Rep. Jennifer A. Kiggans

Maddy summaryHR 5688, the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act, changes rules for issuing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to people who don't live in the state where the license is issued. It allows states to issue CDLs to foreign nationals with lawful U.S. immigration status and work-related visas (valid for up to one year or until their stay ends), requiring states to verify status before issuing and keep records for two years. For residents of U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, it requires proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency before issuing CDLs, with similar verification and record-keeping rules. The bill directly affects commercial drivers from foreign countries and U.S. territories seeking CDLs in states where they are not residents.

Maddy summaryThe MAWS Act of 2026 establishes a 3-year pilot program (2027-2029) to purchase invasive blue catfish from watermen and seafood processors within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. It authorizes $2 million annually to fund covered entities - manufacturers of pet food, animal feed, or aquaculture feed - to buy blue catfish caught in the watershed, requiring certification of origin and setting minimum prices based on market factors. The program mandates detailed reporting on environmental impacts, economic effects on watermen, and market responses to inform future policy. This directly supports watermen and processors by creating a market for invasive blue catfish while collecting data for potential expansion to other watersheds.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a dedicated Transportation Security Trust Fund to ensure money collected from airline passenger security fees is used exclusively for aviation security purposes. The fund would support the Transportation Security Administration by paying salaries and benefits for its personnel, funding passenger and baggage screening operations, and purchasing security technology and infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation guarantees that aviation security operations can continue without interruption during government funding lapses, prioritizing frontline staff compensation and operational expenses before using remaining funds for technology upgrades.

Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 This bill imposes sanctions on certain foreign persons (individuals and entities) that are involved in Iran's petroleum sector as well as certain associated persons. The bill also requires or authorizes actions to facilitate the enforcement of sanctions on Iran. Specifically, the bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person that, after the bill's enactment, knowingly engages in any transaction related to the processing, export, or sale of oil, condensates, gas, liquefied natural gas, or other petrochemical products in whole or in part from Iran. The President must also impose sanctions on certain foreign persons associated with a sanctioned individual or entity. For example, the President must sanction the subsidiaries and corporate officers of a sanctioned business. The bill provides certain exceptions to these sanctions, including specifying that sanctions do not apply to the importation of goods or to conducting or facilitating transactions for humanitarian assistance. The Department of State must establish an interagency working group that shall seek to establish a multilateral contact group to coordinate international efforts to enforce sanctions on Iran. The bill expands the State Department rewards program to authorize a reward payment to any individual who furnishes information leading to the identification of a person (1) subject to sanctions under this bill, or (2) that has attempted or is attempting to evade sanctions under this bill.

Maddy summaryHRES 1114 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 114th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America (founded March 12, 1912). It formally celebrates the organization’s mission of building girls’ courage, confidence, and character through programs focused on leadership, STEM, community service, and inclusive spaces. The resolution specifically honors Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award in 2025 and encourages continued support for their work in developing future women leaders. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but serves as a symbolic expression of congressional appreciation for the Girl Scouts’ community impact.

Maddy summaryHR 7932, the HONOR Gold Star Families Act, increases the death gratuity paid to families of service members who died in the line of duty. It raises the current $100,000 payment to $200,000 for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2026. The bill also adds an annual cost-of-living adjustment to this amount, increasing it each January 1 based on the previous year’s inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index. This directly affects Gold Star Families - those who have lost a service member in military service - by providing a larger initial payment and ensuring future payments keep pace with inflation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the 20-Year Promise Act, would extend educational assistance benefits for U.S. military service members who complete at least 20 years of active service. Under current law, veterans typically receive up to 36 months of education funding, but this legislation would increase that limit to 72 months for those who meet the 20-year service requirement. The change applies to individuals who complete their 20 years of service on or after the bill is enacted, regardless of when they joined the military or their specific duty status. The bill modifies Title 38 of the U.S. Code to establish these new eligibility rules and adjust related provisions governing how education benefits are transferred and limited.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the DROUGHT Act of 2026, increases the maximum federal funding level for certain water infrastructure projects from the standard cap to 90 percent of project costs. It directly affects states and counties experiencing severe drought conditions, as well as projects serving low-income communities or those designated as regionally or nationally significant. The legislation defines covered projects as those located in areas with severe drought designations or declared drought emergencies, those serving low-income populations, or those that improve water supply, reuse, or reduce water usage. The bill requires federal officials to prioritize financing for these specific projects under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, would create a new tax credit for individuals who purchase hearing aids. It directly affects taxpayers who buy qualified hearing aids and want to reduce their income tax liability. The credit would provide up to $1,000 per year for hearing aid purchases that are not covered by insurance, with income limits set at $300,000 for joint filers and $150,000 for other individuals. The bill also includes a provision preventing taxpayers from claiming this credit more than once every five years and ensures they cannot receive both a deduction and credit for the same expense. These changes would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a program focused on researching how environmental factors, such as air pollution, chemicals, and heavy metals, may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The legislation would establish collaborative research centers at universities and medical institutions to study these environmental links, train scientists, and share findings with the public and healthcare professionals. The program includes provisions for creating a national data system and information clearinghouse to track disease patterns and environmental exposures across different communities. Funding of up to $50 million annually through 2031 is authorized to support these research efforts, with biennial reports required to Congress on progress and outcomes.