Rep. Richard Hudson

Maddy summaryHR 1476, the PLASMA Act, adjusts discount rates for plasma-derived drugs under Medicare Part D starting in 2026. It sets gradually decreasing discount percentages (from 99% down to 90% by 2030) for these specific drugs when beneficiaries reach their annual out-of-pocket spending threshold. The bill directly affects Medicare Part D beneficiaries using plasma-derived biological products (drugs made from human blood or plasma) and the manufacturers of those drugs. Certain drugs for low-income subsidy beneficiaries and small manufacturers are excluded from these discount provisions. The law phases in these changes over several years to align with existing Medicare Part D cost-sharing rules.

This concurrent resolution declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.

Maddy summaryHR 1301, the Death Tax Repeal Act, would eliminate the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax for estates of individuals dying on or after its enactment date. It directly affects individuals inheriting significant assets, as it removes taxes on estates exceeding $10 million (adjusted for inflation) and repeals taxes on large transfers between generations. The bill modifies the gift tax by establishing a $10 million lifetime exemption with annual inflation adjustments, replacing previous tax brackets. It applies to estates, gifts, and transfers occurring on or after the bill's effective date.

Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2025 This bill increases penalties for, and establishes additional enforcement mechanisms related to, fraudulent and grossly negligent violations of U.S. customs laws. Specifically, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for a fraudulent violation to three times the domestic value of the merchandise. (Currently, the maximum penalty is the domestic value of the merchandise.) It prohibits a person who commits a fraudulent violation from importing merchandise into the United States for a five-year period. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for a grossly negligent violation to the lesser of (1) 3 times the domestic value of the merchandise; or (2) 10 times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees. (Currently, the maximum penalty is the lesser of the domestic value of the merchandise or four times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees.) It prohibits a person who commits a grossly negligent violation from importing merchandise into the United States for a two-year period. Further, the bill applies these importation bans to an affiliated person (e.g., a family member or employee) of the person who committed the fraudulent or grossly negligent violation. The bill establishes a private right of action for an interested party (e.g., a manufacturer) affected by customs fraud or grossly negligent violations. The bill prohibits any person (or an affiliated person) who commits a fraudulent or grossly negligent violation from participating in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Importer of Record program, and further requires revocation of their importer of record numbers.

United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions to increase defense-related cooperation between the United States and Israel. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a cooperative program, with the concurrence of Israel's Ministry of Defense (MOD), to develop and deploy advanced technologies for countering unmanned systems that threaten the United States and Israel; establish in Israel an office of the Defense Innovation Unit (an organization that focuses on rapidly fielding and scaling commercial technology across the U.S. military); and seek to engage Israel's MOD on the ascension of Israel into the national technology and industrial base (currently defined in law as the persons and organizations engaged in research, development, production, integration, services, or information technology activities conducted within the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada). The bill authorizes DOD, upon request of Israel's MOD, to jointly conduct research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics to meet defense challenges. Additionally, the bill extends the authority for DOD to (1) carry out RDT&E on a joint basis with Israel to establish anti-tunnel and counter unmanned aerial systems capabilities through 2028, and (2) transfer defense articles intended for use as reserve stocks for Israel through January 1, 2029.

Alternatives to Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the Alternatives to PAIN Act This bill reduces cost-sharing and prohibits the imposition of certain utilization requirements under the Medicare prescription drug benefit for certain non-opioid pain management drugs. Specifically, the bill requires such drugs to be covered without a deductible and to be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier (if any). The bill also prohibits the imposition of prior authorization requirements (i.e., requiring prior approval from a plan) or step therapy requirements (i.e., requiring the use of alternative drugs before a drug is covered under a plan) with respect to such drugs.

Maddy summaryHR 1232, the National Right-to-Work Act, would make union membership voluntary for workers in most private-sector jobs by removing legal requirements for employees to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment. It directly affects workers in unionized workplaces covered by the National Labor Relations Act (including most private employers) and railroad workers covered by the Railway Labor Act. The key change eliminates provisions that allowed "union security agreements" (requiring dues or membership), meaning workers could no longer be forced to pay union fees to keep their jobs. This bill does not change other labor rights or create new programs - it only modifies existing laws to allow workers to opt out of union membership and financial obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 10% tax credit for businesses that modernize or replace freight railcars, directly affecting railcar owners and manufacturers. To qualify, railcars must meet an 8% improvement standard in capacity or fuel efficiency, be built or modernized after enactment, and replace two scrapped railcars. The credit is limited to 1,000 qualified railcars per business annually, with reporting requirements for the Treasury to track claimed credits, scrapped railcars, and new railcar production. The credit applies to railcars placed in service after December 2024, ending three years after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 1195, the Protect Medicaid Act, prohibits federal Medicaid funds from covering administrative costs related to health benefits provided to unauthorized immigrants who lack lawful immigration status and are ineligible for Medicaid. This directly affects states that currently provide such benefits, requiring them to separate these administrative costs from general Medicaid program expenses. The bill adds a new provision to the Social Security Act clarifying that federal funds cannot be used for these specific administrative costs, while allowing funds for systems designed to enforce this rule. It also mandates an Inspector General report detailing how states separate costs, ensure compliance, finance these programs (e.g., through provider taxes), and the impact on drug pricing for this population.

Maddy summaryThe HALT Fentanyl Act (HR 27) creates a new category of Schedule I controlled substances for "fentanyl-related substances" defined by specific chemical modifications to fentanyl. This law directly affects researchers, medical professionals, and law enforcement by expanding the legal definition of fentanyl-related substances to include many structurally similar compounds. Key provisions include streamlined registration processes for research on these substances, allowing researchers to conduct studies with expedited procedures if related to FDA-approved drug development or government-funded research. The bill requires the Attorney General to issue implementing rules within six months and includes penalties for violations involving these substances.