Sen. Josh Hawley

Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 This act extends and modifies the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, under which states and counties containing certain federal land may receive payments from the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for schools, roads, and certain other municipal services. The act modifies the SRS program, including by extending payments made to states and counties containing federal land through FY2026, providing lapsed payments for FY2024 and FY2025, extending the authority of counties to initiate projects using such funds through FY2028, and extending the authority to initiate projects proposed by resource advisory committees through FY2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, which currently shields online platforms from most liability for user-generated content. It would remove this legal protection, potentially making platforms more liable for content posted by users. The bill also updates references to Section 230 in other federal laws (like the Trademark Act and criminal codes) to instead reference Section 223 of the Communications Act. The changes would take effect two years after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park in New York to preserve the site where 982 WWII refugees were housed (1944-1946), requiring the Secretary of the Interior to first acquire sufficient land and publish a Federal Register notice. It also designates the America’s National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri, as a National Historic Landmark, while mandating a 3-year federal study to evaluate its potential inclusion in the National Park System. The park will be managed under standard National Park System rules, with a requirement for a management plan within 3 years. The landmark designation does not alter local ownership or administration of the museum property.

Maddy summaryThe Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require lobbyists to disclose the names and addresses of foreign governments or political parties (other than the client) that direct, plan, supervise, or control their lobbying activities. This affects lobbyists representing clients with foreign influence, mandating new transparency in their registration filings. The bill adds a specific disclosure requirement to the existing registration process, ensuring foreign entities beyond the client are identified. This change increases public visibility into foreign involvement in U.S. lobbying efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill corrects retirement benefits for specific U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers hired between 2008. It applies to officers who received a job offer before July 6, 2008, but started work on or after that date. The bill ensures these officers receive the minimum retirement benefit amount required by law and are exempt from mandatory retirement age rules. It also requires retroactive payments to officers who retired before the law’s enactment.

Maddy summaryThe HONEST Act (officially titled the PELOSI Act) prohibits Members of Congress and their spouses from holding, buying, or selling most stocks, bonds, and financial derivatives (like options or futures) during their term in office to prevent conflicts of interest from insider trading. It excludes diversified mutual funds, ETFs, U.S. Treasury securities, and income from a spouse’s primary job, with a 180-day grace period for current and new members to divest existing holdings. Lawmakers must annually certify compliance to ethics committees, which can impose fines (up to 10% of non-compliant holdings’ value per 30 days) and publish violations publicly. The law also mandates a government audit within two years to assess compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal agencies from using taxpayer funds to purchase solar panels manufactured or assembled by entities linked to China’s government (defined as Chinese-owned or controlled by China’s government or Communist Party). It requires agencies to stop all such procurement within 180 days of enactment, including via contracts, grants, or government purchase cards. Agencies may request waivers only if they prove no other viable source exists and the State and Homeland Security Secretaries jointly approve, with quarterly congressional reports on all waiver requests. The bill also mandates a study on domestic solar production capacity and a report on federal solar panel purchases from covered entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to verify personal and biometric information and conduct in-person vetting for individuals evacuated from Afghanistan between January 2021 and January 2022 (excluding U.S. citizens and military members). It mandates a database tracking each person's criminal history, benefit applications (like unemployment or means-tested public benefits), and vetting status, with quarterly reports to Congress until completion. Individuals who haven't provided required information or completed vetting are barred from receiving unemployment compensation or federal means-tested benefits. The law also requires a final certification to Congress and GAO audits to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Medicare-approved medical residency programs from requiring residents to undergo abortion-related training without their voluntary opt-in. It specifically bans programs from mandating such training or discriminating against residents who choose not to participate in abortion care (including counseling or referrals). The law applies directly to medical residents in Medicare-funded postgraduate training programs. Key provisions ensure residents can opt out without penalty and prevent programs from penalizing those who decline abortion-related instruction.

Maddy summaryS 2379, the "Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act," creates a new program to improve safety for state and local judges and court staff. It authorizes the State Justice Institute to fund eligible national nonprofits (with specific expertise in judicial security, courthouse design, and court operations) to establish State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Centers. These centers will provide safety training, monitor threats, coordinate with law enforcement, develop standardized reporting systems, and create a national database for sharing threat information. The bill also requires an annual report to Congress on the number and types of threats faced by judges and court staff.