Rep. Ken Calvert

Maddy summaryHR 2257 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce three commemorative coins (a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half-dollar) to honor fallen firefighters, with specific quantity limits and specifications. The bill requires a surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar) on each coin sold, which is directed entirely to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support its programs. The coins must be issued in 2026, will be legal tender, and the government must recover all costs through sales before distributing funds to the Foundation. This is a commemorative coin program, not a direct legislative policy change affecting broader public programs.

Maddy summaryHR 2093 sets new maximum terms for wastewater pollution permits under the Clean Water Act. It limits permits issued to states or municipalities to 10 years and permits issued to other entities (like factories or businesses) to 5 years. This directly affects all facilities requiring federal permits to discharge pollutants into waterways. The bill also makes minor technical corrections to existing permit language to clarify references within the law. These changes update the duration rules for pollution permits without altering the core permitting process.

Maddy summaryThe FOCA Act of 2025 prohibits federal agencies from requiring or banning contractors from using union agreements in construction project bids or contracts. It directly affects federal agencies, contractors, and subcontractors working on federally funded or assisted construction projects (like buildings or infrastructure). The law requires bid documents to not favor or penalize contractors based on whether they have union agreements, aiming to promote open competition and prevent discrimination. This changes how agencies structure bids but does not affect union agreements themselves. The bill applies to all new contracts and subcontracts after enactment, with limited exemptions only for public health/safety emergencies or national security.

Maddy summaryHR 2111 would exempt premium cigars from certain federal tobacco regulations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It redefines "premium cigar" to include only cigars meeting strict criteria: made entirely of tobacco leaf (no filters, additives, or flavorings), handmade, and weighing over 6 pounds per 1,000 units. This exemption directly affects small, family-owned premium cigar manufacturers, shifting regulatory oversight from federal to state levels as determined by a recent court ruling. The bill cites data showing premium cigars are used primarily by adults (1% of U.S. adults), involve lower health risks than other tobacco products, and are rarely used by youth.

Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2025 or the HELPER Act of 2025 This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a first-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment. Instead, the mortgage is subject to a one-time, up-front mortgage insurance premium.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i.e., breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body). Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Under current law, individuals generally must wait 5 months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.

Maddy summaryHR 2033, the Military Spouse Hiring Act, expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include spouses of active-duty military personnel. It adds "qualified military spouse" as an eligible category for the tax credit, meaning employers who hire such spouses can claim the credit. A "qualified military spouse" is defined as someone certified by a local agency as married to an active-duty service member at the time of hire. The credit applies to hires occurring after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects military spouses seeking employment and employers hiring them, providing a tax incentive to encourage their hiring.

Maddy summaryHR 1940, the Tanning Tax Repeal Act of 2025, removes a federal excise tax on indoor tanning services. It directly affects tanning salons and businesses providing these services by eliminating the tax they previously paid. The bill repeals Chapter 49 of the Internal Revenue Code, which imposed the tax, and the change takes effect for services provided after the bill becomes law. This is a straightforward tax repeal with no new requirements or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal for actor James Earl Jones to recognize his career achievements in theater and film. It directs the Treasury Secretary to strike a gold medal bearing his name, which will be presented to his son, Flynn Earl Jones, following Jones' passing. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. As a ceremonial honor with no policy changes, it does not affect legislation or government operations.

Maddy summaryThe FISH Act of 2025 transfers responsibility for managing migratory fish species (such as salmon that spawn in freshwater and migrate to the ocean, or eels that spawn in the ocean and migrate to freshwater) from the Department of Commerce to the Department of the Interior. It amends the Endangered Species Act to update the "Secretary" reference for these species to the Secretary of the Interior and adds clear definitions for "anadromous" and "catadromous" species. The bill ensures existing permits, decisions, and legal cases involving these fish continue without interruption during the transition. It also allows for reconsideration of certain administrative decisions made by the Commerce Department within three years before the transfer, if requested within one year of the transfer.