Rep. Christopher H. Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Secretary of State to create and execute a plan to end the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) across the Middle East. The legislation requires a detailed strategy that assesses current programs like education and healthcare, identifies new organizations to take over these services, and outlines how to fund and oversee the transition without interrupting aid. Once the plan is submitted to Congress, the State Department must begin implementing it within a year while coordinating with host countries and international partners. The bill emphasizes maintaining service continuity and ensuring that any successor groups meet strict standards for transparency and accountability.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the goals of Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, which takes place in June. It aims to raise public awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia while encouraging individuals to educate themselves and advocate for better research and care services. The document highlights the significant impact of these conditions on millions of Americans and calls for increased support for patients, their families, and caregivers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution condemns China's new Ethnic Unity Law and the Communist Party's campaign of forced assimilation against ethnic and religious minorities, including Tibetans, Uyghurs, and others. It specifically criticizes provisions that prioritize Mandarin and Party ideology over minority cultures, risk criminalizing peaceful expression, and include extraterritorial clauses that could target Americans for speech or advocacy. The bill urges the U.S. government to impose sanctions on officials involved in these policies, protect diaspora communities from harassment, and report on human rights violations in China's annual reports. Additionally, it affirms that the recognition of Tibetan Buddhist leaders is a religious matter free from Chinese interference and calls for the release of political prisoners.

Maddy summaryThe Preventing Stomach Cancer in Our Nation's Heroes Act directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report within 180 days outlining a plan to test military members for H. pylori bacteria as they transition to civilian life. This report must include cost estimates and a feasibility study for implementing screening using breath and stool-based methods, potentially incorporating input from medical experts specializing in gastrointestinal health. The legislation focuses on establishing a testing program rather than mandating immediate implementation, aiming to address the link between H. pylori and stomach cancer risks among veterans.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the fourth anniversary of the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which removed the federal constitutional right to abortion. The text expresses support for state authority to regulate abortion and acknowledges the work of pregnancy centers that provide care to women and families. It also recognizes the belief that unborn life possesses inherent rights and calls for the protection of that life. As a symbolic measure, the bill does not change any laws or policies but serves to formally celebrate the anniversary and state the House's position on the issue.

Maddy summaryThe Saving FACE Act of 2026 amends federal criminal law to remove penalties for obstructing access to abortion services. It achieves this by changing the name of the relevant statute from "Freedom of Access to Clinics" to "Freedom of Access to Church" and removing the specific definition of abortion from the list of protected activities. Additionally, the bill updates the legal definition of abortion to exclude the intentional termination of a pregnancy, thereby narrowing the scope of the obstruction statute. These changes directly affect individuals who might otherwise face criminal charges for blocking entry to facilities providing abortion care.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Northern Border Security Review Act to update deadlines and requirements for border security assessments. It requires the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to submit a northern border threat analysis by September 2, 2026, and every two years after, with strategy updates due 90 days after each analysis. The bill also mandates classified briefings to congressional committees 30 days after each threat analysis and directs the development of performance measures for Air and Marine Operations within six months of enactment. These changes directly affect the DHS Secretary, congressional committees, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's operations along the northern border.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a public list of healthcare providers who have completed annual, evidence-based training on preventing veteran suicide. To qualify for this preferred provider list, providers must either finish VA-sponsored training or demonstrate completion of substantially similar external training that meets military healthcare standards. The VA must review this list annually to ensure compliance and submit regular reports to Congress detailing participation numbers and the effectiveness of the program in influencing veteran care choices.

Maddy summaryHR 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, requires employers to begin negotiating a first contract with a newly certified union within 10 days of written request. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, the parties must seek mediation, and if unresolved after 30 days of mediation, the dispute moves to binding arbitration by a three-member panel. The arbitration decision, based on factors like employer finances, industry standards, and cost of living, becomes binding for two years. This bill directly affects newly certified unions and their employers during initial contract negotiations, aiming to reduce delays that currently average 465 days.

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2026 This bill reauthorizes the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom through 2028. The commission is an independent federal commission tasked with monitoring international religious freedom conditions, reviewing U.S. government policy, and making policy recommendations. (Under current law, the commission is authorized through FY2026.)