Rep. Robert B. Aderholt

Maddy summary# Summary of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 This is a comprehensive federal appropriations bill that allocates funding for multiple government agencies, with significant restrictions on how those funds may be used. The bill is structured into four main titles: ## Key Components 1. **Title I: Health and Human Services Appropriations** - Contains detailed funding allocations for: - Public health programs - Social Security Administration - Medicaid and CHIP programs - Various health research and services - Specific restrictions on abortion funding (sections 506-508) 2. **Title II: Department of Education Appropriations** - Funds for: - Higher education programs - K-12 education initiatives - Career and technical education - Student financial assistance - Prohibitions on certain gender-related policies (section 312) 3. **Title III: Related Agencies** - Includes funding for: - Corporation for National and Community Service ("America First Corps") - Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled - Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service - Various other independent agencies 4. **Title IV: General Provisions** - Contains numerous restrictions on fund usage, including: ## Notable Restrictions and Prohibitions - **Abortion restrictions** (sections 506-508): Prohibits funding for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment - **Research restrictions** (section 508): Bans funding for human embryo research - **Prohibitions on Critical Race Theory** (section 534): Bans funding for programs promoting Critical Race Theory - **Restrictions on diversity initiatives** (section 535): Prohibits funding for programs teaching concepts related to systemic racism - **Executive order prohibitions** (sections 532-533): Prohibits implementation of various climate-related executive orders - **Restrictions on transgender policies** (section 311): Prohibits funds for educational institutions allowing males to participate in women's athletic programs - **Restrictions on certain international collaborations** (sections 537, 540): Prohibits funding for certain Chinese research institutions - **Prohibitions on certain technology procurement** (section 541): Bans purchasing from companies with Chinese ownership stakes The bill also includes: - Rescission of $12.8 billion from the Child Enrollment Contingency Fund (section 528) - Rescission of $183 million from various American Rescue Plan Act funds (section 529) - Specific requirements for reporting on fund usage and contract awards - Restrictions on flag display at federal facilities (section 531) This appropriations bill represents a highly restrictive approach to federal funding, with numerous specific limitations on how money can be spent across multiple government agencies.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 118 is a symbolic resolution proposing that September 12, 2025, be designated as "The Day of the Bible" in the U.S. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups. The resolution asks Congress to express support for the designation and encourages schools, civic groups, and communities to hold educational activities about the Bible's historical role. It also requires the President to issue an annual proclamation for this day, recognizing the 1782 approval of the Aitken Bible as a milestone in American history. The bill is purely ceremonial with no legal obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines defense cooperation between the U.S., Australia, and the United Kingdom under the AUKUS security pact. It removes bureaucratic barriers by allowing direct reexports of U.S. defense articles between these governments without presidential consent, and eliminates certification requirements for commercial technical assistance agreements with Australia or the UK. Key provisions include exempting authorized transfers (including intra-governmental and entity-level movements) from certain export controls and Foreign Assistance Act rules. The changes specifically target defense-related items and services shared among the three nations, reducing administrative hurdles for military collaboration. This affects U.S. defense exports, Australian and UK government entities, and authorized defense contractors involved in AUKUS partnerships.

Maddy summaryHR 4964, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, requires physicians performing abortions on minors traveling across state lines to provide 24 hours of actual or constructive notice to the minor's parent before the procedure. It directly affects minors (under 18) seeking abortions in a state different from their residence, their parents, and healthcare providers. Key provisions mandate parental notification unless exceptions apply - such as medical emergencies, court waivers, verified abuse disclosures, or the minor being accompanied by a documented parent. The law aims to ensure compliance with parental involvement requirements in the minor’s home state, with penalties for noncompliance including fines or imprisonment for physicians.

Maddy summaryHR 3613, the Streamlining Foreign Military Sales Act of 2025, amends the Arms Export Control Act by raising multiple financial thresholds for foreign military sales. It increases specific dollar limits, such as raising the threshold for certain sales from $250,000 to $500,000 (Section 36(a)(10)), and from $7 million to $30 million (Section 25(a)(1)). These changes affect defense contractors and U.S. government agencies processing foreign military sales under the Arms Export Control Act. The bill directly modifies existing financial caps without creating new programs or altering substantive approval processes.

Maddy summaryThe Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2025 protects U.S. property interests in Western Hemisphere countries with U.S. free trade agreements. It requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to identify and list ports, harbors, or marine terminals where a foreign government has nationalized, expropriated, or seized U.S.-owned land (since January 2024) through actions like contract repudiation or forced control. Once listed, the President must prohibit vessels using these sites from importing goods, docking passenger vessels, or conducting maintenance in the United States. This directly affects U.S. persons (citizens or businesses) with property in designated locations.

Maddy summaryHR 4481, the ARMS Act, modifies the Special Defense Acquisition Fund (SDAF) under the Arms Export Control Act to streamline foreign defense sales. It removes specific language requiring "sales made under" and "actual value" from the fund's authorization, allowing faster processing of defense articles for allied nations. This directly affects defense contractors and U.S. government agencies handling Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), aiming to reduce delivery delays. The bill seeks to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base by improving the efficiency of selling defense products internationally, where global demand currently exceeds domestic spending by a two-to-one ratio.

Maddy summaryHR 4474, the Equal Shot Act of 2025, prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from denying financial assistance - such as loans or guarantees - to firearm businesses solely because of their industry. It directly affects firearm manufacturers, distributors, trade associations, and affiliated entities like shooting ranges or training providers. The bill requires the SBA to treat these applicants equally under existing law, removing any policy that would block them based on their connection to firearms. This is a concrete policy change ensuring firearm-related businesses have the same access to SBA programs as other eligible applicants.

Maddy summaryHR 4382 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics/Paralympics and 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics/Paralympics. It specifies gold, silver, and half-dollar coin designs with defined mintage limits (e.g., up to 100,000 $5 gold coins for each event), all bearing inscriptions like "2028" or "2034" and standard coin features. A surcharge ($5-$50 per coin) is added to sales, with all funds directed to the respective Olympic committees to support event hosting and legacy programs like youth sports. The bill ensures no net cost to the government by requiring surcharge revenues to cover all design, production, and marketing expenses before funds are disbursed.

Maddy summaryHR 4370, the SAMS Act of 2025, codifies five existing executive orders into law to strengthen U.S. mineral supply chains. It gives legal force to orders focused on securing critical minerals (like lithium and rare earths) for national security and economic resilience, directly affecting federal agencies implementing these strategies. Key provisions require agencies to follow these established policies - addressing reliance on foreign mineral sources, supporting domestic mining, and prioritizing national security in mineral processing - without creating new regulations. The bill does not alter current mineral policies but formally enshrines them as binding federal requirements.