Rep. James C. Moylan

Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of various crimes related to postal services (for example, assault on a postal service employee, breaking into a post office, or obstruction of mails). The bill also requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide that the assault or robbery of a postal employee shall be treated the same as the assault of a law enforcement officer. Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the USPS to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with electronic versions.

Maddy summaryHR 1102 establishes a commission to study the feasibility of creating a National Museum of Italian American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The commission, composed of 8 members appointed by congressional leaders, will examine factors like location options, costs, fundraising potential, and impacts on existing museums, and must report back within 18 months. It will not create the museum itself but will develop recommendations for Congress on whether to proceed, with all funding coming from private sources - no federal funds may be used for the commission’s work. The bill focuses solely on the study process, not on building or operating the museum.

Maddy summaryHR 1024, the US-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act, terminates the application of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 to Kazakhstan. This means the U.S. will no longer apply special trade restrictions tied to Kazakhstan's emigration policies, as Kazakhstan has been found compliant since 1997. The bill allows the President to determine that Title IV no longer applies and extend normal trade relations (NTR) treatment to Kazakhstan's products. As a result, Kazakhstan's exports to the U.S. will be subject to standard U.S. trade rules rather than the specific Title IV provisions.

Maddy summaryHR 942, the "Banning SPR Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act," prohibits the export of petroleum products drawn from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, and any entity owned or controlled by these countries or the Chinese Communist Party. The Secretary of Energy may grant a waiver for such exports if certified as serving U.S. national security interests, but must issue implementing rules within 60 days of enactment. This policy directly affects U.S. energy exports and entities seeking to purchase SPR oil from the listed adversaries.

Maddy summaryThe Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act of 2024 establishes a new standard for determining reasonable shipping rates in domestic ocean trade between noncontiguous U.S. states, such as Hawaii or Alaska and the contiguous United States. It defines a reasonable rate as one falling within 10 percent of a comparable international ocean rate index recognized by the Federal Maritime Commission. This change directly affects shipping companies operating these routes and the Federal Maritime Commission, which will use this metric to evaluate rate reasonableness. The bill does not create new regulations but provides a specific, measurable benchmark for assessing rates in this specific shipping context.

Maddy summaryHR 664, the American Seabed Protection Act, prohibits U.S. federal authorization for commercial mining of minerals on the deep seabed and Outer Continental Shelf, affecting mining companies and developers seeking permits. It bans exploration, development, and production of hardrock minerals in these areas, with exceptions only for scientific research. The bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to commission a National Academies study within 90 days to assess environmental impacts - including effects on ecosystems, carbon sequestration, fisheries, and indigenous communities - and evaluate alternatives like mineral recycling. The study must be submitted to Congress, focusing on concrete data rather than future policy. This is a substantive policy change banning seabed mining activities while mandating scientific review.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an exemption allowing foreign-registered freight vessels (over 1,000 gross tons, foreign-built, with U.S. crew) to transport goods between U.S. territories (like Hawaii or Alaska) and the mainland without complying with standard U.S. coastwise trade rules. It requires these vessels to hold a U.S. Coast Guard certificate of documentation and meet specific registration criteria. The bill also mandates that all vessels - U.S. or foreign - operating in U.S. coastwise trade must follow minimum U.S. labor and environmental standards. This directly affects foreign shipping companies seeking to serve U.S. territory routes while maintaining compliance with U.S. regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 663 directs the U.S. government to oppose deep seabed mining permits and exploration internationally. It requires the President to instruct U.S. representatives in global organizations to advocate for a moratorium on such mining and to block financial support for it. The bill mandates that no U.S. support for seabed mining can resume until the International Seabed Authority establishes binding regulations proven to protect marine ecosystems through scientific consensus. This affects U.S. policy in international ocean governance forums, requiring certification that regulations are scientifically sound and environmentally protective before any U.S. approval. The bill focuses on procedural requirements for international regulatory frameworks, not domestic mining activities.

Maddy summaryHR 665, the Noncontiguous Shipping Competition Act, modifies U.S. coastwise shipping laws to allow certain noncontiguous trade routes (like Hawaii to California) to operate without the usual requirement that only U.S.-built, U.S.-owned vessels serve those routes. It exempts such shipping unless at least three separate vessel operators (not under common ownership) each transport at least 20% of the goods on the route. This directly affects shipping companies operating on noncontiguous routes and the existing coastwise-qualified vessel operators who must meet these specific volume and ownership conditions to maintain their exclusive right. The bill creates a clearer pathway for new competition on these routes by establishing objective criteria for when the coastwise law applies.

Maddy summaryHR 878, the Katrina and Leslie Schaller Act, extends the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to residents of Guam. The bill directly affects Guam residents who would now qualify for federal SSI benefits, which provide financial assistance to low-income elderly, disabled, or blind individuals. Key provisions amend the Social Security Act to remove Guam from exclusion lists in multiple sections, including defining Guam as part of the "United States" for SSI eligibility and eliminating payment limits for Guam under certain programs. The bill also grants the Social Security Commissioner authority to waive requirements to better adapt SSI for Guam's needs. This policy change formally includes Guam in the federal SSI program, effective one year after enactment.