Rep. Josh Harder

Maddy summaryHR 5992, the "Stuck On Hold Act," requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve wait times for veterans calling its standard customer service phone lines. Within one year of enactment, the VA must implement an automated system that tells callers their expected wait time and offers a callback if the wait exceeds 10 minutes. The bill also directs the VA Secretary to issue guidance aimed at reducing the average call wait time to 10 minutes or less. This directly affects veterans calling VA service lines (excluding the 38 U.S.C. §1720F(h) hotline and emergency department lines).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new passenger vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. to include AM radio as standard equipment (not an optional add-on) by 2027-2028, depending on manufacturer size. It mandates that AM radio receivers must be easily accessible to drivers and allows compliance through digital AM broadcast technology. During a transition period, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio but cannot charge extra for this feature. The bill also mandates a GAO study on AM radio's role in emergency alerts and includes a 10-year sunset provision for the rule. It preempts state laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

Maddy summaryThe Bring Down Housing Costs Act establishes a federal task force under the Department of Housing and Urban Development to address rising home prices in specific states. The task force, composed of 21 members including congressional representatives, federal agency officials, community advocates, and housing industry experts, will identify states with year-over-year increases in median home prices (using HUD data), develop and recommend best practices for reducing costs, and monitor their implementation. It must submit annual reports to state governors, federal agencies, and relevant congressional committees for five years. This bill creates a process for collaborative problem-solving but does not mandate specific policy changes or funding for states.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new process for farmers to request variances from standard floodproofing or elevation requirements for agricultural structures located in flood zones. Local officials can approve these variances if they determine floodproofing or elevation isn't feasible, the structure isn't in high-risk areas like floodways or near levees, and there have been limited past flood claims ($1,000 or less in 10 years). Crucially, it requires insurance premiums for these structures to match the rate for properly floodproofed buildings in the same zone. The bill directly affects farmers with agricultural properties in flood-prone areas, aiming to reduce insurance costs while maintaining safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 5973, requires federal immigration enforcement personnel to follow strict limits on force use, including proportional application, mandatory de-escalation efforts, and prohibitions on equipment like flash bangs or rubber bullets except for specific public safety threats. It mandates body-worn and vehicle cameras for all operations, with footage retained for one year (three years for force incidents or complaints), and grants affected individuals the right to inspect recordings. The law also requires annual training on force policies, First Amendment compliance, and racial bias avoidance, while demanding detailed quarterly reports to Congress on force usage, assaults on agents, and equipment approvals. These provisions directly affect all federal immigration agents conducting enforcement actions, aiming to increase transparency and accountability during operations.

Maddy summaryHR 5905, the "Helping Our Heroes Act," allows volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel to claim a tax deduction for their service hours. Specifically, each hour of qualified volunteer work (up to 300 hours per year) is treated as a $20 charitable contribution to their organization, verified by the IRS. This applies to volunteers providing fire, medical, rescue, or search services - including required training - and excludes those receiving wage-like compensation. The bill also expands access by enabling non-itemizing taxpayers to claim this deduction, effective for 2026 tax years.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution (HRES 844) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating October 2025 as "Crime Prevention Month." It encourages federal agencies to fund evidence-based crime prevention programs - like youth mentorship, mental health services, and neighborhood safety initiatives - and urges state/local governments to adopt strategies such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. The resolution also commends community workers and calls on all citizens to participate in public safety activities during October. It has no legal effect but aims to raise awareness and foster collaboration across communities, government, and private sectors to reduce crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for working caregivers of dependents with long-term care needs. It allows eligible caregivers (with over $7,500 in earned income) to claim a credit equal to 30% of qualified expenses exceeding $2,000, up to a $10,000 annual maximum. Qualified expenses include human assistance, home modifications, respite care, lost wages, and medical supplies for dependents certified by a healthcare provider as needing long-term care (e.g., due to functional limitations or severe health conditions). The credit phases out for higher-income taxpayers and applies to taxable years beginning after December 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 841) is a symbolic statement expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for recognizing and commemorating the 1984 Sikh Genocide in India. It calls for official remembrance of the violence that killed over 30,000 Sikhs, destroyed communities, and involved state complicity, while urging accountability for perpetrators and rejecting denial of the event. The resolution does not create new laws or affect individuals directly but affirms the House's position on historical justice.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a five-year pilot program to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program, limited to three Veterans Health Administration networks, uses donations to fund HBOT through approved medical providers. It specifically requires HBOT devices to be FDA-approved or under investigational exemption. The pilot ends five years after the bill's enactment, with no annual funding restrictions. The bill directly affects eligible veterans seeking this specific treatment option.