Rep. Sarah McBride

Maddy summaryHR 2831, the Small Business Energy Loan Enhancement Act, doubles the maximum loan amounts for certain small business energy projects under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, raising the cap from $5.5 million to $10 million for two specific loan categories. This directly affects small businesses seeking financing for energy-related investments, such as efficiency upgrades or renewable energy installations. The bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to annually report to Congress on which industries and geographic areas receive these loans. These changes aim to increase access to capital for qualifying energy projects without altering eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHR 2881, the COAST Anti-Drilling Act of 2025, prohibits the federal government from issuing new oil and gas leases in four specific coastal planning areas: the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida. This directly affects the Department of the Interior (specifically the Secretary) and oil and gas companies seeking to explore or develop resources in these regions. The bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to ban all new leasing authorizations in these areas, as defined by the 2024-2029 leasing program notice. It does not affect existing leases or operations but prevents future development in these designated coastal zones.

Maddy summaryHR 2868, the SAVE Our Poultry Act, directs federal funding toward research on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to protect the poultry industry. It authorizes grants to land-grant universities for two key purposes: developing more effective poultry vaccines (including cross-species testing, improved formulations, and delivery methods) and enhancing biosecurity practices for producers (such as evaluating farm-level interventions and new disinfection methods). The bill directly affects poultry producers by aiming to reduce disease risks and market disruptions, and land-grant universities as recipients of the research grants. It does not create new regulations but focuses on scientific research to address HPAI threats.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 91 terminates the national emergency declared by the President on April 2, 2025, under Executive Order 14257. The resolution ends this emergency status by invoking Section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622). This action would halt the use of emergency powers associated with the declaration, such as special authorities or funding mechanisms. The bill directly affects federal agencies and the executive branch by removing the legal basis for operating under the emergency framework.

Maddy summaryThe GOSAFE Act prohibits the sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices (those holding more than 10 rounds). It defines gas-operated firearms as those that use gas from fired cartridges to cycle the action, requiring the Attorney General to publish a list of prohibited firearms within 180 days. The bill establishes a process for manufacturers to seek approval for new firearm designs before selling to civilians and creates a "Firearm Safety Trust Fund" to cover related costs. Certain firearms are exempt, including single-shot, muzzle-loading, and firearms with permanently fixed magazines holding 10 or fewer rounds. Violations could result in fines up to $5,000 or up to 12 months in prison.

Maddy summaryHR 2767, the BRAIN Act, aims to advance brain tumor research and improve patient care by requiring the NIH to create a public database of tumor samples collected with federal funding. It authorizes $50 million annually for a Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network to accelerate treatment development and $10 million for cellular immunotherapy research (including CAR-T therapies) targeting brain tumors. The bill also mandates a national awareness campaign to increase understanding of cancer clinical trials and biomarker testing, plus $5 million yearly for pilot programs studying survivor care coordination and follow-up services. Additionally, it directs the FDA to issue guidance ensuring brain tumor patients can access clinical trials. These provisions directly affect patients, researchers, and healthcare providers focused on brain tumors and rare cancers.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the income limit for deducting mortgage insurance premiums on federal income taxes. It doubles the cap from $100,000 (or $50,000 for married filing separately) to $200,000 (or $100,000 for married filing separately) under IRS Code Section 163(h)(3)(E), making the deduction permanent for qualifying taxpayers. The change directly affects middle-income homeowners who pay mortgage insurance premiums and itemize deductions on their tax returns. The policy takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThe American Family Act (HR 2763) establishes a new refundable child tax credit that provides monthly payments to eligible families with children. It would pay $300 per month for each child under age 6 and $360 per month (120% of $300) for each child age 6 or older, with income limits of $150,000 for joint filers and $112,500 for other filers. The bill creates a "period of presumptive eligibility" to determine eligibility for monthly payments, allowing families to receive advance payments based on information from previous tax returns. This would directly affect millions of families with children who meet the income requirements, providing more consistent financial support throughout the year rather than an annual tax credit.

Maddy summaryHR 2799, the Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025, prohibits the sale, possession, and modification of devices that increase the firing rate of semi-automatic firearms to mimic machine guns (commonly called "bump stocks"). It specifically bans manual, power-driven, or electronic devices designed to speed up firing, as well as modified firearms that achieve this effect. Owners of pre-existing modified firearms must register them within 120 days of the law's enactment, with exemptions for government entities and firearms already lawfully modified and registered before the bill passes. The bill does not restrict standard semi-automatic firearms or require registration of unmodified guns.

Maddy summaryHR 1793, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve access to vocational rehabilitation services for veterans with service-connected disabilities. The bill mandates a dedicated VA hotline, updated regional office websites with contact details, and requires VA counselors to hold monthly staff Q&A sessions and provide in-person briefings at local educational institutions (or virtual briefings for institutions over 150 miles away). It also requires the VA to submit an annual report detailing the number of veterans requesting, receiving, and being denied extensions to their rehabilitation program periods. These provisions directly affect veterans using VA vocational rehabilitation programs and VA regional office staff responsible for delivering those services.