Rep. Ben Cline

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce two types of commemorative $2.50 coins for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence: a circulating coin for everyday use and a numismatic (collector) coin. Both would feature designs based on the 1926 Sesquicentennial coin - showing allegorical liberty holding the Declaration on one side and Independence Hall on the other - with "1776-2026" inscriptions. The bill requires the Mint to issue these coins by July 4, 2026, if technically and economically feasible, but does not mandate their production or affect any specific groups beyond the public who may purchase them.

Maddy summaryHR 7356, the "No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act," amends the Help America Vote Act to block federal funding for election administration in states that permit third parties (non-voters) to collect and transmit mailed ballots for federal elections. It requires states to prohibit such collection by non-authorized individuals, with exceptions for election officials, USPS employees, and family/caregivers living with or assisting the voter. States failing to adopt this prohibition would lose federal funds for administering federal elections. The bill cites concerns about ballot chain-of-custody vulnerabilities and references the Supreme Court’s Brnovich ruling upholding state restrictions on ballot harvesting.

Maddy summaryThe Riley Gaines Act allows female student athletes injured in women's sports competitions to sue schools or athletic associations that permitted biologically male athletes to compete in those events. It creates a legal pathway for victims to seek compensation for physical injuries, lost scholarships, or missed professional opportunities due to the inherent physiological advantages of male athletes. If a female athlete wins a lawsuit under this law, the court must also award them reasonable attorney fees. The bill directly affects institutions of higher education and athletic associations that oversee women's sports competitions.

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 summaryThis bill prevents state or local governments from banning or restricting energy connections (like installation, modification, or access) based on the type or source of energy, such as electricity, natural gas, or renewable fuels. It directly affects consumers choosing energy providers and energy companies seeking to offer services. The key provision prohibits local laws, regulations, or policies that limit energy services sold in interstate commerce, covering all energy types listed in the bill’s definitions. It does not create new programs but limits regulatory authority at the state or local level. The law aims to ensure open access to diverse energy sources without source-based restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain less-than-lethal projectile devices from federal sales taxes and National Firearms Act restrictions. It directly affects manufacturers, importers, and producers of these devices, which are defined as non-lethal tools (like rubber bullets or beanbag rounds) designed not to cause serious injury and unable to be easily converted to use standard firearm ammunition. Key mechanisms include a 90-day classification process for manufacturers seeking exemption, an annual public list of approved devices, and annual congressional reports on devices excluded from the exemption. The policy change applies to devices meeting specific safety criteria, such as projectile velocity limits and design features preventing misuse as conventional weapons.

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 summaryThis resolution is a symbolic gesture supporting the designation of January 25-31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but formally expresses the House's backing for raising public awareness about parental education options. The resolution encourages parents to learn about K-12 education choices (including public schools, charters, private schools, and homeschooling) and urges communities to host events during that week. It has no binding effect and focuses solely on recognition and awareness, not policy change.

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 summaryThe AI OVERWATCH Act requires U.S. exporters to obtain a license for sending certain high-performance integrated circuits (defined by specific technical specifications like processing power or bandwidth) to countries designated as "concerns," including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Before approving such licenses, the Commerce Department must submit detailed certifications to Congress, including assurances the export won’t support military/intelligence capabilities of the recipient country and won’t harm U.S. semiconductor availability or AI leadership. The bill also creates an exemption for U.S. companies meeting strict security and ownership standards ("trusted United States persons") to export these chips to non-target countries without a license. Additionally, it mandates a national security strategy assessing how such exports affect U.S. AI competitiveness, particularly regarding China’s semiconductor production and capabilities.