Rep. Brian J. Mast

Essential Caregivers Act of 2025   This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods.   Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period. Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.

Maddy summaryHR 3962, the ESTUARIES Act, extends a deadline within the National Estuary Program. It amends Section 320(i)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act by changing the year "2026" to "2031" in a requirement related to program management. This change directly affects the National Estuary Program, which oversees coastal water quality protection and restoration efforts. The bill makes a specific procedural adjustment to the program's timeline without altering its core policies or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HCONRES 67) authorizes the use of the U.S. Capitol rotunda for the ceremonial "lying in state" of two Iowa National Guard soldiers: Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard. It specifically permits their remains to be displayed in the rotunda, as determined by Capitol officials, following their service in the 1st Squadron of the 113th Cavalry Regiment. The resolution is purely procedural, recognizing their military service without creating new laws or affecting policy. It directly involves Capitol staff who would arrange the ceremony and the families of the deceased soldiers.

Maddy summaryThe Ceasing Age-Based Trucking Restrictions Act reclassifies the transportation of goods from a port of entry to another location within the same state (as part of trade originating outside the state or country) as intrastate commerce, not interstate, for commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements. This change means such trips would no longer require a CDL under federal interstate rules, which typically mandate drivers be at least 21 years old. Instead, these trips would fall under state intrastate CDL regulations, which may permit younger drivers (e.g., 18-20 years old) depending on state laws. The bill directly affects commercial truck drivers and carriers operating port-to-intrastate routes, potentially allowing younger drivers to operate in these specific scenarios.

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.

Maddy summaryHRES 934 is a symbolic resolution designating November 2025 as "Carbon Monoxide Action and Awareness Month" to promote public safety. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages nationwide education, prevention, and detection efforts to protect families from carbon monoxide poisoning. The resolution urges all U.S. households to install and maintain certified carbon monoxide alarms, test them regularly, and recognize poisoning symptoms. It specifically highlights that 36% of homes lack detectors and emphasizes collaboration between government agencies, health organizations, and communities to reduce risks. This resolution directly affects all U.S. residents, particularly vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, by advancing existing prevention strategies.

Maddy summaryHR 5566, the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act, extends deadlines for three existing federal water infrastructure programs by five years. It amends the Clean Water Act to extend the deadline for the Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program from 2026 to 2031, and updates the Safe Drinking Water Act to extend deadlines for both the general Drinking Water System Infrastructure Program and the Midsize/Large Drinking Water System Program from 2026 to 2031. These changes directly affect state and local governments administering these programs, giving them more time to complete eligible projects. The bill makes no new funding commitments or policy changes - only adjusts the timeline for existing program requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 5563, the DRIVE-SAFE Act, creates a structured apprenticeship program for commercial drivers under age 21. It requires employers to provide a two-phase training program: a 120-hour probationary period focused on basic driving skills (like traffic navigation and safety awareness), followed by a 280-hour period covering advanced tasks (such as pre-trip inspections and load management). During both phases, apprentices must operate vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, collision mitigation systems, and video capture, and must be accompanied by an experienced driver (26+ years old with no recent accidents or violations). The bill does not change existing commercial driver’s license requirements and mandates employers to maintain records and provide remediation for preventable accidents or violations during training.

Maddy summaryHR 6044, the Pay Our Patriots Act, ensures military personnel and essential Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) staff continue receiving pay during a government shutdown. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover "covered pay and allowances" for active-duty military members and specific FAA employees (like air traffic controllers) deemed essential for air safety during any lapse in regular appropriations. The bill mandates that payments be made at the rate in effect before the shutdown began, with funds immediately available and not subject to reductions. This funding continues until either a new appropriations bill is passed or the end of the fiscal year in which the shutdown began.

Maddy summaryHRES 864 is a ceremonial resolution honoring U.S. veterans on Veterans Day 2025. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes veterans' service and sacrifice, calling on all Americans to observe Veterans Day. The resolution references historical context about Veterans Day's origins (from Armistice Day to honoring all veterans) but contains no concrete policy changes. It directly addresses the general public, urging them to participate in the observance. As a non-binding resolution, it affects no specific individuals or groups through legislative action.