ends.

Maddy summaryHR 6331, the ADVERSARIES Act, amends export control definitions to clarify which entities face restrictions. It specifically expands the definition of "entity" to include Chinese military companies listed under the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, entities on Commerce Department lists (Supplements 4 and 7 to Part 744), and their 50%+ owned subsidiaries or affiliates. This change directly affects U.S. exporters and researchers who must now comply with export controls when dealing with these designated entities. The bill does not create new restrictions but formally incorporates existing lists into the legal definition under the Export Control Reform Act. It ensures U.S. export rules explicitly cover these specific strategic entities and their affiliates.

Maddy summaryThe STRIDE Act requires the U.S. State Department to coordinate with allied nations on semiconductor supply chain security, specifically targeting prevention of technology transfers to countries of concern like China. It establishes mechanisms for aligning export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment, materials, and design tools, and mandates regular reporting on diplomatic progress. Countries failing to implement sufficient security measures face potential U.S. export restrictions under the Foreign Direct Product Rule. The bill directly affects U.S. trade policy with allies and semiconductor companies operating in global supply chains.

Maddy summaryHR 4505 establishes a new 5-year Export Control Officer Program to address gaps in U.S. export enforcement. The bill requires the Commerce Department to station at least 20 export control officers at U.S. diplomatic posts within 90 days, significantly increasing the current count of 11 officers covering 60 countries. These officers will conduct end-use checks to verify that exported items comply with U.S. license rules, advise embassies on export policies, and coordinate with foreign governments to prevent unauthorized use of controlled technology. The program directly affects the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and aims to strengthen enforcement by expanding on-the-ground oversight of U.S. exports globally.

Maddy summaryThe ALERT Act (HR 7613) requires the Federal Aviation Administration to improve aviation safety through several key measures. It mandates the evaluation and potential implementation of enhanced collision avoidance systems (ACAS-Xa) for commercial aircraft and ACAS-Xr for rotorcraft, with specific deadlines for rulemaking and installation. The bill establishes committees to develop recommendations for safety technology requirements, requires safety risk assessments for air traffic controllers, and addresses operational procedures at high-traffic airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National. These provisions affect air carriers, air traffic controllers, rotorcraft operators, and Department of Defense aircraft operations. The act aims to enhance situational awareness and reduce midair collision risks through technology upgrades and improved safety protocols.

Maddy summaryThe Tech Diplomacy Training Act requires all U.S. Foreign Service officers to complete mandatory training on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics, including artificial intelligence and emerging communications technologies. This training will be administered through the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center and must cover how these technologies impact diplomacy, how adversaries use them, and how the United States can leverage them as diplomatic tools. New officers must complete the full curriculum during their initial training, while existing officers have 18 months to finish the comprehensive program or 270 days to complete a condensed version. The requirement applies to all Foreign Service officers and operates alongside existing training requirements without replacing them.