Rep. Mark Takano

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to officially reject a final rule issued by the Department of Education regarding federal student loan programs. If passed, the measure would prevent the new regulations from taking effect, leaving the previous rules in place. The bill directly impacts borrowers, lenders, and the Department of Education by nullifying the specific changes outlined in the "Reimagining and Improving Student Education" proposal. It is a procedural action that uses the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the agency's policy without altering the underlying law.

Maddy summaryThe Worker Rights and Support Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to require employers to provide specific break times for employees, directly affecting workers covered under federal wage and hour laws. Under the new rules, employees must receive at least a 30-minute meal break for every six hours worked, along with a 10-minute break or time to use a restroom for every four hours, and up to 20-minute breaks for medical needs. While meal breaks can be unpaid if the employee is fully relieved of work, any break where the employee remains on duty or cannot leave the site must be paid at a rate of at least one and a half times their regular wage. The bill also allows employees to voluntarily waive meal breaks but prohibits employers from forcing them to do so, and it ensures that existing collective bargaining agreements or state laws offering better protections remain in effect.

This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 2102) to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for concurrent receipt of veterans' disability compensation and retired pay for disability retirees with combat-related disabilities, and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins must feature designs honoring victims and first responders (including the inscription "Never Forget") and will be sold only during 2027-2028. All surcharges ($35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin) collected from sales will fund the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, with no net cost to the federal government. The coins are legal tender but primarily intended for collectors, not circulation.

Maddy summaryThe Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum dedicated to women’s history, to be located within the National Mall Reserve in Washington, D.C. If the site is managed by another federal agency, the bill requires that agency to transfer the land after notifying Congress and relevant committees. The museum must ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent diverse women’s experiences by consulting a broad range of experts and community voices. The Smithsonian will submit biennial reports to Congress detailing how the museum meets these representation standards.

Maddy summaryThe No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026 prohibits the use of federal money to pay specific settlements involving high-ranking government officials and their close associates. It bars payments to the President, Vice President, their immediate families, cabinet members, senior executive staff, political appointees, and individuals connected to these roles, as well as any entity owned by the President or Vice President. Additionally, the bill restricts settlements related to claims about the January 6 Capitol attack, foreign election interference, or previously dismissed lawsuits, while requiring Treasury reports for large settlements and allowing the government to seek repayment if rules are broken.

Maddy summaryHR 4114, the EVEST Act, automatically enrolls recently separated veterans into the VA healthcare system. It requires the VA to enroll eligible veterans (discharged or separated on or after 90 days before the bill's enactment) within 60 days of receiving discharge information from the military. The VA must provide notice via mail and electronic methods (including texts) with clear opt-out instructions and instructions for later enrollment. By August 2026, veterans must also be able to access an electronic certificate of eligibility and opt-out mechanism online. The bill also mandates reports on implementation challenges and best practices for notice delivery.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores veterans' education benefits for periods spent at institutions later found to have fraud, closure, or approval issues. It prevents those periods from counting against a veteran's total benefit entitlement or lifetime limit. Educational institutions must repay the VA if they received benefits for veterans during these covered periods, including cases where courts found fraud or the school was closed for violations. The law applies to veterans using benefits under chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, or 1606/1607 of title 38.

Maddy summaryThe IMPACT to Save Moms Act directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to run a five-year demonstration project from 2027 to 2031, allowing states to test new payment models for maternity care under Medicaid and state child health plans. This initiative aims to improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals, with a specific focus on reducing disparities among groups that experience higher rates of maternal mortality and severe complications. To achieve these goals, the project requires states to consider alternative payment structures that account for pregnancy risk levels, include diverse care teams with training on bias, and address social factors affecting health. The bill also mandates that the federal government evaluate the project's impact on health outcomes and spending, and submit a final report to Congress with recommendations on whether to expand the program nationwide.

Maddy summaryThe Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026 raises the minimum salary required for certain employees to be exempt from federal overtime pay rules, starting at $45,000 per year and increasing annually until it reaches $75,000 by 2029. The bill also mandates that this threshold automatically updates each year to match the 55th percentile of weekly earnings for full-time salaried workers nationwide, with adjustments taking effect based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Additionally, the law modifies the duties test for exemption, requiring that at least 20 percent of an employee's time be spent on executive or administrative tasks rather than the current 40 percent standard. These changes directly affect employers and workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act by redefining eligibility for overtime exemptions and establishing a new mechanism for adjusting salary requirements over time.