Rep. August Pfluger

Maddy summaryHR 1551, the Protect and Serve Act of 2025, creates a new federal criminal offense for intentionally harming law enforcement officers under specific circumstances. It imposes harsher penalties, including up to 10 years in prison for serious injury or life imprisonment if death occurs, kidnapping is involved, or a firearm is used. The law applies when the crime crosses state lines, involves interstate weapons, occurs on federal property, or targets federal officers. Prosecutions require the Attorney General’s written certification, considering factors like prior state convictions and public safety impact. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers and federal prosecutors by expanding federal jurisdiction for certain violent crimes against them.

Maddy summaryHR 1575, the "No American Land for Communist China Act," prohibits the People's Republic of China government and businesses with 25% or more Chinese government ownership from purchasing real estate adjacent to specific federal lands. The bill directly affects Chinese government agents and Chinese-affiliated businesses seeking to buy property near lands managed by the Departments of Interior, Defense, Agriculture (Forest Service), and Energy, as well as Indian country. Key provisions require the President to take necessary actions to block such purchases, defining "covered Federal lands" broadly to include national parks, military bases, and tribal lands. The law aims to prevent foreign government influence over land near sensitive U.S. properties through a clear purchase restriction.

Maddy summaryHR 1579, the Broadband Buildout Accountability Act, would exempt the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. This means federal agencies administering the program - funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - would not have to disclose documents like grant applications or project details to the public through FOIA. The bill amends Section 60102(o)(2) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to add this exemption. It directly affects transparency around federal broadband funding by limiting public access to program-related information.

Maddy summaryThe American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act amends the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act to increase funding for victims of terrorism. It directs the transfer of approximately $1.5 billion from the Binance Holdings Limited case, plus 50% of excess unobligated balances from Department of Justice and Treasury forfeiture funds, into the Victims Fund. The bill establishes deadlines for agencies to deposit funds (within 30 days of receipt or 15 days after enactment), requires annual reports on fund activity, and authorizes annual payments to eligible claimants starting in 2026. This legislation directly affects terrorism victims who receive compensation from the fund and federal agencies that handle forfeited assets from terrorism-related cases.

Maddy summaryHR 1494, the Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act, requires online marketplaces (like Amazon or eBay) to collect the federal excise tax on sporting goods sold through their platforms, rather than leaving this responsibility to individual sellers. It specifically targets platforms that host third-party seller listings and facilitate transactions for goods imported from outside the U.S. The bill treats these marketplaces as the "importer" for tax purposes, making them liable for the tax on qualifying sporting goods sales. This change applies to sales after a 60-day grace period following the bill's enactment, with no impact on taxes already owed by other parties.

Maddy summaryHR 1502 authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the volunteers and communities (primarily from Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas) who supported the North Platte Canteen during World War II. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike the medal, which will be presented to the individuals who contributed to the canteen’s operations and then permanently displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska. It also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This is a commemorative measure recognizing historical service, not a policy change affecting current laws or programs.

Maddy summaryHR 1495, the Digital Economy Cybersecurity Advisory Act of 2025, establishes a new advisory board within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to provide recommendations on cybersecurity policies. The board, made up of 5-25 members with cybersecurity or supply chain expertise from government, private industry, and network operators, will advise the NTIA on securing internet networks while promoting economic growth and innovation. Key areas of focus include best practices for critical internet protocols like Border Gateway Protocol, secure supply chains, and removing barriers to trust and commercialization in digital networks. The board will operate for four years, with members serving without pay and reporting exclusively to the NTIA.

Maddy summaryHR 1492 amends the Social Security Act to extend the negotiation period for standard drug manufacturers under the federal drug pricing program. Specifically, it changes the timeframe from 7 years to 11 years for small-molecule drugs (like traditional pills) to negotiate prices with the government, aligning it with the existing 12-year period for complex biologic drugs (like insulin or monoclonal antibodies). This adjustment directly affects pharmaceutical companies that produce small-molecule drugs, giving them a longer window to negotiate pricing terms. The bill makes this change effective as if it had been part of the 2022 law that established the program.

Maddy summaryHR 1463 prohibits the use of federal funds to implement, administer, or enforce a specific FDA rule about medical devices known as "laboratory developed tests" (LDTs), published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 37286). The bill directly affects the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), preventing it from using taxpayer money to carry out this regulation. Its key mechanism is a straightforward funding ban on the specified rule and any substantially similar future rule. This is a procedural restriction focused solely on blocking financial support for the FDA's LDT regulatory approach.

Maddy summaryHR 534, the CONTAINER Act, allows Border States (adjacent to the U.S. northern or southern borders) to place temporary barriers on federal land without needing a special use permit, provided they notify the relevant federal agency 45 days in advance. The bill directly affects Border States and federal land management agencies (like the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service) by streamlining the process for deploying short-term border security structures. Key provisions include a one-year initial placement period for these barriers, with potential 90-day extensions if U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines operational control hasn't been achieved. This eliminates a bureaucratic hurdle for states seeking rapid border security measures.