Rep. Jack Bergman

Maddy summaryThe GRACE for Military Survivors Act extends the deadline for contributing military death benefits to Roth IRAs and Coverdell education savings accounts from one year to three years. This change directly benefits families of service members who receive these death benefits, giving them more time to save for retirement or education. The law applies to benefits received after the bill is enacted and includes a special rule allowing contributions made within a specific window for benefits received between 2001 and the enactment date. By amending the Internal Revenue Code, the bill ensures that eligible funds can be deposited into these tax-advantaged accounts without losing their value due to time limits.

Maddy summaryThe Support our Firefighters Act establishes a new paid rest and recuperation leave program for federal wildland firefighters working for the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior. Under this law, these employees would receive paid time off immediately after completing a qualifying fire incident, with specific rules requiring a minimum number of rest days following periods of deployment. The bill also allows for the transfer of up to $5 million in funding from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of the Interior to help sustain salary increases for these workers. Additionally, the legislation updates existing overtime rules to remove specific year limits, ensuring that wildland firefighters can work extended hours without hitting caps in future years.

Maddy summaryThis bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.

Maddy summaryThe VA Home Loan Navigator Act establishes a free, voluntary program to help veterans and eligible borrowers navigate VA home loan benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs will fund independent, neutral organizations to provide education, counseling on loan processes, and assistance with issues like foreclosure prevention and understanding costs. To ensure fairness, the law strictly prohibits these service providers from receiving payments from lenders or real estate agents and requires them to remain operationally separate from any mortgage or brokerage businesses. Designated entities must meet specific criteria, including HUD approval and a primary mission of serving military families, while individual counselors must be certified and recertified every three years. The program will be monitored through regular reports to Congress evaluating borrower satisfaction and outcomes such as foreclosure prevention rates.

Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act This bill repeals the Corporate Transparency Act. The act requires existing companies and newly created companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for purposes of addressing the financing of terrorism and money laundering.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act, expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by strengthening their immunity from civil lawsuits. It requires courts to immediately dismiss any pending cases against these companies that are based on the criminal or unlawful misuse of a gun by a third party, while also clarifying that sellers are not liable for negligence in entrusting products to others. The legislation further restricts who can file such suits by prohibiting foreign governments from bringing these claims and adding a specific exception for victims under the age of 17, though it maintains immunity for cases involving design or manufacturing defects. Additionally, the bill allows companies to move these cases to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately, along with the ability to recover legal fees if they win. Finally, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on these entities for the same types of misuse-related harms.

Maddy summaryHR 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, requires employers to begin negotiating a first contract with a newly certified union within 10 days of written request. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, the parties must seek mediation, and if unresolved after 30 days of mediation, the dispute moves to binding arbitration by a three-member panel. The arbitration decision, based on factors like employer finances, industry standards, and cost of living, becomes binding for two years. This bill directly affects newly certified unions and their employers during initial contract negotiations, aiming to reduce delays that currently average 465 days.

Maddy summaryThe Seaport Security Act of 2026 establishes new federal rules to protect U.S. seaports from unauthorized drone operations. It defines a restricted airspace zone extending up to 1,000 feet above specific seaports that handle significant cargo or cruise passengers, prohibiting the flight of unmanned aircraft in these areas without permission. The bill allows exceptions for authorized government agencies, law enforcement with prior notice, port security operations, emergency responses, and specific waivers issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. Violations of these restrictions can result in civil fines of up to $25,000, seizure of the drone, or criminal imprisonment for up to two years, with harsher penalties of up to ten years for acts intended to facilitate crime or terrorism. The Federal Aviation Administration is required to issue detailed regulations within 180 days to implement these protections.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the contributions of automotive workers across the United States, with specific emphasis on those employed in Michigan's manufacturing sector. It formally designates September 2026 as "American Automotive Worker Recognition Month" to acknowledge the industry's role in supporting millions of jobs and national economic stability. The measure expresses support for policies that strengthen domestic production and supply chains while commending the skill and dedication of workers in plants, supply chains, and dealerships. As a symbolic gesture, the bill does not create new laws or funding but serves to recognize the historical and economic importance of the automotive workforce.

Maddy summaryThe Military Readiness Permitting Efficiency Act of 2026 allows the Department of Defense to enter into agreements with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to speed up environmental reviews for priority military projects. Under these agreements, the military can provide direct funding to hire additional staff for these agencies if they lack the necessary personnel or funds to complete reviews within a specific timeframe. This process applies to environmental assessments required by laws such as the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The bill aims to reduce delays in military construction and operations by ensuring these reviews are completed promptly when national defense interests are at stake.