Rep. Joe Neguse

Maddy summaryThe WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act amends federal law to improve access to water infrastructure funding for Indian Tribes. It allows the Secretary of the Interior to reduce or waive a tribe's required cost share for water projects if the tribe faces financial hardship. This directly affects tribes receiving WaterSMART grants, making it easier for them to secure federal funding for essential water management improvements without bearing excessive upfront costs. The change modifies existing cost-sharing rules under the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009.

Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act This bill protects and preserves approximately 225,504 acres of federal land and waters in a specified area in the Rainy River Watershed of Superior National Forest in Minnesota from certain mining, such as sulfide-ore copper mining. (The area is upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.) Specifically, the bill withdraws those acres from  entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws. However, the Forest Service is authorized to permit the removal of sand, granite, iron ore, and taconite from national forest system lands within such area if the removal is not detrimental to the water quality, air quality, and health of forest habitat within the Rainy River Watershed. Land or interest in land within such area that is acquired by the United States must be immediately withdrawn in accordance with this bill.

Maddy summaryHR 566, the Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025, provides federal grants to air pollution control agencies to establish local programs targeting low-income households with vulnerable residents (such as those with health conditions or elderly members) in wildfire smoke-prone areas. The bill authorizes $30 million over three years to fund programs that must establish accessible clean air centers, distribute at least 1,000 free, certified air filtration units per program (with replacements), provide educational materials, and partner with community organizations. Agencies must track unit types and costs, survey participants on program effectiveness, and report results to Congress within three years. The program directly affects covered households by improving access to clean air during smoke events through tangible, funded support.

Maddy summaryThe Lumbee Fairness Act would grant federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, a status they have sought for decades. This recognition would make the tribe and its members eligible for all federal services and benefits provided to federally recognized tribes, including healthcare, housing, and education programs. The bill designates Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland counties in North Carolina as the tribe's service area for delivering these benefits, treating them as if they were on a reservation. It also authorizes the tribe to take land into trust and clarifies jurisdictional relationships with North Carolina regarding tribal lands.

Maddy summaryHR 507, the Veterans Member Business Loan Act, amends the Federal Credit Union Act to explicitly include loans made to veterans as qualifying "member business loans" under credit unions. This change directly affects veterans seeking business financing through federal credit unions, allowing them to access these loans under the same framework as other small business borrowers. The key mechanism is adding a new definition category ("made to a veteran") to the existing eligibility criteria for business loans, using the standard military definition of "veteran" from Title 38, U.S. Code. The bill does not create new funding or programs but expands existing credit union lending options to include veterans. This definition change takes effect six months after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 433, the Department of Education Protection Act, prohibits the use of federal funds to reorganize the Department of Education. Specifically, it blocks any spending from current fiscal year appropriations on activities that would decentralize the department, reduce staffing, or alter its structure, responsibilities, or authority relative to its organization as of January 1, 2025. The bill directly affects the Department of Education by preventing structural changes to its existing offices and operations. This is a procedural measure focused solely on preserving the current departmental framework, not on changing education policy or funding.

Maddy summaryThe READY Accounts Act creates a new tax-advantaged savings account that allows individuals to deduct up to $4,500 annually (adjusted for inflation) for contributions toward home disaster preparedness and recovery. These accounts can only be used for specific qualifying expenses, including disaster mitigation measures like reinforcing roofs, installing impact-resistant windows, or recovering from disaster damage like fire or storm. Contributions must be in cash, accounts must be administered by banks or approved entities, and distributions not used for qualifying expenses are taxable with a 20% additional tax penalty. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThe TRUST in Congress Act requires current and new Members of Congress, along with their spouses and dependent children, to place certain investments - such as stocks, commodities, and derivatives - into a blind trust within 90 to 180 days of taking office. It excludes U.S. Treasury securities and widely held mutual funds from this requirement and exempts investments tied to a spouse’s or dependent child’s primary job. Members must certify the trust’s setup to the House Clerk or Senate Secretary within 15 days, with these records posted publicly online. The act also prohibits dissolving such trusts until 180 days after a member leaves office.

Maddy summaryThis resolution appoints specific members to four standing committees of the House of Representatives: Appropriations, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, and Ways and Means. It lists the named representatives (e.g., Mr. Hoyer, Ms. DeGette, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. Doggett) who will serve on these committees for the 119th Congress. The resolution is a routine procedural step to fill committee positions after the new Congress convenes, with no policy changes or external effects. It directly affects the listed representatives by assigning their committee roles.

Maddy summaryThe Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution (HRES 23) would allow U.S. House Members who have given birth or whose spouse has given birth to appoint another Member as a proxy to cast their vote or record their presence in the House and committees for up to 12 weeks after childbirth. To use this, the new parent must submit a signed letter to the Clerk detailing the birth or medical condition and naming the proxy; the proxy must vote exactly as instructed and announce the vote as "by proxy." The proxy vote does not count toward quorum, and the new parent can revoke the proxy at any time by submitting a new letter or casting their own vote. This resolution applies to all House Members, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, though they cannot cast votes for the House itself.