Rep. Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr.

Maddy summaryThe Make Elections Great Again Act (HR 7300) would require voters to present photo identification to cast ballots in person or by mail for federal elections, with limited exceptions for religious objections or military voters. It would establish new requirements for proving U.S. citizenship during voter registration, including documentary proof of citizenship and proof of state residency. The bill would change mail-in ballot procedures by requiring voters to request mail-in ballots (rather than universal mail-in voting), implementing barcode tracking for mail-in ballots, and setting strict deadlines for ballot receipt. These provisions would apply to all states for federal elections held in 2027 or later, affecting how voters register, vote in person, and submit mail-in ballots for federal office elections.

Maddy summaryHR 6635, the Bus Operator Safety and Security Act, requires new fixed-route buses over 30 feet long (with a 10+ year lifespan) purchased using federal transit funds to have physical barriers at the driver's workstation. These barriers must extend from floor to ceiling, fully enclose the workstation to block entry of people or objects, and not obstruct the driver's view. Transit agencies must install these barriers within two years of the law's enactment, unless the labor union representing bus drivers agrees to waive the requirement. The rule applies only to new buses bought with federal funds (excluding those from rural transportation programs) and directly affects transit agencies and bus drivers operating large fixed-route vehicles.

Maddy summaryThe Bridges not Bumpers Act of 2025 creates a working group to improve data sharing about bridge clearances for commercial vehicles, requiring better GPS navigation tools, clearer height labeling on rental vehicles (over 5,700 lbs), and warnings to renters. It mandates that rental companies provide height information and warnings about bridge clearance, while also addressing liability for inaccurate GPS data. The bill establishes a national clearinghouse for bridge strike data and funds research grants to identify high-risk locations and improve infrastructure. It directly affects commercial truck drivers, GPS navigation providers, and rental car companies with fleets of 5+ vehicles, aiming to reduce bridge strikes through better information and infrastructure planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal water pollution control funding rules to make wastewater services more affordable for low-income communities. It requires states to dedicate at least 20% of their annual federal capitalization grants toward additional subsidies for wastewater infrastructure, with an additional 10% specifically reserved for rural, small, and tribal publicly owned treatment works. States must use these funds to help ratepayers afford wastewater (including stormwater) services, excluding loans with 0% interest rates from counting toward subsidy calculations. The policy directly affects communities served by publicly owned treatment works, particularly in underserved rural and tribal areas, by mandating minimum subsidy levels from state water funds.

Maddy summaryHR 7263, the Safe Intersections for Buses and Pedestrians Act, requires new motorcoaches (buses) sold in the U.S. to have a minimally obstructed forward view for drivers. The bill mandates the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish safety standards within one year of enactment, ensuring drivers can clearly see ahead without obstructions. Manufacturers may use camera systems meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 101 as an alternative to physical visibility improvements. This directly affects new bus manufacturers and NHTSA, aiming to improve driver visibility and safety for bus passengers and pedestrians.

Maddy summaryHR 7191, the Fatigued Pilot Protection Act, requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update regulations within 180 days of enactment. It mandates that existing flight and duty limitations and rest rules (currently under FAA regulations at 14 CFR Part 117) apply universally to all airline pilots and operators conducting scheduled passenger flights (under FAA regulations at 14 CFR Part 121). This ensures consistent rest requirements for flightcrew members across all airlines operating under Part 121, directly affecting pilots and airlines. The bill does not create new rules but extends the applicability of current rest standards to all relevant airline operations.

Maddy summaryHR 4105, the VET Act of 2025, establishes a federal grant program to help veterans, active-duty service members transitioning out of the military, and their spouses secure jobs in the energy industry. The program provides grants to energy companies (including manufacturers of solar, wind, or nuclear equipment) to cover costs like job training, recruitment, and relocation for eligible individuals - prioritizing those with military energy experience, in opportunity zones, or facing barriers like homelessness. Grants are capped at $10,000 per hire, with a maximum $500,000 annual limit per company, funded at $60 million yearly from 2026-2031. Companies must report on job retention, employee satisfaction, and program outcomes to the Department of Labor, with a final evaluation due to Congress by 2030.

Maddy summaryHR 7137, the Shutdown Fairness Act, requires federal agencies to pay covered employees (including most federal workers and military personnel) and covered contractors their regular pay during government shutdowns. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover standard employee compensation and contractor payments for work performed during a lapse in regular appropriations, ensuring pay continues without delay (within 7 days if a shutdown is ongoing at enactment) and aligns with regular pay schedules. The bill applies only to individuals employed or with accepted offers before the shutdown began and mandates that these payments be charged to future appropriations. It does not change agency obligations under existing contracts or authorize new spending beyond the specified shutdown period.

Maddy summaryHR 7145 defines "essential health systems" as hospitals serving large numbers of Medicaid and low-income patients, specifically targeting non-Federal, nonprofit, or government-run hospitals that meet one of three criteria for at least two of the past three years (e.g., high Medicaid patient percentage, high uncompensated care, or top 16th percentile in state rankings for low-income care). The bill requires MACPAC to annually publish an "essential health system index" ranking qualifying hospitals nationally, by state, and within local areas, using data from Medicare reporting. Hospitals designated as essential health systems receive a five-year designation, renewable if they maintain eligibility. This framework aims to identify facilities providing critical community care for vulnerable populations through standardized metrics.

Maddy summaryThe Find It Early Act requires most health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and VA benefits to cover certain breast cancer screenings without cost-sharing for specific at-risk groups. It affects individuals at increased breast cancer risk (as determined by medical guidelines), those with dense breast tissue (as defined by the American College of Radiology), and others requiring screening due to factors like age, race, ethnicity, or family history. The bill mandates coverage for various screening methods including mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI, and other technologies at frequencies recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. This requirement takes effect for plan years beginning January 1, 2026, removing financial barriers to early detection.