Rep. Pete Sessions

Maddy summaryHR 7442 establishes a new National Bridge Program under federal highway law to allocate funding for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, and construction. It changes how funds are distributed: 75% based on the total deck area of bridges on federal-aid highways in each state, and 25% based on the deck area of bridges in poor condition. This directly affects state transportation departments managing federal-aid highway bridges, requiring them to prioritize projects using this updated formula starting after December 31, 2024. The bill eliminates prior programs (Carbon Reduction and PROTECT) and revises related funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHRES 1041 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of February 8, 2026, as "Scouting America Day" to celebrate the 116th anniversary of the organization's incorporation. It recognizes Scouting America's history, including its founding in 1910, its youth development programs, and its contributions to community service (e.g., over 7 million service hours in 2025). The resolution does not create new laws or directly affect any group, as it serves only as a symbolic expression of congressional support. It honors Scouting America's role in fostering leadership and character among youth, citing its long-standing partnership with national initiatives like America 250.

Maddy summaryHR 7265, the Vote by Mail Tracking Act, requires all government entities sending mail-in ballots for federal elections to use a standardized Postal Service barcode on ballot envelopes. This barcode enables tracking of each individual ballot, while also mandating specific envelope designs and machineability standards set by the Postal Service. The bill applies to all mail-in ballots for federal office elections starting in 2026, but excludes Federal write-in absentee ballots under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. The Postmaster General must provide compliance guidance to government entities by June each year to implement the tracking system.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies federal budget rules for unspent agency funds. It requires federal agencies to allocate 49% of unused funds to the next fiscal year, 49% toward paying the national debt, and 2% for retention bonuses (capped at 10% of an employee's base pay). Agencies must also limit future budget requests to the previous year's amount adjusted for inflation. The bill directly affects all executive branch agencies (excluding the Red Cross), altering how they manage leftover budget authority. It does not create new savings programs for individuals but changes government fiscal management procedures.

Maddy summaryThe No More SCAMS Act establishes a new Federal Fraud Interagency Task Force to investigate and combat fraud involving federal funds. It directly affects covered agencies like the Departments of Treasury, Defense, Health and Human Services, and others, requiring them to provide subject-matter expert members. The Task Force will coordinate fraud investigations across agencies, develop prevention best practices, and share data to recover misused funds. Annual reports to Congress and GAO audits will track investigations, funds recovered, and fraud trends across federal programs.

Maddy summaryThe Make Elections Great Again Act (HR 7300) would require voters to present photo identification to cast ballots in person or by mail for federal elections, with limited exceptions for religious objections or military voters. It would establish new requirements for proving U.S. citizenship during voter registration, including documentary proof of citizenship and proof of state residency. The bill would change mail-in ballot procedures by requiring voters to request mail-in ballots (rather than universal mail-in voting), implementing barcode tracking for mail-in ballots, and setting strict deadlines for ballot receipt. These provisions would apply to all states for federal elections held in 2027 or later, affecting how voters register, vote in person, and submit mail-in ballots for federal office elections.

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill (1) provides for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses. Individuals voting in federal elections must present an eligible photo identification document. An individual who votes by absentee ballot must submit a copy of their identification document with both the request for, and the submission of, the absentee ballot.

Maddy summaryHR 7270 creates a federal grant program administered by the Treasury Secretary to provide funding to states for developing secure digital identity systems. States would use these grants to create digital driver’s licenses and identity credentials that comply with NIST guidelines, prioritize protection against deepfake attacks, and replace vulnerable legacy systems. The bill requires states to use at least 10% of grant funds to assist individuals in obtaining digital identity services, while prohibiting states from forcing residents to use digital IDs or eliminating physical licenses. It aims to reduce identity theft fraud in government benefit programs and the financial system by enhancing digital identity security, with no requirement for states to develop digital credentials.

Maddy summaryHR 1295, the Reorganizing Government Act of 2025, amends federal law to streamline executive branch operations. It requires all executive departments (like the Departments of Defense or Education) to eliminate unnecessary programs, reduce federal employee numbers, and cut burdensome regulations that increase compliance costs. The bill updates deadlines for reorganization plans from 1984 to 2026 and explicitly mandates that all government operations must serve the public interest. These changes apply broadly across the federal government, focusing on efficiency and cost reduction.

Maddy summaryHR 7235, the "Protecting Motherhood Act," requires all federal agencies to stop using the term "birthing person" in official documents and instead use specific terms like "female," "mother," "pregnant woman," or "woman." It directly affects federal agencies that produce regulations, forms, or communications, mandating the use of these defined terms when referring to individuals based on biological sex. The bill provides detailed definitions for terms like "female" (based on biological sex at conception) and "pregnant woman" (an adult human female carrying a child). The law takes effect 30 days after enactment. This is a procedural change focused solely on terminology in government documents, with no direct impact on healthcare access or services.