Rep. Keith Self

Maddy summaryHR 7184, the PRESS Act, targets equipment used to manufacture illegal drugs by making it unlawful to sell specific items like tableting machines, gelatin capsules, or related chemicals when the seller knows the equipment will be used to produce controlled substances for unlawful U.S. importation. It directly affects manufacturers and distributors of these drug-making tools who have knowledge or reasonable cause to believe their products will facilitate illegal drug trafficking. The bill adds new prohibitions to the Controlled Substances Act and increases potential prison sentences for violations, with penalties reaching up to 20 years for major offenses involving large quantities of equipment or chemicals. These changes aim to disrupt the supply chain for illicit synthetic drugs by holding equipment sellers accountable for their intended use.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Permanent Trump Secure Border Act, aims to strengthen border security and reform immigration enforcement by directing the Department of Homeland Security to resume and complete the construction of a physical border wall, expand the use of surveillance technology, and increase staffing levels for Border Patrol agents. It also imposes stricter rules on asylum eligibility and employment authorization for applicants, mandates the reopening of specific immigration detention facilities, and requires the return of individuals arriving from contiguous foreign countries to those nations while their claims are processed. Additionally, the legislation expands penalties for visa overstays, limits the use of certain digital tools like the CBP One app, and includes provisions to reduce funding for organizations that facilitate illegal entry or provide services to inadmissible aliens.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for any program, activity, literature, or material provided to children under 18 that includes "sexually oriented material," defined as depictions of explicit conduct or content involving gender dysphoria or transgenderism. It exempts standard science courses (like biology and anatomy), religious texts, and specific "classic" works of literature and art listed in designated references (e.g., *Great Books of the Western World* and Smarthistory guides). The law directly affects federally funded K-12 educational programs, restricting how school districts can use federal dollars for curriculum materials. It does not ban teaching about human anatomy, art history, or literature, as those are explicitly excluded from the definition of prohibited material.

Maddy summaryThe Preserving Our Constitution Act of 2026 prohibits federal courts and government agencies from recognizing or enforcing foreign laws, religious codes, or customs that conflict with the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, it bars the application of rules that discriminate based on race, religion, or gender; restrict freedom of speech or religion; permit forced or underage marriages; or allow cruel punishments and human sacrifice. The bill also prevents U.S. courts from enforcing contracts that choose to apply such incompatible foreign laws or from honoring judgments made by foreign tribunals using those laws. While the legislation establishes these strict prohibitions, it does not create a new private right for individuals to sue for damages if the rules are violated.

Maddy summaryHR 4398, the Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act, requires Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians or nurse practitioners to certify the death of a veteran who dies of natural causes within 48 hours of learning of the death. This directly affects veterans' families, who previously faced delays of up to eight weeks in burial and access to survivor benefits due to slow death certifications. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress on VA compliance with the 48-hour rule, including statistics on delays and their causes. The key change is establishing a strict timeline for death certification to prevent unnecessary delays in honoring veterans' final arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to repeal the Seventeenth Amendment, which currently mandates the direct election of U.S. Senators by the public. If ratified by conventions in three-fourths of the states, the change would restore the original system where state legislatures select Senators. The proposal includes a provision to protect the terms of any Senators currently serving, ensuring their positions remain unaffected by the transition. This measure directly impacts the method of choosing Senators and would alter the balance of power between the federal government and state legislatures.

Maddy summaryThe Compensation Fund Recrediting Act sets a specific end date for the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund, which provides financial compensation to Filipino veterans of World War II. Under this legislation, the fund will stop operating on January 1, 2027, and any remaining money in the fund will be transferred to the Treasury's general fund. This change affects the timeline for when veterans can receive payments and determines how leftover funds are handled after the program concludes.

Maddy summaryThe TDIU Reform Act of 2026 modifies how the Department of Veterans Affairs determines eligibility for total disability compensation based on a veteran's inability to work due to service-connected conditions. It establishes specific criteria where veterans with one disability rated at 60 percent or more, or multiple disabilities combining for 70 percent or more, automatically qualify for a total disability rating. The bill also clarifies that low-income or marginal employment does not disqualify a veteran from receiving these benefits and requires detailed reviews for those who do not meet the automatic thresholds. Additionally, the legislation sets an age limit, prohibiting the payment of this specific compensation to veterans who are 67 or older and who first received the benefit on or after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Eastern Frontier Defense Infrastructure Readiness Act directs the U.S. Department of Defense to assess how well NATO allies on the Eastern Frontier are upgrading their critical infrastructure to support military operations against Russian threats. This report will evaluate progress in areas such as transportation, energy, communications, and industrial capacity, while also checking if these nations are meeting their financial commitment to defense spending. Based on the findings, the act authorizes the Secretary of Defense to prioritize security assistance and funding for these specific countries to address identified gaps. Additionally, an independent review by the Comptroller General will verify the accuracy of the initial report and the effectiveness of the allies' spending plans.