Rep. Brian Babin

Maddy summaryHR 2644, the "Love Them Both Act of 2025," prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any regulations related to abortion or abortion-related services under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. This bill directly affects federal agencies responsible for workplace regulations, blocking them from creating rules about abortion coverage in employment contexts. The key mechanism is a specific restriction on regulatory actions, preventing agencies from developing policies on abortion-related services under the existing Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. It does not alter the core protections of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act but limits how its regulations can address abortion coverage.

Maddy summaryHR 2608 permanently removes seven specific species - including Arabian oryx, banteng, and Grevy’s zebra - from the federal endangered and threatened species lists under the Endangered Species Act. It also prohibits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the Bukharan markhor as threatened or endangered in the future. This change ends federal legal protections for these species under the Act. The bill applies only to the named species and the Bukharan markhor’s future status.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $500 non-refundable tax credit for homeowners who purchase emergency generators for their primary residence. It applies only to individuals whose homes were in areas affected by two or more federally declared major disasters (excluding public health emergencies) within the past five years, and who previously received individual disaster assistance. The credit phases out for higher-income households ($300,000 joint filer limit, $150,000 for others) and expires two years after the bill becomes law. The credit covers generator costs up to $500 per household, aiming to help disaster-prone communities prepare for power outages.

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 2514, the Trucker Bathroom Access Act, requires businesses like warehouses, distribution centers, and shipping facilities (but not small restaurants under 800 sq ft) to allow commercial truck drivers access to their restrooms when delivering goods or waiting to load cargo. It also mandates that port terminals provide sufficient restrooms for drayage truck operators (drivers of large trucks moving cargo at ports) in safe, accessible areas, including parking spots for vehicle access. The bill does not require businesses to make physical restroom changes and exempts locations where access would create health, safety, or security risks. It defines "covered drivers" as those operating commercial vehicles regulated by the Department of Transportation and "covered restrooms" as those safely accessible to drivers. This law directly affects truck drivers and the businesses they interact with during deliveries or port operations.

Maddy summaryThe Free Speech Fairness Act (HR 2501) would amend tax law to allow 501(c)(3) organizations, such as charities and educational nonprofits, to make political campaign statements as part of their regular activities without risking their tax-exempt status. The bill specifies that these statements must be made in the ordinary course of the organization's exempt purpose and result in only minimal additional costs. This change clarifies that routine political commentary by these groups does not violate their tax-exempt status under current rules. The provision would apply to tax years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHRES 262 establishes a House Select Committee focused solely on investigating Mexican drug cartels and their international networks, including U.S. and Mexican government efforts to address them. The committee has no legislative authority but may hold public hearings, conduct investigations, and issue policy recommendations by December 2025, with final reports due by December 2026. This procedural resolution affects only House committee structure and processes, not direct policy changes for the public or government agencies.

Maddy summaryThe SHORT Act (HR 2395) redefines federal firearm definitions to exclude antique and collector firearms from being classified as firearms, and removes distinctions between short-barreled rifles and shotguns in federal regulations. It prevents state laws from imposing taxes or registration requirements on short-barreled rifles and shotguns, requiring state rules to align with federal compliance instead. The bill also mandates the federal government to destroy specific records related to these firearms within one year of enactment.

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.

Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025 This bill eliminates the Optional Practical Training Program or any successor program, unless Congress expressly authorizes such a program. (The program provides an F-1 student visa holder temporary employment authorization before or after completion of the student's studies, or both.)