Rep. Andy Barr

Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act This bill requires certified national governing bodies (NGBs) of amateur sports (e.g., USA Gymnastics) to prohibit a person whose sex is male from participating in an amateur athletic competition that is designated for females, women, or girls. Under the bill, male  means an individual who has, had, will have—or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident—the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative to accelerate joint development and integration of defense technologies between the two countries. It directs the U.S. Secretary of Defense, with Israel’s agreement, to identify Israeli-origin technologies for rapid adoption into U.S. military systems, focusing on areas like counter-drone systems, missile defense (including "Golden Dome for America"), AI, cyber defense, and directed energy. The initiative requires annual congressional reporting on progress, partnerships with industry, and technology transitions, while authorizing $150 million annually for fiscal years 2027-2029. It aims to strengthen bilateral defense innovation and streamline the use of Israeli technologies within U.S. military programs.

Maddy summaryThe Contract Our Veterans Act of 2026 establishes new federal contracting preferences for small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. It allows agencies to award contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold without competition to qualified veteran-owned businesses if they meet performance, pricing, and value criteria, and creates restricted competitions exclusively for these businesses. The bill sets a mandatory governmentwide goal of at least 5% of all federal prime and subcontract awards going to veteran-owned small businesses each fiscal year. It also amends reporting requirements to track these contracts separately across agencies, including through sole-source awards and restricted competitions. This directly affects veteran-owned small businesses seeking federal contracts and federal agencies responsible for procurement.

Maddy summaryThe SCAM Act requires online platforms that display paid advertisements (like social media sites) to verify advertiser identities, implement scam detection systems, and remove fraudulent ads within 24 hours of confirmation. It directly affects platforms that accept payment for ads, targeting scams such as fake giveaways, romance scams, and AI impersonations that cost consumers $195 billion in 2024 (per FTC data). Key mechanisms include mandatory identity checks for advertisers, active monitoring systems, and a 72-hour investigation window for reported scams. The law aims to reduce fraud by shifting responsibility to platforms, with enforcement by the FTC and state attorneys general.

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 4304, the FAIR Bet Act, amends the tax code to allow gamblers to deduct 100% of their wagering losses instead of the current 90% limit. This change directly affects individuals who report gambling losses on their federal income tax returns. The key provision modifies Section 165(d) of the Internal Revenue Code to remove the 90% restriction on deducting gambling losses. The bill does not alter how gambling winnings are taxed, only the deduction available for losses.

Maddy summaryHR 7484, the Community Bank Relief Act, adjusts fees for payment card transactions to help community banks. It requires the Federal Reserve to annually increase these fees starting in 2026 based on the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate, with a special one-time adjustment using CPI data from October 2009 to October 2025. This change directly affects community banks by linking their transaction fee limits to inflation, aiming to offset rising costs. The bill modifies existing law under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to implement these specific fee adjustment mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 7485, the Taiwan SOS Act of 2026, requires the U.S. State and Defense Departments to permit officials from Taiwan (including military personnel and representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office) to display the flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and military insignia during specific official activities. These activities include wearing official uniforms, participating in government-hosted ceremonies or functions, and appearing in Department of State and Defense social media promotions about U.S.-Taiwan engagement. The bill mandates this permission for designated purposes but does not alter U.S. policy on Taiwan's sovereignty. It focuses solely on ceremonial access for existing diplomatic and military interactions.

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.