Rep. David P. Joyce

Maddy summaryHR 1477 creates a new Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division to enforce federal animal cruelty laws. This unit will coordinate with agencies like the FBI, USDA, and U.S. Marshals to investigate and prosecute cases, addressing current gaps in enforcement. The bill requires the unit to submit annual reports to Congress detailing prosecutions, convictions, and investigations where charges weren't filed. It does not change existing animal cruelty laws but establishes a dedicated federal unit to improve enforcement of current statutes.

Maddy summaryHR 1500 requires federal agencies to prioritize native plants over non-native plants in landscaping projects at federal facilities (like military bases, parks, and government buildings), where feasible considering cost and maintenance. It mandates agencies to update design standards within 270 days, include native plant requirements in contracts, and consider benefits like supporting pollinators and reducing water use. Agencies must also report annually on implementation, including case studies and environmental impacts, starting two years after the law takes effect. This affects all federal projects involving landscape improvements across all states and territories.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames the federal holiday observed on the third Monday in February from "Washington's Birthday" to "Presidents' Day" and updates all federal references to replace "Washington's Birthday" with "Presidents' Day" in laws, regulations, and official documents. It directly affects federal agencies, government records, and any laws containing the term "Washington's Birthday" by requiring the new name to be used moving forward. The key mechanism is a simple terminology update across federal statutes, with specific conforming changes made to Title 4 of the U.S. Code and the Federal Contested Election Act. This is a procedural change with no new policies or financial impacts.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to recalculate monthly pension benefits for retirees in six specific Delphi-related pension plans to reflect the full vested amount they would have received without prior benefit limits. It mandates lump-sum payments for past underpayments, including 6% annual interest, to eligible retirees and beneficiaries who received lower benefits than guaranteed under ERISA. The PBGC must fund these payments through a new Delphi Full Vested Plan Benefit Trust Fund established in the Treasury. This directly affects retirees in the Delphi Hourly-Rate, Delphi Retirement Program for Salaried Employees, PHI Non-Bargaining, ASEC Manufacturing, PHI Bargaining, and Delphi Mechatronic Systems pension plans. The law does not alter existing PBGC rules for other plans or change how the agency administers benefits generally.

Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act or the I CAN Act This bill allows other health care providers besides physicians (e.g., nurses) to provide certain services under Medicare and Medicaid. Among other changes, the bill (1) allows a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to fulfill documentation requirements for Medicare coverage of special shoes for diabetic individuals; (2) expedites the ability of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to supervise Medicare cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs; and (3) allows nurse practitioners to certify the need for inpatient hospital services under Medicare and Medicaid.

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.

Maddy summaryThe Great Lakes Gateways Network Act of 2025 creates a coordinated network of sites across the Great Lakes region to conserve, restore, and interpret natural, historical, and cultural resources. It authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (with EPA collaboration) to provide technical and financial assistance for linking these sites - such as parks, historic ports, and cultural landmarks - with trails, water routes, and educational connections. The bill establishes a grants program offering up to 50% federal funding for conservation projects, requiring non-federal matching funds (including in-kind contributions) and capping administrative costs at 10% of project totals. The program is funded at $6 million annually from 2026 through 2031 for state/local governments, nonprofits, and private groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill funds a long-term health study on the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which released chemicals through venting and burning. It directs the Health Secretary to award grants to university consortia with community ties to study residents' health impacts over time. The study must report progress within two years and final results within a year of publication, with Congress receiving both updates. Funding is authorized for fiscal year 2026 through 2030 to support this research.