Rep. Jared F. Golden

Maddy summaryHR 8305, the Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act, provides financial relief to timber harvesting and hauling businesses that suffer significant revenue losses due to major disasters. It authorizes payments equal to 10% of a business's gross revenue during a 30-day period or quarter if revenue drops by at least 10% compared to the same period in the previous year, including losses from insect infestations declared as disasters. Payments must be used solely for operating expenses and are funded with $50 million annually for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The program targets small timber businesses directly impacted by events like wildfires or pest outbreaks, with the USDA administering the payments and reporting recipient details to Congress.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (HJRES 200) disapproves a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning the importation of dogs and cats. The rule, published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2024, established requirements for foreign quarantine of these animals to prevent communicable diseases. By passing this resolution, Congress directs that the HHS rule has no legal effect and cannot be enforced. The measure directly affects pet importers, breeders, and travel-related businesses handling international pet shipments.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to change how enlisted service time counts toward total service for military officers who completed Service Reserve Officer Training Corps (SROTC). It allows officers to count their enlisted service toward their total service time using the date the bill is enacted, instead of the previous cutoff date of August 1, 1979. The change directly affects officers who completed SROTC and are now serving as officers, particularly those whose enlisted service ended after 1979. This adjustment simplifies the process for these officers to qualify for certain benefits tied to their total service duration.

Maddy summaryThe New England Coastal Protection Act of 2024 prohibits the federal government from leasing any area of the outer Continental Shelf off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut for oil and gas exploration, development, or production. It amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to explicitly block such leases, overriding any existing or future laws that might permit them. This policy change directly affects the oil and gas industry by eliminating potential new drilling opportunities in these coastal waters and restricts the federal government’s authority to issue offshore energy leases in the region. The bill creates a permanent ban on new oil and gas leasing in this specific coastal zone.

Maddy summaryHR 9144, the Let America Vote Act, requires states to allow voters not registered with a political party (unaffiliated voters) to participate in any primary election for federal, state, or local office - though they cannot vote in primaries for more than one party. It also prohibits states from sharing unaffiliated voters' personal information with political parties or marking them as affiliated with a party solely based on their primary vote. Additionally, the bill bans noncitizens from voting in any taxpayer-funded election for public office and ties federal election administration funding to state compliance with these rules. States must certify adherence to these provisions to receive federal funds for election administration.

Maddy summaryHJRES 148 is a joint resolution seeking to block a Treasury Department rule that would have modified clean vehicle tax credits. The rule, published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2024, aimed to restrict credits for vehicles using critical minerals or battery components sourced from "Foreign Entities of Concern" and to limit credit transfers. This resolution would nullify that rule, preventing it from taking effect and preserving the existing structure of the clean vehicle credit program under Sections 25E and 30D of the tax code. It directly affects electric vehicle buyers, manufacturers, and dealers participating in the federal tax credit program.

Maddy summaryHR 9060 extends tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel producers and users through 2025, replacing the previous 2024 expiration date. It amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the biodiesel credit (Section 40A) and biodiesel mixture credit (Section 6426) for fuels sold or used after December 31, 2024. The bill also adds a provision preventing double benefits by requiring the credit amount to be zero for fuels already claiming another credit under Section 45Z(a). This directly affects biodiesel producers, refiners, and businesses using these fuels for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryHR 9071, the UAS Threat Disclosure Act, requires the Director of National Intelligence to declassify all pre-May 2024 security assessments about drones made by or controlled by Chinese entities within 90 days. It directs the declassified information - including security reports and agency actions - to be published online and submitted to Congress. The bill specifically targets "covered unmanned aircraft systems," defined as drones produced or influenced by China’s government or Communist Party. This makes security findings about Chinese-linked drone threats publicly accessible, while allowing national security exemptions. The law affects public transparency regarding Chinese drone security risks but does not alter drone regulations or impose new restrictions.

Maddy summaryHR 9011, the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2024, extends the U.S. government's authority to provide military equipment to Ukraine and Eastern European countries affected by Russia's invasion through fiscal year 2026 (previously ending in 2023). It requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report within 90 days of using this authority, detailing the specific defense equipment provided and outlining a strategy for recovering and returning that equipment. The bill directly affects Ukraine's government and allied nations in Eastern Europe by enabling continued access to U.S. military aid. Key provisions include the extended funding period and mandatory transparency measures to track aid usage and future recovery.

Maddy summaryHR 8988, the "Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act," expands federal law to prohibit foreign-controlled businesses from influencing U.S. elections. It bans contributions or spending by any for-profit business entity where foreign nationals own 50% or more of voting shares, or where foreign entities collectively own 5% or more (or exert control over election activities). Businesses must certify compliance before making election-related spending, including contributions to political committees, and recipients cannot reuse uncertified funds for further election activities. This bill directly affects foreign-owned corporations, partnerships, and similar entities seeking to participate in U.S. elections.