Rep. Zachary Nunn

Maddy summaryHR 6867 establishes an Office of Conservation Innovation within the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), directly affecting NRCS conservation programs and the agricultural practices they support. The office will revise existing conservation standards, recommend interim standards, and propose new standards for practices like soil health, water management, and sustainable grazing. It requires the Chief to detail up to six technical specialists with expertise in areas including agronomy, water conservation, animal husbandry, and forest ecology. Funding for this office will come from existing annual appropriations for NRCS conservation operations, not new legislation.

Maddy summaryHR 6877, the Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act, requires the USDA to regularly review and update environmental protection practices on farms. It mandates a 5-year review cycle for all conservation standards, includes public input processes, and creates a faster pathway for adopting new or improved practices. Farmers and landowners participating in USDA conservation programs will directly experience these changes through updated guidelines and more transparent decision-making. The bill also establishes a streamlined process for developing interim standards that can become permanent, based on public feedback, technological advances, and state recommendations, all using existing conservation funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to coordinate on healthcare cybersecurity through a dedicated liaison. It mandates updated sector-specific risk management plans for healthcare facilities, including analysis of cybersecurity challenges for rural and small providers, medical device vulnerabilities, and breach response. The law establishes a process to identify "high-risk" healthcare facilities (like major hospitals) for prioritized security support. These provisions directly affect hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers handling sensitive patient data.

Maddy summaryThe SAFER at the Border Act prohibits the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from temporarily admitting (paroling) certain individuals at the border. It defines "known terrorists" (those arrested, charged, or convicted for terrorism), "suspected terrorists" (reasonably suspected of terrorism), and "special interest aliens" (those with potential terrorism links based on travel patterns). The bill explicitly bans parole for these individuals, even for humanitarian reasons or public benefit, and also prohibits parole for refugees. Additionally, it allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security if they suffer financial harm exceeding $100 from the parole of such individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to provide midwife services through TRICARE, the military healthcare system, for service members and their families. It requires the Secretary of Defense to begin the pilot within one year of enactment and mandates detailed annual reports on costs, beneficiary demographics, health outcomes (like pre-term births), patient satisfaction, and access metrics. The program would only include midwives certified under international standards and state licensing requirements. If the pilot demonstrates success in improving care and outcomes, the Secretary may make the program permanent.

Maddy summaryHR 9315 requires the Treasury Secretary to submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment, analyzing coordination between public and private sectors - including financial institutions and cybersecurity entities - in responding to ransomware attacks on financial institutions. The report must cover current information sharing practices, agency access to attack data, the usefulness of reported information for prevention/investigation, and potential policy improvements to enhance public-private partnerships. It directly affects financial institutions (as defined under 31 U.S.C. §5312(a)) and relevant government agencies by mandating a review of existing reporting and coordination mechanisms. The bill does not create new obligations or funding but seeks to identify gaps and recommend enhancements to streamline ransomware response. A briefing on the report’s findings is also required 15 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 9304, the Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act, requires the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to conduct a comprehensive review of stomach cancer incidence, risk factors, screening effectiveness, and current awareness efforts in the U.S. The review will specifically examine high-risk populations, the role of H. pylori infection, endoscopic screening methods, and public and provider education. Within 18 months of enactment, the NCI must submit a report to Congress with recommendations for defining high-risk groups, improving detection methods for precancerous conditions, establishing screening guidelines, and enhancing research and prevention efforts. This bill directly affects public health systems, healthcare providers, and individuals at higher risk for stomach cancer by aiming to inform future prevention strategies and screening protocols.

Maddy summaryThe Secure DOD Act prohibits the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) from acquiring information technology products manufactured, produced, or assembled by companies connected to China (defined as "covered companies") for new contracts entered after its effective date. Exceptions allow continued use of existing systems or replacements for pre-enactment acquisitions, and the Secretary of Defense may grant up to one-year waivers if compliant alternatives aren't available at U.S. market prices. Waivers require congressional notification within 30 days and demand proof the DoD is actively seeking compliant products. The ban takes effect five years after enactment, targeting only DoD procurement of IT products that process, store, or transmit digital data.

Tax Fairness for Survivors Act  This bill excludes from gross income, for income and payroll tax purposes, amounts received in connection with a claim of unlawful discrimination  as judgments, awards, or settlements with respect to assault or sexual harassment claims.

Maddy summaryHR 9299, the IRAN Act, requires the U.S. Secretary of State to lead federal efforts promoting internet freedom and access to information in Iran. It amends a 2012 law to mandate specific strategy updates, including evaluating how activists use virtual private networks (VPNs) and satellite tech, developing guidance to prevent sanctions from blocking internet tools for Iranians, and planning to bypass government internet blackouts. The bill directs the State Department to coordinate with Treasury, Commerce, USAID, and intelligence agencies to implement these updates. This affects U.S. government agencies' coordination and aims to improve internet access for Iranian civil society activists.