Rep. Suhas Subramanyam

Maddy summaryThe SCAM Act requires online platforms that display paid advertisements (like social media sites) to verify advertiser identities, implement scam detection systems, and remove fraudulent ads within 24 hours of confirmation. It directly affects platforms that accept payment for ads, targeting scams such as fake giveaways, romance scams, and AI impersonations that cost consumers $195 billion in 2024 (per FTC data). Key mechanisms include mandatory identity checks for advertisers, active monitoring systems, and a 72-hour investigation window for reported scams. The law aims to reduce fraud by shifting responsibility to platforms, with enforcement by the FTC and state attorneys general.

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for various agencies and offices within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), except for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and management and oversight activities of the Office of the Secretary. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to DHS for  the Federal Protective Service, the Office of Inspector General, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, and the Science and Technology Directorate. The bill does not provide appropriations for some agencies and activities that have been funded in prior DHS appropriations acts, including ICE, CBP, and management and oversight activities of the Office of the Secretary.

Maddy summaryHR 7507, the Fiscal Harms of Federal Firings Act, mandates the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study how federal workforce reductions (RIFs) impact state and local government budgets. The study will examine increased costs for services like unemployment insurance and Medicaid, reduced tax revenues, regional economic shifts, and varying fiscal challenges across states. It requires the GAO to consult with state officials, economists, and federal agencies, then submit a public report to Congress within 18 months detailing findings, historical case studies, and policy options. This bill does not change federal policy but aims to provide data for future decisions about RIFs' fiscal effects.

Maddy summaryHR 7516, the "No Funds for Forced Labor Act," requires the U.S. Treasury to direct American representatives at international financial institutions (like the World Bank) to oppose loans for projects that use or risk using forced labor, particularly those involving state-run entities in Xinjiang. It mandates these institutions to vet projects for forced labor risks, explain their vetting process, and detail mitigation steps before funding. The bill directly affects international financial institutions and the projects they fund, especially those linked to Xinjiang. It does not ban all loans but targets projects with documented forced labor concerns, requiring annual reports to Congress on implementation. The law focuses on policy changes to prevent U.S.-aligned financial support for forced labor practices.

Maddy summaryHR 7480, the FAIR Act, sets pay adjustments for federal employees in 2027. It increases base pay by 3.1% for most federal workers under standard pay systems and for employees paid according to local civilian wages in high-cost areas. Additionally, it raises locality pay adjustments by 1% for 2027. The bill directly affects all federal employees covered by these pay systems through concrete, formula-based adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis federal bill (HR 7467) adds civil remedies for victims of specific federal crimes, primarily sexual abuse (18 U.S.C. §§ 2241-2243) and sex trafficking-related transportation crimes (18 U.S.C. §§ 2421-2423). It allows victims to sue perpetrators for damages and legal costs in federal court, with key changes to time limits: most cases must be filed within 10 years of the offense or until the victim turns 18 (if a minor), but no time limit applies to cases involving the specified sections. Civil lawsuits must pause during related criminal trials. The bill directly affects victims of these crimes, particularly minors, by expanding legal options for seeking compensation.

Maddy summaryThe PART Act requires new vehicles to have catalytic converters marked with a unique identification number that links directly to the vehicle's identification number, stored in a law enforcement-accessible database. It establishes a $7 million grant program to help repair shops, dealers, law enforcement, and fleet owners purchase equipment for marking converters with visible, durable identifiers (using die or pin stamping and high-visibility paint). The bill also mandates that businesses buying catalytic converters keep detailed seller records (including vehicle information) for two years and use traceable payments, banning cash or cryptocurrency transactions. Additionally, it creates new federal criminal penalties for stealing or trafficking in catalytic converters, with potential sentences of up to five years in prison.

Maddy summaryThe REPAIR Act requires motor vehicle manufacturers to provide car owners and independent repair shops with full access to vehicle data and repair information, prohibiting technological or legal barriers that restrict this access. It mandates that manufacturers share vehicle-generated data, critical repair information, and tools on equal terms with dealers and authorized service providers, without requiring consumers to use specific brands of parts or tools. The law establishes an advisory committee to monitor implementation and ensure fair competition in vehicle repair, while giving the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce these requirements as unfair or deceptive practices. This legislation directly affects car owners, independent repair facilities, aftermarket parts manufacturers, and motor vehicle manufacturers by shifting control of repair information and data from manufacturers to consumers.

Maddy summaryHRES 1035 is a non-binding House resolution condemning recent and proposed workforce reductions at FEMA, which the resolution states endanger the agency's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. It specifically cites a 35% staffing shortage at FEMA (per GAO) and notes that over 2,000 permanent staff left FEMA in 2025, weakening disaster response during events like Hurricanes Helene and California wildfires. The resolution expresses concern that staffing cuts would delay aid, reduce assistance to vulnerable communities (including rural, coastal, and wildfire-prone areas), and undermine counterterrorism programs supporting first responders. It calls for a stable, adequately resourced FEMA workforce to ensure effective disaster management, without proposing new legislation or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 authorizes $20 billion annually from 2027 to 2031 to improve public school facilities nationwide. The bill provides grants to states to fund school construction, renovation, and modernization projects that focus on safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility, with priority given to schools serving high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Funds cannot be used for routine maintenance, athletic facilities, or vehicles, and must meet specific environmental, safety, and energy efficiency standards. The bill also includes specific provisions for repairing school foundations affected by pyrrhotite, a mineral that causes concrete deterioration, and requires use of American-made materials for construction projects.