Rep. Tom Barrett

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a dedicated Transportation Security Trust Fund to ensure money collected from airline passenger security fees is used exclusively for aviation security purposes. The fund would support the Transportation Security Administration by paying salaries and benefits for its personnel, funding passenger and baggage screening operations, and purchasing security technology and infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation guarantees that aviation security operations can continue without interruption during government funding lapses, prioritizing frontline staff compensation and operational expenses before using remaining funds for technology upgrades.

Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 This bill imposes sanctions on certain foreign persons (individuals and entities) that are involved in Iran's petroleum sector as well as certain associated persons. The bill also requires or authorizes actions to facilitate the enforcement of sanctions on Iran. Specifically, the bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person that, after the bill's enactment, knowingly engages in any transaction related to the processing, export, or sale of oil, condensates, gas, liquefied natural gas, or other petrochemical products in whole or in part from Iran. The President must also impose sanctions on certain foreign persons associated with a sanctioned individual or entity. For example, the President must sanction the subsidiaries and corporate officers of a sanctioned business. The bill provides certain exceptions to these sanctions, including specifying that sanctions do not apply to the importation of goods or to conducting or facilitating transactions for humanitarian assistance. The Department of State must establish an interagency working group that shall seek to establish a multilateral contact group to coordinate international efforts to enforce sanctions on Iran. The bill expands the State Department rewards program to authorize a reward payment to any individual who furnishes information leading to the identification of a person (1) subject to sanctions under this bill, or (2) that has attempted or is attempting to evade sanctions under this bill.

Maddy summaryHR 7932, the HONOR Gold Star Families Act, increases the death gratuity paid to families of service members who died in the line of duty. It raises the current $100,000 payment to $200,000 for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2026. The bill also adds an annual cost-of-living adjustment to this amount, increasing it each January 1 based on the previous year’s inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index. This directly affects Gold Star Families - those who have lost a service member in military service - by providing a larger initial payment and ensuring future payments keep pace with inflation.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to prevent fraudulent enrollments in health insurance exchanges by requiring the government to check for duplicate social security numbers before issuing premium tax credits. It also mandates that agents and brokers must obtain direct consent from individuals or employers before completing enrollments, rather than accepting third-party attestations of consent. These measures directly affect insurance brokers, agents, and individuals seeking health coverage through federal exchanges. The changes would take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Care Over Profits Act of 2026, aims to reform health insurance regulations by increasing the minimum medical loss ratio requirement and strengthening penalties for fraudulent enrollment practices. It directly affects health insurance companies offering plans in small group and individual markets, as well as agents and brokers who help people enroll in qualified health plans through health insurance exchanges. The bill raises the medical loss ratio requirement from 80% to 85% starting in 2026, meaning insurers must spend at least 85 cents of every premium dollar on medical care rather than administrative costs or profits. Additionally, it introduces new civil and criminal penalties for agents and brokers who negligently or knowingly provide false information during enrollment applications, with fines ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 per affected individual and potential imprisonment of up to 10 years for willful violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the First Look for First-time Homebuyers Act of 2026, requires federal housing agencies and mortgage corporations to give first-time homebuyers priority access to foreclosed single-family homes for a 15-day period after they are listed for sale. During this window, properties must be priced based on independent appraisals or disclosed valuation models, listed on public websites with clear eligibility information, and cannot be bundled with other properties. The legislation also mandates regular reporting to Congress on sales data and requires internal audits to ensure compliance with these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prepare a report for Congress. The report must evaluate the feasibility of creating a program that would allow first-time homebuyers who are first responders or school teachers to obtain FHA mortgage insurance without a down payment. HUD must consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs and analyze various aspects, including the program's costs, solvency, and impact on these specific homebuyers.

Maddy summaryThe "Take Your Rate Act of 2026" directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to jointly conduct a study. This study will examine the feasibility and potential impacts of allowing homeowners to transfer their existing interest rate on federally backed mortgages to a new home, a concept known as mortgage portability. It requires an analysis of administrative feasibility, effects on the housing market, benefits to current borrowers, budgetary impacts, and potential regulatory or statutory changes needed. Within 180 days, the agencies must submit a report to Congress detailing their findings, policy recommendations, and an assessment of risks and benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new type of tax-advantaged savings account specifically designed for first-time homebuyers. It allows individuals who have not owned a home in the past three years to make tax-deductible contributions to a special savings account, with a contribution limit based on income and capped at 20% of the national average home price. Money withdrawn from the account is tax-free if used for qualified expenses like purchasing a home or making major repairs, but taxable with a 10% penalty if used for other purposes. The bill also permits limited tax-free withdrawals for emergencies such as job loss, major health events, or marriage, and allows contributions to be rolled over into a new account within 60 days.

Maddy summaryHR 7681, the "HSA’s For All Act," would expand eligibility for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by allowing individuals enrolled in any qualified health plan - not just high-deductible plans - to contribute to an HSA. It directly affects people covered by Affordable Care Act marketplace plans or employer group health plans, removing the current requirement for a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to qualify. The bill amends tax code definitions to replace "high-deductible health plan" with "covered health plan" throughout relevant sections, simplifying eligibility rules. This change would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.