Rep. Steven Horsford

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes collective bargaining rules for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees by removing existing subsections (b), (c), and (d) from Section 7422 of Title 38 and redesignating the current subsection (e) as (b). It directly affects VA health care employees by altering the structure of their collective bargaining framework. The bill explicitly states it does not change the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' existing authorities over incentive pay or expedited hiring under Section 706 of Title 38. The change is purely procedural, focusing on the internal organization of bargaining rules without introducing new employee benefits or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends IRS rules to clarify that contractors primarily providing services to educational organizations (like schools) are treated similarly to employees for health coverage purposes. Specifically, it changes Section 4980H of the tax code so that these contractors count toward full-time employee thresholds when determining if an educational organization must offer health insurance. This directly affects schools and their operations/logistics contractors, requiring schools to include these contractors when assessing health coverage obligations under employer mandates. The change applies to months beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the U.S. military from discriminating against service members or applicants based on gender identity. It bans policies that would deny service, involuntarily separate members, deny medically necessary healthcare, or require service in a gender different from one's identity. The law defines "gender identity" broadly to include a person's internal sense of gender, appearance, and mannerisms, regardless of sex assigned at birth. It directly affects transgender and gender-diverse individuals currently serving or seeking to serve in the Armed Forces.

This bill prohibits the President from selling, transferring, or exporting certain defense articles or services to Israel, except in specified circumstances.  Defense articles covered by the prohibition include BLU-109 bunker busting bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) assemblies, and 155mm artillery ammunition. Defense services directly related to such articles are also covered.  The President may sell, transfer, or export such defense articles or services to Israel if (1) a law is enacted specifying the purposes for which such articles or services may be used, and (2) Israel provides written assurances that the defense articles or services will be used for those specific statutory purposes and in a manner consistent with certain other laws, including international human rights laws.

Maddy summaryHR 3532, the Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act, prohibits employers from terminating or altering an employee’s employer-sponsored health coverage during a lawful strike or a lockout (when an employer withholds work to influence bargaining). It directly affects workers participating in strikes or facing lockouts, ensuring continued healthcare access during these labor disputes. The bill adds penalties: $75,000 per violation for lockout-related coverage termination (up to $150,000 for repeat offenses), and $50,000 per violation for strike-related termination (up to $100,000 for repeat offenses), with penalties applied alongside other remedies. These provisions amend the National Labor Relations Act to protect workers’ healthcare rights during collective bargaining actions.

Maddy summaryHR 3473, the Humane Accountability Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to submit detailed reports to Congress about immigration detentions and facility conditions. It mandates specific data on detention numbers, removals, locations (including sensitive sites like schools), and incidents of abuse, medical care, or deaths in custody. The bill also requires advance notice to Congress before using non-traditional detention sites (such as military bases or tribal lands), including justification, capacity, and compliance plans. These reports aim to increase transparency for detainees, their families, and Congress regarding detention practices. The bill directly affects immigration detention facilities, immigrant detainees, and federal agencies managing immigration enforcement.

Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a grant program to support operating projects for public transportation and related service improvements, particularly in underserved communities and areas of persistent poverty. Specifically, the bill requires DOT to allocate funding under the program for urbanized areas, states, and Indian tribes that are recipients of funds under either the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) Urbanized Area Formula Funding program or Formula Grants for Rural Areas program. Eligible recipients may use funding for operating costs associated with projects that improve public transportation service for transit-dependent populations and support increased transit ridership (e.g., service expansion, information technology enhancements, and workforce development). DOT must apportion the funding so that recipients receive funds that are proportional to their share of operating costs. The bill also provides for an increased federal cost share for operating assistance for projects or programs carried out in areas of persistent poverty or underserved communities. DOT must set up a multimodal access measurement interface for public agencies to aid transit agencies in determining and reporting on access to jobs and essential services. A grant recipient must (1) report specific information to the FTA for inclusion in the National Transit Database, and (2) survey transit riders and non-riding residents regarding transit service improvements. Further, the bill expands the purposes of the public transportation programs to include supporting public transportation's role in combating climate change through growing/retaining transit ridership.

Maddy summaryHR 3459, the Empty Lots to Housing Act, allows local transportation agencies to transfer unused government-owned land (acquired with federal transportation funds) to develop affordable housing near transit. The bill requires that 40% of units built on this land must be affordable for households earning ≤60% of the area median income, with at least 20% reserved for those earning ≤30% of the median income. Transfers to third parties are permitted only if local entities can't take the land and the deal offers greater public benefit than government sale. This directly affects low- and moderate-income families by creating new affordable housing opportunities on previously underutilized public land.

Maddy summaryHR 3368, the "Born in the USA Act of 2025," prohibits federal funding for Executive Order 14160 (which aimed to restrict birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S.). The bill directly affects federal agencies that might implement the executive order by blocking their use of funds for that purpose. Its key provision is a funding ban targeting the executive order and any similar future policies, without changing citizenship law. The bill does not alter birthright citizenship rights but prevents federal resources from being used to enforce the controversial executive order. It is a procedural measure focused on funding, not a substantive policy change to citizenship rules.

Maddy summaryThe CHEERS Act creates a new tax deduction for restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues that purchase energy-efficient draft beer equipment. It amends tax code Section 179D to treat stainless steel or aluminum draft containers and tap systems as "qualified energy-efficient property," allowing businesses to deduct these costs. The deduction applies only to equipment used specifically for distributing and selling alcohol in eligible venues, meeting existing energy efficiency standards. The provision takes effect for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2024.