Rep. Thomas H. Kean, Jr.

Maddy summaryHR 1031 establishes the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park in New York to preserve and interpret the site where 982 Holocaust refugees were housed from 1944 to 1946. The park will be managed by the National Park Service after the Secretary of the Interior acquires sufficient land (primarily through donation for state-owned property) to form a manageable unit. Key provisions require a Federal Register notice upon land acquisition, a management plan within three years, and cooperative agreements for public access and interpretation. The park directly affects the preservation of this historical site and serves the public by making its history accessible for education and reflection.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally recognizes New Jersey's law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel for their roles in the rescue and recovery efforts following the September 11, 2001 attacks. It highlights specific contributions, such as the large-scale waterborne evacuation across the Hudson River and the deployment of the state's urban search and rescue team to Ground Zero. The measure also honors those who have died from 9/11-related illnesses in the years since the attacks. Finally, it reaffirms the federal commitment to funding the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the amount of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits available for flight training at public colleges and universities. It sets a $100,000 maximum total benefit for such training (adjusted annually for inflation), affecting veterans pursuing flight programs at public institutions. The inflation adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index, increasing the cap each year based on prior cost-of-living changes. The limit applies only to veterans starting flight training on or after August 1, 2026. This is a direct change to benefit eligibility under the VA's education program.

Maddy summaryHR 5267, the American Franchise Act, clarifies when franchisors can be considered joint employers of franchisee employees under federal labor laws. It defines "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential employment terms like wages, benefits, hours, hiring, and discipline - requiring franchisors to actively set these terms to be deemed joint employers. The bill explicitly excludes routine brand standards, training, or minimal safety requirements from constituting such control. This directly affects franchisors and franchisees by limiting joint employer liability to cases where franchisors exert significant, ongoing influence over core employment decisions. The law applies prospectively to new cases after enactment, not past disputes.

Maddy summaryThe Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that every state meets a specific minimum number of mental health treatment centers within one year of enactment. For states in the contiguous United States, this minimum is calculated as the greater of one center per 30,000 square miles of land or one center per 55,000 veterans based on census data. Non-contiguous states and territories must maintain at least one center or match their existing count from January 1, 2020, whichever is higher. To achieve these targets, the Secretary may open new facilities using buildings provided by state, local, or tribal governments, and can establish outstations in place of full centers if multiple additional sites are needed in a single state.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by formally honoring the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims and recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders, military personnel, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The bill acknowledges the ongoing health challenges faced by survivors and responders, highlighting the role of the World Trade Center Health Program in providing long-term medical support. It also credits charitable organizations and community groups that have continued to assist victims' families and veterans over the past two decades. Finally, the resolution urges the American public to observe the anniversary with ceremonies and reaffirms Congress's commitment to remembering the events and lessons of that day.

Maddy summaryThe No Taxpayer Funds for Congressional First Class Flights Act prohibits Members of Congress from using government funds to purchase airline tickets in any class other than coach, effective starting in fiscal year 2027. The bill defines coach-class as the basic level of service that includes carry-on baggage at no extra cost, regardless of how specific airlines label their seating options. An exception is made for situations where a higher class of travel is required to accommodate a medical disability or other special need. Each chamber of Congress would be responsible for creating regulations to enforce these new travel restrictions.

Maddy summaryThe End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026 amends the Foreign Assistance Act to designate ending the global tuberculosis emergency as a major objective of U.S. foreign policy and authorizes the President to provide funding for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment programs worldwide. The bill sets specific targets to be achieved by 2030, including an 80 percent reduction in new infections and a 90 percent reduction in deaths compared to 2015 levels, while also requiring that 30 million individuals receive preventive treatment. Key provisions mandate the use of innovative diagnostic tools, support for drug-resistant TB care, and coordination with private sector partners to develop vaccines and lower treatment costs. The legislation requires annual reports to Congress detailing program progress and expenditures, and it includes a sunset clause that terminates these specific authorities on January 1, 2033.

Maddy summaryThe Workforce Mobility Act of 2026 generally prohibits employers from entering into or enforcing noncompete agreements with their employees and contractors, rendering such contracts void. The bill includes specific exceptions that allow for noncompetes in the context of selling a business entity or dissolving a partnership, as well as for senior executives involved in a business sale who receive substantial severance compensation. It explicitly preserves an employer's right to protect trade secrets through nondisclosure agreements and requires businesses to post notices about these new worker protections. Enforcement is shared between the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Labor, which must establish joint standards within one year, while also granting individuals a private right of action to sue for damages and attorney fees. Additionally, the act invalidates any predispute arbitration or class action waiver agreements related to violations of these noncompete rules.

This resolution states that the House of Representatives condemns and denounces socialism in all its forms, including the Democratic Socialists of America, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States; reaffirms its support for free, fair, and secure elections and calls for enactment of the SAVE America Act; reiterates that American elections are for American citizens only; and recommits itself to upholding the U.S. Constitution.