Rep. Pat Harrigan

Maddy summaryThe Firearm Freedom Act of 2026 removes the federal ban on the possession and transfer of machineguns by repealing a specific section of the United States Code. This change would allow individuals who currently possess these weapons to keep them and would enable the legal transfer of machineguns between private citizens. The bill directly affects existing owners of machineguns and would alter the rules governing how these firearms can be sold or given away. By eliminating this restriction, the legislation aims to expand the types of firearms that are legally transferable under federal law.

Maddy summaryHRES 1314, the America 250 Commemorative Flag Act, designates a special flag featuring the number 250 within the circle of stars as an official United States flag for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This resolution authorizes the America 250 flag to be flown alongside the national flag and POW/MIA flags at all government buildings, embassies, and official U.S. locations worldwide during the commemoration year. The bill serves as a ceremonial measure to honor the nation's history and the sacrifices made by patriots, without altering any existing laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThe PERFECT Act of 2026 establishes a regularly updated list of prohibited dietary supplement ingredients and performance-enhancing substances that members of the armed forces are not allowed to use. To help service members avoid accidental violations, the bill requires the Department of Defense to publish this list in an easy-to-search online format and allows commanders to waive discipline for first-time offenders who unknowingly used a supplement containing a prohibited ingredient. Additionally, the legislation mandates that possession of these specific ingredients does not count as drug abuse and requires the Defense Department to update its training programs and website tools to better educate troops and vendors on supplement safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins must feature designs honoring victims and first responders (including the inscription "Never Forget") and will be sold only during 2027-2028. All surcharges ($35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin) collected from sales will fund the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, with no net cost to the federal government. The coins are legal tender but primarily intended for collectors, not circulation.

Maddy summaryThe Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum dedicated to women’s history, to be located within the National Mall Reserve in Washington, D.C. If the site is managed by another federal agency, the bill requires that agency to transfer the land after notifying Congress and relevant committees. The museum must ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent diverse women’s experiences by consulting a broad range of experts and community voices. The Smithsonian will submit biennial reports to Congress detailing how the museum meets these representation standards.

Maddy summaryThe Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act of 2026 directs the National Science Foundation to align its research funding with workforce development efforts in key biotechnology fields such as biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, and bioinformatics. To achieve this, the bill requires the NSF Director to create a workforce framework, support educational pathways with multiple entry points, and foster partnerships between universities, federal labs, and private industry. The legislation also mandates the development of metrics to identify career gaps and barriers to entry, along with a requirement to submit biennial reports to Congress assessing these efforts and the U.S. position in global biotechnology leadership.

Maddy summaryHR 8901, the Securing Innovation and Research from Adversaries Act, prohibits federally funded researchers and institutions from collaborating with entities on specific U.S. government restricted lists, such as those related to national security risks or forced labor. The bill defines research collaboration broadly to include joint projects, data sharing, co-authorship, and personnel exchanges, and it requires agencies to issue guidance for standardized compliance. While the law generally bans these partnerships, it allows federal agency heads to grant case-by-case waivers if the collaboration is essential for national security or critical scientific purposes, provided they report the decision and justification to Congress within 30 days.

Maddy summaryHR 5625, the Cashless Bail Reporting Act, requires the Attorney General to publish and regularly update a public list of all states and local governments that allow cashless bail (release without requiring money bonds). This list must be available within 30 days of the bill's enactment and updated quarterly. The bill does not change existing bail laws but increases transparency by making it easier for the public to see where cashless bail is used. It directly affects individuals seeking information about bail practices in different jurisdictions. The key mechanism is a mandatory, publicly accessible database maintained by the federal government.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Gang Violence Act requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation to include information on suspected gang-related offenses in its existing reports to the National Gang Intelligence Center. This change directly affects the FBI and federal law enforcement agencies by expanding the data they must collect and share regarding gang activities. The bill does not create new crimes or alter penalties but instead mandates a specific reporting procedure to improve the tracking of gang involvement in criminal cases.

Maddy summaryThe In God We Trust Act requires the Administrator of General Services to display the national motto "In God We Trust" on every public building within the United States. This mandate applies to all federal buildings and must be completed no later than one year after the law is enacted. The bill specifies that the motto must be inscribed or displayed in a prominent location on each structure.