Rep. Sean Casten

Maddy summaryHR 2948, the Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act of 2025, authorizes $360 million annually from 2025-2027 to fund gun buyback programs across the country. The bill creates a grant program for states, local governments, tribal governments, and eligible gun dealers to collect firearms from individuals using "smart prepaid cards" that cannot be used to purchase guns. Participants would pay 125% of a gun's market value (with possible increases for modified weapons) and must destroy all collected firearms and ammunition within 30 days. The program requires criminal background checks on all collected weapons and prohibits reselling any guns obtained through the initiative, with a new federal criminal provision making it illegal to use these cards for firearm transactions.

Maddy summaryHR 2910, the Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2025, establishes a federal grant program to fund community-based organizations in creating after-school and out-of-school-time workforce readiness programs for youth aged 6-18. The bill authorizes $100 million annually (2026-2030) to support activities like career pathway planning, paid work experiences (including apprenticeships), occupational skill training aligned with local job needs, and employer partnerships. It directly affects eligible youth - particularly those in underserved communities - and requires grantees to coordinate with schools, employers, and local workforce boards, while mandating youth councils to advise on program design. The program emphasizes measurable outcomes, including improved school attendance, skill development, and transitions to postsecondary education or employment.

Maddy summaryThe "You Earned It, You Keep It Act" (HR 2909) would exempt wages above $250,000 from Social Security taxes after 2025 and include income over $250,000 in Social Security benefit calculations. It applies to high-wage earners and self-employed individuals whose income exceeds this threshold, with special provisions for those receiving wages from multiple employers. The bill modifies how Social Security taxes are calculated by removing the tax on income above $250,000 and adjusts benefit formulas to count that income toward future payments. These changes would affect how Social Security taxes are paid and benefits are determined for high earners beginning in 2026.

Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment Act or the WISE Act This bill expands eligibility for U nonimmigrant visas (victims of criminal activity) and prohibits immigration enforcement activities in specified areas. Generally, U visas are for victims of specified crimes (e.g., rape, trafficking, or domestic violence) who assist with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. The bill adds hate crimes, child abuse, and elder abuse as crimes that may qualify a victim for a U visa and removes criteria related to the victim's assistance with the investigation or prosecution of the crime.   Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must provide work authorization to U visa applicants, whereas currently DHS may grant work authorization but is not required to do so. The bill also eliminates the annual numerical cap on U visas.  The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that certain individuals, including U visa applicants and T visa (victims of human trafficking) applicants, shall not be detained while the application is pending. Additionally, the bill provides immigration-related protections, such as by extending the admission period and providing work authorization, to the spouse or child of a nonimmigrant visa holder who subjected that spouse or child to battery or extreme cruelty. Further, the bill prohibits, with some exceptions for exigent circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection from conducting immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a school, health care facility, place of worship, or other location specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryHR 2837 establishes an Advisory Council under the Department of Health and Human Services to improve access to existing resources for victims of gun violence. The council, composed of federal agency heads and appointed victims/support professionals, will assess needs, identify effective programs, and compile a public resource hub with contact information for medical, financial, mental health, legal, and government support services. It requires a detailed report within 180 days of enactment and a follow-up report within two years, focusing on gaps in current assistance and coordination. The bill directly affects individuals defined as victims of gun violence (including those wounded, threatened, witnessing incidents, or related to victims) and aims to connect them to existing federal, state, and nonprofit resources without authorizing new funding. The council will sunset after five years.

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.

Climate Change Financial Risk Act of 2025 This bill addresses climate change risk and its potential impact on the financial system. The Federal Reserve Board must develop financial risk analyses relating to climate change for certain large nonbank financial companies and bank holding companies. Specifically, these entities must be evaluated every two years on whether they have the capital necessary to absorb financial losses that would arise under several different climate change risk scenarios. In response to the results of the evaluation, entities must develop and submit for approval a climate risk resolution plan. The plan must include a capital policy with respect to climate risk planning and targets to remedy identified vulnerabilities. If the plan is not approved, the entity’s ability to make capital distributions is restricted.  The bill also establishes the Climate Risk Scenario Technical Development Group to provide recommendations to the board regarding climate change risk scenarios, and determine the financial and economic risks of these scenarios. The board must develop a survey to assess (1) the ability of other large financial institutions to withstand each scenario, (2) which surveyed entities have activities in geographical areas or industries that are significantly exposed to the impacts of climate change, and (3) how these surveyed entities plan to adapt to risks presented in each scenario.

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 summaryThis resolution (HRES 250) is procedural, designed to expedite the House's consideration of H.R. 1101. It waives standard rules to allow immediate debate on H.R. 1101, which would prohibit unlawful access to the Treasury's payment systems. The resolution sets one hour of debate (equally divided between leadership and the minority) and waives all amendments or procedural objections. It directly affects House procedures for this specific bill, not the policy itself.

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.