Rep. Claudia Tenney

Maddy summaryHR 2584, the Protect TANF Resources for Families Act, prohibits states from using federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to replace state or local funding for TANF programs. It requires states to certify that federal TANF funds will only supplement, not supplant, existing state spending, with this rule taking effect October 1, 2025. The bill also extends the TANF program through September 30, 2026, maintaining current funding levels and operations as authorized for fiscal year 2023. This directly affects states administering TANF and the low-income families receiving these benefits, ensuring federal funds are used as intended to support, not replace, state contributions.

Maddy summaryHR 2551, the Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025, prohibits the U.S. Department of Defense from renewing, extending, or entering into long-term retail contracts with businesses controlled by "covered nations" (nations designated under existing law as security concerns) on military installations in the U.S. It requires retailers to disclose ownership ties to covered nations to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS), which must assess national security risks within 180 days. The bill allows limited waivers only if essential services for troops' welfare are unavailable elsewhere and security risks are mitigated, with strict reporting requirements. Retailers failing to disclose ownership changes or misrepresenting control face immediate contract termination. This directly affects retailers operating on military bases with potential foreign ties.

Maddy summaryHR 2524, the "REPEAL CBO Requirements Act," would allow congressional committees (excluding Appropriations committees) to replace Congressional Budget Office (CBO) budget estimates with estimates from private accounting firms. Specifically, committee chairs could obtain budget cost estimates from the top 10 accounting firms by revenue instead of the CBO for any bill or resolution, using these private estimates for budget enforcement under key laws like the Balanced Budget Act and Pay-As-You-Go rules. The bill requires that if a private firm's estimate is used, the CBO would no longer prepare an estimate for that measure. This change would shift the responsibility for budget scoring from the nonpartisan CBO to for-profit accounting firms for most legislative measures.

Maddy summaryHR 2499 would make Executive Order 14248 - titled "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections" - legally binding by codifying it into law. This bill directly affects federal agencies responsible for implementing election policies, requiring them to follow the order as if it were a statute. The key mechanism is converting an existing executive directive (published in the Federal Register) into enforceable law, eliminating the need for future administrations to reissue the same guidance. It does not change election rules or procedures but ensures the order’s provisions have permanent legal standing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to establish a new government efficiency agency by 2026. The agency must have 10-20 members with equal representation from both major political parties in the state legislature and must annually publish reports on reviewing federal fund usage and eliminating waste. These reports must detail how the state administers federal funds and provide recommendations for improving efficiency, and be shared with both the public and the federal government. The requirement applies to all federal funding except security-related appropriations.

Maddy summaryHR 2509, the COMPLETE Care Act, creates Medicare payment incentives for primary care providers who integrate specific behavioral health services into their practice. It directly affects Medicare providers offering services identified by HCPCS codes 99484, 99492, 99493, 99494, G2214, and G0323 (covering models like Collaborative Care and Primary Care Behavioral Health) during 2027-2029. The bill increases Medicare payments for these services to 125-175% of standard rates (phasing down from 175% in 2027 to 125% in 2029) and waives budget neutrality rules to fund these higher payments. Additionally, it requires the HHS Secretary to provide technical assistance to primary care practices adopting these models by 2026, with dedicated funding for 2025-2029.

Maddy summaryThe DETERRENT Act requires higher education institutions receiving federal funding to disclose foreign gifts and contracts meeting certain value thresholds ($50,000 or more for regular foreign sources, all for "foreign countries of concern" or "foreign entities of concern"). Institutions must report details including the foreign source's identity, purpose, and financial value, with all disclosures made public through a searchable database. The bill prohibits contracts with designated "foreign countries of concern" or "foreign entities of concern" without a specific waiver, and includes enforcement mechanisms with fines for non-compliance. Institutions must also maintain policies requiring faculty and staff to disclose foreign connections that meet certain criteria.

Maddy summaryThe Farm to Fly Act of 2025 amends agricultural programs to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a qualifying biofuel, directly affecting U.S. farmers, agricultural producers, and the aviation industry by creating new market opportunities. It defines SAF with specific requirements - meeting ASTM standards, not derived from palm oil or petroleum, and achieving at least a 50% lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction compared to jet fuel. The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to lead a new collaboration initiative focusing on advancing SAF development through partnerships with farmers, rural economic support, and public-private partnerships. Additionally, it expands existing manufacturing assistance programs to include SAF production, aiming to strengthen domestic energy security and grow markets for agricultural feedstocks.

Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2025 or the SAFE Act of 2025 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly (1) slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or (2) shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption. The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. As background, in recent years, the appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.

Maddy summaryThe Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act of 2025 would prohibit states and local governments from imposing taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts during interstate or foreign commerce. This bill directly affects state tax policies and manufacturers or dealers selling these items across state lines. It explicitly states that the bill does not change the existing federal tax on firearms and ammunition that funds wildlife conservation programs. The key provision bans state-level taxes for these sales in interstate transactions while preserving current federal funding mechanisms.