Rep. Monica De La Cruz

Maddy summaryThe No New Burma Funds Act (HR 4423) extends the existing pause on World Bank payments and new financial commitments to Burma's government. This pause, initiated after the 2021 military coup that overthrew Burma's democratically elected government, prevents the Burmese government from accessing new international funding. The bill directs the U.S. Treasury Secretary to instruct the U.S. representative at the World Bank to maintain this pause unless they determine it is not in the public interest. The bill directly affects Burma's government by restricting its access to World Bank financial support.

Maddy summaryHR 3806, the New World Screwworm Preparedness Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a study on the nation's readiness to prevent and respond to New World screwworm (NWS) infestations. The study must assess current threats, sterile insect production capabilities, surveillance systems, emergency response plans, research needs, and international cooperation, with input from livestock producers, wildlife agencies, and scientists. The Secretary of Agriculture must submit a report to Congress within six months detailing findings and recommendations for improving preparedness. This bill directly affects agricultural stakeholders and wildlife management by mandating a review of existing capabilities, not by changing current policy.

Maddy summaryThe HUD Transparency Act of 2025 requires the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to testify annually before specific congressional committees. Each October 1, the IG must report on six key areas: fraud prevention efforts, audit capabilities, program improvements, efficiency recommendations, resource sufficiency for HUD’s mission, and ongoing oversight activities. This bill directly affects HUD’s Inspector General and Congress, mandating structured, annual accountability reporting. It creates a concrete mechanism for Congress to monitor HUD’s oversight effectiveness without altering HUD’s programs or funding. The law focuses on transparency in existing oversight processes, not new policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients by tying the payment rate to standard veterans' compensation. It amends law to set the pension equal to the monthly rate for veterans without dependents (under 38 U.S.C. §1114(m)), adjusted to the next intermediate rate. The change automatically updates annually based on changes to the standard rate, with a cap preventing multiple increases in a single year. It directly affects all living Medal of Honor recipients currently receiving the $1,406.73 monthly pension. The law took effect December 1, 2025, after passing both chambers earlier that year.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows workers aged 50 or older to directly roll over employer retirement contributions (from 401(k) plans) into an individual retirement annuity without triggering immediate taxes or penalties. It requires retirement plan administrators to provide clear, plain-language written explanations about rollover rules, including a 30-day review period, tax implications (like the 10% early withdrawal penalty), and what types of distributions cannot be rolled over (such as required minimum distributions). The rules apply to taxable years starting after December 31, 2025, and aim to simplify the process for older workers changing jobs or managing retirement funds. It directly affects workers aged 50+ and retirement plan administrators who must comply with the new disclosure standards.

Maddy summaryHR 6293, the Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, updates federal definitions to include manufactured homes built without a permanent chassis under the same regulatory framework as traditional manufactured homes. It requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish new labeling standards (including distinct data plates and invoice notations) for these homes and mandates that states certify they treat them equally to homes on permanent chassis in areas like financing, installation, and sales. States must submit initial certification within one year (or two years for biennial legislatures) and annual recertifications to confirm compliance, with non-compliant states prohibited from allowing the sale or installation of these homes. The bill directly affects manufacturers, state regulators, and homebuyers purchasing manufactured homes without permanent chassis, ensuring consistent federal and state treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award two gold medals in honor of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, who was tragically killed in 2025. One medal will go to his family, and the other will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution to preserve his legacy. The bill does not create new policy or affect any laws - it is purely commemorative, following standard procedures for Congressional Gold Medals. It includes provisions for striking the medals and selling bronze duplicates to cover costs, but contains no substantive legislative changes.

Maddy summaryHR 3965, the PEARL Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to establish a 3-year pilot program adopting dogs from local animal shelters to train as support dogs for CBP’s existing Support Canine Program. The program must begin within 60 days of the bill’s enactment and will terminate three years after its start date. This bill directly affects CBP by creating a new mechanism to source and train support dogs from animal shelters, rather than purchasing or acquiring them through other means. The legislation focuses solely on implementing this specific pilot program with no additional policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 6132, the Housing Affordability Act, updates inflation-adjusted dollar limits for multifamily housing loans under the National Housing Act. It increases specific loan caps (e.g., raising the maximum for certain units from $38,025 to $167,310) using the Bureau of the Census' Price Deflator Index for multifamily construction, with adjustments calculated annually based on March-to-March data. These changes directly affect lenders and borrowers participating in federally backed multifamily housing programs by setting new maximum loan amounts. The bill makes technical adjustments to existing limits without creating new programs or altering eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHR 6161, the SEC Data Protection Act, requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to establish policies protecting sensitive nonpublic data provided by investment advisers. The bill mandates that within one year of enactment, the SEC create rules addressing when it requests such data, safeguarding it based on sensitivity, restricting access to authorized staff, and preventing unauthorized use or disclosure. These policies must be developed through a notice-and-comment rulemaking process. The law directly affects investment advisers who share proprietary information with the SEC, ensuring their data is handled securely under new federal standards.