Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that open water lifeguards qualify as first responders and emergency response providers. It recognizes their essential, lifesaving work and reaffirms their role in protecting lives, property, evidence, and the environment.

Maddy summaryThe Pets Belong with Families Act amends federal housing laws to ban restrictions on pet breeds, size, or weight in public housing. It allows landlords to charge pet deposits limited to 10% of monthly rent, which must be amortized over at least three months and fully reimbursed within 30 days if no damage occurs. The bill also permits limits on the number of animals based on unit size and prohibits pets declared dangerous by courts or banned by state and local laws.

Maddy summaryThe Momnibus Act is a comprehensive legislative bill designed to improve maternal health outcomes across the United States by addressing social determinants of health, expanding access to care, and reducing disparities among pregnant and postpartum individuals. The bill establishes a federal task force to coordinate efforts between agencies and stakeholders to eliminate preventable maternal mortality and severe morbidity, while providing sustained funding to community-based organizations to address nonclinical factors like housing, nutrition, and transportation. Key provisions include extending WIC eligibility to 24 months postpartum, creating grants to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, implementing respectful maternity care training for all healthcare employees, and establishing compliance programs to track and address bias in maternity care settings. The legislation also includes specific measures for incarcerated mothers, veterans, and vulnerable populations affected by climate change, alongside funding for maternal mental health services and technology-enabled care models to expand access in underserved areas.

Maddy summaryHR 7380, the IRAN Act, aims to improve internet access for Iranian citizens by directing U.S. agencies to support secure connectivity tools. It requires the State Department to coordinate digital freedom efforts, update strategies to evaluate VPNs and Direct-to-Cell (DTC) technology, and ensure sanctions enforcement doesn’t block these tools for Iranians. The bill also mandates the FCC to prevent licensees from geo-blocking Iran’s satellite/DTC coverage (except for network security) and directs the State Department to report on coverage issues. Additionally, it authorizes $15 million annually for cybersecurity training and digital safety tools for Iranian journalists, activists, and civil society. The law explicitly states it does not override existing sanctions or require U.S. companies to sell services in Iran.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution supports designating the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week." The resolution aims to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States, specifically highlighting the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2026, extends the period during which a special postage stamp can be sold to raise funds for breast cancer research. It amends existing law to change the program's expiration date. Specifically, the bill allows the U.S. Postal Service to continue selling the Breast Cancer Research Stamp until 2037, extending its current authorization which was set to expire in 2027. This change aims to continue providing a dedicated funding source for breast cancer research through stamp sales, affecting stamp purchasers and breast cancer research institutions.

Maddy summaryThe SAFER Act of 2026 establishes federal standards for when financial institutions can transfer certain unclaimed securities, digital assets, and investment accounts to state governments under unclaimed property laws. It directly affects individuals and entities holding these assets, as well as the financial institutions that custody them. Under the bill, financial institutions generally cannot turn over assets from natural persons unless their death is confirmed at least three years prior with no fiduciary interest, or after five years of no contact for other entities. The bill also requires financial institutions to periodically check death databases for inactive accounts of individuals at retirement age and preempts conflicting state escheatment laws regarding these assets.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the April 15, 2021, mass shooting in Indianapolis that killed eight people, including four members of the Sikh community, and denounces anti-Asian hate and xenophobic rhetoric. It formally condemns violence and discrimination against South Asian Americans, Arabs, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, while also criticizing white supremacist ideology and anti-immigrant policies. The bill calls for expanded federal hate crime data collection and prevention programs, restoration of immigration processing, and reaffirms the government's commitment to protecting civil rights. As a House resolution, it expresses congressional sentiment and recommendations rather than enacting new laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 8295, the Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act of 2026, creates a new federal crime for knowingly misrepresenting the nature or source of DNA used in assisted reproductive technology or assisted insemination. This directly affects fertility clinics, practitioners, and patients undergoing such procedures. Individuals found guilty could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine, or both. The bill defines federal jurisdiction for these offenses, primarily involving interstate commerce, and extends the statute of limitations to 10 years after identification through DNA testing. It also adds this new crime to the list of "racketeering activities" under federal law.

Maddy summaryThe Supporting VA Families Act grants unpaid parental leave to Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This provision allows employees to take four weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period for the birth of a child or for adoption and foster care placements. The leave is designed to supplement existing leave policies rather than replace them, ensuring employees can balance family needs with their work responsibilities. The act defines eligible employees and children according to existing federal definitions found in Title 5 of the United States Code.