Rep. Pete Sessions

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for businesses selling products made with U.S.-grown cotton. The credit equals 24% of the cotton's market value if processed only in the U.S. or in countries with U.S. trade deals, or 18% for other processing locations. To qualify, cotton must be digitally traced from U.S. farms to finished products and certified by the USDA as meeting origin requirements. It directly affects clothing and textile manufacturers selling qualifying products in the U.S. market.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE KIDS Act would void surrogacy contracts between U.S. surrogates and foreign nationals from designated "foreign entities of concern" (nations listed under 10 U.S.C. §4872(f)(2)), except for married couples where at least one prospective parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. It prohibits surrogacy brokers from facilitating such contracts, imposing fines or up to one year in prison for knowingly arranging these agreements. If a contract is voided, custody decisions for the child would be determined by state courts based solely on the child’s best interests, disregarding the invalid agreement. The bill aims to address what Congress identifies as a national security threat involving exploitation of U.S. surrogacy laws and potential human trafficking.

Maddy summaryHR 224, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, modifies how income is calculated for housing assistance programs by requiring that veterans' service-connected disability compensation (from the VA) be excluded when determining eligibility for low/moderate income housing. This directly affects disabled veterans who receive VA disability payments, ensuring these funds do not count against them for housing assistance under HUD programs. The bill amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to mandate this exclusion in income calculations. Additionally, it requires a report within one year examining how disability compensation is treated across HUD programs and recommending improvements to better serve veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new regulatory framework specifically for homeopathic drugs, establishing rules distinct from those for conventional medicines. It defines homeopathic drug products as those containing only homeopathic ingredients (with no other active ingredients) and sets safety and quality standards based on the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. The bill requires new labeling that includes specific statements about unverified uses and removes the requirement for premarket approval of these products. It also creates a Homeopathic Drug Product Advisory Committee to advise the FDA and withdraws previous FDA guidance on homeopathic products.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to change how tipped employees' wages are calculated. It removes the previous requirement that tipped workers must "customarily and regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips" to qualify for the lower cash wage rate. Instead, it requires that the combined cash wage plus tips must equal or exceed the standard federal minimum wage for the pay period chosen by the employer (ranging from daily to monthly). The bill directly affects restaurant servers, bartenders, and other tipped workers who receive cash wages plus tips. It simplifies wage calculations for employers while ensuring tipped employees earn at least the full minimum wage when tips are included.

Maddy summaryHR 909, the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025, modifies how funds from the False Claims Act are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. It specifies that from 2025 through 2029, certain False Claims Act proceeds (specifically those for qui tam plaintiff payments and government damage reimbursements) cannot be deposited into the fund. This change directly affects the composition of the Crime Victims Fund by excluding these specific revenue streams during the specified period. The bill does not create new benefits or alter victim services; it only adjusts fund allocation rules for existing False Claims Act revenues.

Maddy summaryHR 580 amends the 1995 Unfunded Mandates Reform Act to strengthen requirements for federal agencies issuing significant regulations. It requires agencies to conduct detailed cost-benefit analyses for "major rules" (those costing $100 million annually or more) before finalizing them, including assessing impacts on state/local governments and small businesses. The bill mandates agencies to consult with affected state/local officials and private sector stakeholders early in the rulemaking process and select the regulatory alternative that maximizes net benefits. These changes directly affect federal agencies, state/local governments, and businesses, particularly small enterprises, by increasing transparency and accountability for major federal regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 6908, the Blue Envelope Awareness Act, creates a new program to help people with speech, hearing, or developmental disabilities communicate more effectively with police during traffic stops. The bill directs federal Byrne grant funds to support "blue envelope programs," which provide individuals with blue envelopes containing disability documentation to show officers and train law enforcement on interacting with these individuals. It amends existing law to define "blue envelope program" and add this funding authorization to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act. The bill directly affects people with disabilities who interact with police and law enforcement agencies receiving Byrne grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes regulatory barriers for certain investment funds. It amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to allow "closed-end companies" (investment funds that don't issue new shares after launch) to invest all their assets in "private funds" (like venture capital or hedge funds) without SEC restrictions, provided the restriction isn't related to the fund's nature. It also prevents stock exchanges from blocking the listing or trading of these funds' securities. The bill preserves existing fiduciary duties, valuation rules, and liquidity requirements for these funds.

Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act This act provides for the award of Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team in recognition of the team's achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.