Rep. Jack Bergman

Maddy summaryHRES 901 is a U.S. House resolution expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan. It calls on the U.S. President and Secretary of State to collaborate with Pakistan to uphold democratic processes, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution urges Pakistan to protect freedoms of speech, assembly, and press, and to avoid arbitrary detention or suppression of political participation. It also condemns efforts to undermine Pakistan's electoral or judicial systems, including harassment of citizens during protests or interference with elections.

Maddy summaryHR 8821, the HOPE with Fertility Services Act, requires group health plans and health insurance issuers that cover obstetrical services to provide comprehensive coverage for infertility treatments and fertility preservation when medical treatments (like cancer therapy) cause or risk iatrogenic infertility. It defines infertility broadly and mandates coverage for procedures like IVF, egg freezing, and ovulation induction, while allowing standard cost-sharing but prohibiting insurers from discouraging or penalizing these services. Insurers must annually submit analyses of their coverage rules for these treatments to the Secretary of Labor for 5 years after enactment, with potential civil penalties for noncompliance. The law applies to all applicable plans starting January 1, 2026.

Orbital Sustainability Act of 2024 or the ORBITS Act of 2024 This bill directs specified agencies to take actions to remediate orbital debris (human-made space objects that are no longer in use and can harm orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities). The Department of Commerce must publish and periodically update a list of orbital debris that may be remediated to reduce the risk of harm to orbiting satellites and on-orbit activities. In addition, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) must (1) establish a demonstration program to foster the development of technologies to remediate the orbital debris on the list, and (2) carry out other research and development activities to advance technologies for remediating orbital debris. NASA (and other relevant agencies) may also contract for remediation services to support the commercial availability of such services. Additionally, the National Space Council must update the Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices within 90 days of the enactment of the bill and update them periodically thereafter. The updates must address matters including satellite constellations and other planned space systems, collision risks, and disposal of space systems after missions. The updates must inform (1) regulations of other agencies concerning orbital debris, and (2) bilateral and multilateral discussions with other countries concerning certain space activities. Finally, Commerce must facilitate the development of standard practices to coordinate on-orbit space traffic. Upon completion of the practices, Commerce and other federal departments must promote their adoption and use for space missions.

Maddy summaryHR 8766 allows flags to be displayed upright and secured directly beside the graves of deceased military members (per Title 10) or veterans (per Title 38) at national cemeteries. This amendment to Title 4 of the U.S. Code modifies existing flag display rules by explicitly permitting this adjacent placement. The bill specifically affects how flags are displayed at veterans' gravesites in national cemeteries nationwide. It changes the current regulation that restricted flag placement to the grave itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Northern Border Security Review Act to establish a new annual deadline for threat analysis (September 2, 2025, and each year after) and requires the Department of Homeland Security to update its northern border strategy within 90 days of each analysis. It mandates that the Secretary provide a classified briefing to congressional committees within 30 days of each threat analysis and develop performance measures for U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations to secure the northern border in air and maritime areas within six months of enactment. The bill directly affects the Department of Homeland Security and congressional committees by imposing specific reporting deadlines and review requirements. These changes focus on improving the frequency and structure of security assessments without altering existing border security operations.

Maddy summaryHR 537 authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor 60 diplomats who saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust by issuing visas and passports against their governments' orders, risking expulsion and personal danger. The medal will be presented to the next of kin of these diplomats, alongside representatives from their home countries, and permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This legislation recognizes the diplomats' humanitarian actions without creating new government programs or altering existing laws.

Maddy summaryHR 8693, the "No American Land for Communist China Act," prohibits U.S. citizens or entities from purchasing real estate adjacent to specific federal lands if owned by the Chinese government or businesses with 25%+ Chinese government ownership. It directly affects Chinese government entities and Chinese-owned businesses operating in the U.S., restricting their ability to buy land near protected federal areas. The bill requires the President to take necessary actions to block such purchases, covering lands managed by Interior, Defense, Agriculture (Forest Service), or designated Indian country. This is a policy restriction, not a funding measure, targeting land transactions near sensitive federal properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 8644) amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 to expand eligibility for federal funding for harbor projects in underserved communities. It clarifies that "projects" include single-cycle maintenance dredging, beneficial dredged material placement, or breakwater maintenance at these harbors, regardless of prior federal authorization. The bill also mandates that at least 25% of annual funds for these projects must support harbors in the Great Lakes Navigation System. This directly affects small, underserved coastal communities seeking federal assistance for harbor maintenance and infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHJRES 166 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule that would have changed overtime exemption standards for certain salaried workers. The rule, published in April 2024, aimed to redefine how executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees are classified for overtime pay under federal law. If enacted, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preserving the existing classification system for these workers.

Maddy summaryHR 5403, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing or facilitating central bank digital currency (CBDC) directly or indirectly to individuals through financial institutions. It specifically bans Federal Reserve banks from offering digital products to individuals, maintaining individual accounts, or using CBDC for monetary policy implementation. The bill also clarifies that its restrictions do not apply to existing physical cash or private, permissionless digital payment systems. This bill directly affects the Federal Reserve's ability to develop or deploy a government-run digital dollar. The law aims to prevent the Federal Reserve from creating a digital currency that could enable transaction tracking or government oversight of personal financial activity.