Rep. Aaron Bean

Maddy summaryHR 1156, the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act, extends the time limit for prosecuting fraud related to pandemic unemployment programs. It adds a 10-year window for criminal or civil actions against individuals who falsely claimed benefits under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC). The law applies only to fraud committed during these specific pandemic-era programs and does not revive cases where the original statute of limitations had already expired before this bill passed. This change gives authorities more time to pursue fraud cases without altering the programs' core eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects three specific state programs that handle permits for dredged or fill material in waterways under the Clean Water Act. It prohibits the EPA from withdrawing approval of Michigan's, New Jersey's, and Florida's existing programs without new congressional authorization, preventing the EPA from revoking them through standard administrative processes. The bill also creates a 90-day transition period for Florida to continue issuing permits during a program review and allows other states to seek similar approval if their programs are deemed comparable. It does not change environmental standards but ensures these cooperative state-federal arrangements remain intact unless Congress acts.

Maddy summaryThe Students Bill of Rights Act of 2025 requires public colleges and universities receiving federal student aid funds to adopt clear, neutral policies protecting student organizations. It prohibits denying recognition based on lack of faculty advisors or national affiliations, mandates transparent standards for distributing student activity fees and setting security fees (without considering speech content), and requires accessible appeal processes for denied recognition or funding. Students harmed by violations can sue for damages, and institutions failing to comply risk losing federal funding after court rulings. The bill also demands public reporting of violations and compliance efforts to the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryHR 2006, the DOGE Act, makes Executive Order 14210 a permanent law. This order directs the executive branch to implement the President's "Department of Government Efficiency workforce optimization initiative." The bill directly affects federal government operations by legally binding the executive branch to follow this specific workforce optimization plan. It does not create new programs but elevates an existing executive order to statutory force.

Maddy summaryHR 1990, the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025, amends tax rules for businesses to make research and development (R&D) costs more flexible. It allows companies to deduct R&D expenses immediately as business costs (instead of capitalizing them) or to spread these costs over a minimum 60-month period. The bill clarifies which R&D expenses qualify, excludes land improvements and mineral exploration costs, and ensures companies can claim R&D tax credits without conflict with expense treatment. This directly affects businesses that conduct R&D, changing how they account for these costs on tax returns starting for 2022 taxable years.

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 summaryThis bill modifies tax reporting rules for gig economy platforms (like Uber or DoorDash) by reinstating a pre-American Rescue Plan threshold. It requires third-party payment platforms to report income to the IRS only if a gig worker earns over $20,000 in a year or completes more than 200 transactions. This directly affects low-earning gig workers who would no longer receive tax forms for smaller earnings. The change simplifies reporting for platforms and reduces administrative burden on workers with minimal income from these platforms.

Maddy summaryHRES 178, titled "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Resolution," would reduce each House member's annual representational allowance (funding for district office operations and constituent services) by $100,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 compared to the 2025 level. This applies to all current and future House members, directly affecting their annual budget for local office expenses. The key provision sets the 2026 and 2027 allowance equal to the 2025 amount minus $100,000, creating a uniform reduction. As a procedural resolution, it would require the House Administration Committee to implement this change in the budget.

Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025 This bill modifies criminal penalties for an offense involving the theft of a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer, or from their business premises. Specifically, the bill does the following: increases from 10 to 20 years the maximum prison term, and creates a 3- or 5-year mandatory minimum prison term for an offense that occurs during the commission of a burglary or robbery. An attempt to commit an offense is subject to the same penalties as a substantive offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the exclusivity period for certain advanced drugs from 7 to 11 years. It defines "advanced drug product" as a drug using genetically targeted technology to modulate gene function (e.g., suppress or activate genes). This change directly affects pharmaceutical companies developing these specific advanced therapies by granting them longer market exclusivity. The policy change modifies the Social Security Act to provide extended protection for these innovative drugs, allowing companies more time to recoup research and development costs.