Rep. John Garamendi

Maddy summaryThe DISCLOSE Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency in election spending and prevent foreign influence. It expands the ban on foreign money to cover federal, state, and local elections, including ballot initiatives and judicial nominations, and criminalizes using corporations to conceal these funds. The bill mandates that organizations spending over $10,000 on campaign-related activities, such as independent expenditures or judicial nomination advocacy, disclose their beneficial owners and top donors. Additionally, it establishes new "Stand By Every Ad" disclaimers for political communications, requiring the highest-ranking official to approve the message and, for certain ads, list their top funders. These provisions directly affect non-candidate organizations, individuals involved in political and judicial nomination spending, and foreign nationals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes and funds four federal grant programs to support passenger ferry services across the United States from 2027 through 2031. It authorizes funding for building and upgrading ferry boats and terminals, expanding urban ferry grants, creating a modernization program for ferry fleets and shipyards, and supporting essential ferry service in rural areas. The legislation allocates hundreds of millions of dollars in total funding, with specific amounts designated for each program and fiscal year, and requires that a significant portion of rural ferry funds go to services connecting multiple rural communities.

Maddy summaryThe Railway Safety Act of 2026 establishes new safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials, including speed limits, enhanced reporting, and stricter tank car standards. It mandates that high-hazard trains carrying flammable liquids or toxic materials be limited to 40 mph in urban areas, while requiring railroads to provide real-time information to emergency responders. The bill also increases penalties for safety violations, requires more frequent inspections of rail equipment, and creates a new emergency response assistance program to help communities affected by hazardous materials incidents. Additionally, it authorizes funding for research into safer tank cars and defect detection systems, and requires the Federal Railroad Administration to improve its safety workforce management.

Maddy summaryHR 7740, the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes $4 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and support teaching about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create digital and print materials, provide teacher training, and expand access to curriculum resources for K-12 and college classrooms. It requires annual reports to Congress on fund usage and expires in 2030. This program directly affects educators and students by enhancing classroom materials and professional development on African American history.

Maddy summaryHRES 1080 is a symbolic resolution recognizing and celebrating Black History Month 2026, focusing on its theme "A Century of Black History Commemorations." It highlights historical figures and events central to Black history, including Carter G. Woodson’s founding of Negro History Week (the precursor to Black History Month), Juneteenth, and key moments like the 1865 Charleston commemoration. The resolution emphasizes how Black history commemorations counter historical erasure and affirm Black contributions to U.S. history, referencing figures like Mary McLeod Bethune and W.E.B. Du Bois. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding effect but aims to raise awareness of Black achievements through official recognition.

Maddy summaryThe Ceasefire Compliance Act of 2026 establishes requirements for Israel to comply with the October 10, 2025, ceasefire agreement, including allowing sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza, halting military operations in Gaza, preventing settler violence, and supporting Palestinian governance. The bill requires the US government to submit quarterly reports certifying Israel's compliance with these conditions, with potential restrictions on US defense sales to Israel if violations occur. If Israel fails to meet the requirements, the US would prohibit the sale, export, or transfer of US-origin defense articles for use in the West Bank or Gaza. The bill also creates an end-use monitoring group to track if US defense articles are being used in those areas, with a 5-year sunset provision. This legislation directly affects US-Israel defense relations and the flow of military assistance.

Maddy summaryHR 7625, the MTS CYBER Act of 2026, mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review to assess the U.S. Coast Guard's budget and staffing needs for fulfilling its role as a Sector Risk Management Agency (SRMA) for maritime cybersecurity. The bill requires the GAO to evaluate Coast Guard funding for cybersecurity personnel, training, and enforcement; staff capabilities to monitor industry compliance; and guidance provided to maritime businesses against industry best practices. This review, due within 270 days of the bill’s enactment, aims to determine if current resources allow the Coast Guard to effectively protect the marine transportation system (MTS) - which includes ports, vessels, and waterways supporting $2.1 trillion in economic activity - from cyber threats. The findings will be submitted to relevant congressional committees to inform future funding decisions for the Coast Guard’s cybersecurity responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThe Head Start for America's Children Act amends the Head Start Act to enhance early childhood education services for low-income children, with specific provisions to improve culturally responsive programming for Native American and Native Hawaiian communities. It increases funding for Head Start programs, including $91.575 million for transportation, $37.5 million for workforce development, and $863 million for extended operations to provide full calendar year services. The bill updates definitions throughout the law to use more inclusive language, replacing "limited English proficient" with "children who are developing English proficiency," and establishes new requirements for staff compensation and benefits to improve recruitment and retention. Native American Head Start programs and migrant/seasonal programs are exempt from certain requirements, such as the full calendar year service requirement.

Maddy summaryHR 7599 creates a federal framework for extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), allowing family members or law enforcement to petition courts to temporarily prohibit individuals from possessing firearms when they pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. The bill establishes a process for issuing ex parte orders (up to 14 days) followed by a hearing within 72 hours to determine if a longer-term order (up to 180 days) should be issued, requiring respondents to surrender firearms to U.S. Marshals or designated law enforcement. Courts must consider specific factors like recent threats, violence, substance abuse, or cruelty to animals before issuing orders, with no fees for petitioners. The law requires law enforcement training to address bias, includes annual reporting requirements, and ensures firearms are returned once the order expires and the individual is eligible to own firearms under federal law.

Maddy summaryThe Safe Skies Act of 2026 requires the Transportation Secretary to extend existing flightcrew rest and duty rules - currently applied to passenger flights - to all-cargo air carrier operations within 30 days of the bill's enactment. This directly affects flight crews and cargo airlines, ensuring they follow the same rest and duty time limits as those serving passengers. The bill modifies a 2012 FAA rule (77 Fed. Reg. 330) to apply universally, bypassing standard rulemaking procedures (5 U.S.C. § 553) for this specific adjustment. It makes no new policy changes beyond applying current passenger flight rules to cargo operations.