Rep. Sharice Davids

Maddy summaryHR 6391, the Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act, repeals Section 3003 of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act that would have transferred Oak Flat (2,422 acres in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest) to Resolution Copper for mining. The bill withdraws Oak Flat from all public land use, preventing the foreign-owned mining venture (Rio Tinto/BHP) from extracting copper beneath the site for export to China. It directly protects the area, which is a sacred site for Indigenous peoples and a National Register Historic Property, from a mine projected to consume 250 billion gallons of groundwater over 40 years and cause significant land subsidence. The bill halts a process that would have allowed foreign corporations to mine copper from public land without requiring domestic smelting or benefiting U.S. consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $50 million annual federal fund to support transportation infrastructure for U.S. cities hosting major international sporting events like the Olympics, Paralympics, or FIFA World Cup. It provides grants to eligible entities - including host cities, nearby jurisdictions within 100 miles, and transportation agencies - to fund permanent transportation projects (e.g., road improvements, transit upgrades) that aid event logistics or mitigate traffic impacts, but excludes temporary event infrastructure or bid preparation costs. Assistance is limited to the 5-year period before an event begins through 30 days after it ends. The bill directly affects communities selected to host these events and their surrounding regions, ensuring federal support for sustainable transportation planning tied to the events.

Maddy summaryHR 6093, the Agricultural Cooperative Energy Savings Act of 2025, expands eligibility for certain USDA programs to include agricultural cooperatives with fewer than 2,500 employees. This change directly affects smaller agricultural cooperatives that previously did not qualify under existing rules. The bill amends Section 9007(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to add these cooperatives to the list of eligible participants. The key mechanism is simply broadening the definition of qualifying entities for existing USDA program access. This is a procedural change to eligibility criteria, not a new program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative" under the USDA, directing the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize funding through six existing USDA programs (like rural business grants and essential community facilities loans) for projects addressing childcare availability, quality, or cost in rural and agricultural communities. It specifically prioritizes applications from providers in farming-dependent counties (using USDA 2015 county typology) and requires balanced geographic distribution of funds across rural areas. The initiative runs from fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with the USDA required to evaluate outcomes and report findings to Congress within three years. It directly affects rural childcare providers, families in underserved communities, and existing USDA grant programs.

Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority with respect to research on rare pediatric diseases, including by permitting the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to satisfy pediatric study requirements and by reauthorizing programs that support pediatric research.  Specifically, the bill modifies requirements relating to molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations to permit research on new drugs in combination with active ingredients that have already been approved, provided certain conditions are met; permits the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to comply with pediatric study requirements, if such sponsors demonstrated a lack of due diligence in satisfying the requirement; renews the FDA’s authority to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of new products intended to treat rare pediatric diseases through September 30, 2029; and reauthorizes through FY2027 certain funding for the National Institutes of Health to support priority pediatric research.  The bill also provides statutory authority for the FDA’s interpretation of the orphan drug exclusivity period. The bill specifies, consistent with FDA regulations, that the seven-year market exclusivity period for drugs for rare diseases or conditions (i.e., orphan drugs) prohibits the approval of the same drug for the same approved use or indication with respect to the disease or condition. (In Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra , a court rejected the FDA’s interpretation and held that orphan drug exclusivity extends to all uses or indications for the disease or condition.)

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal program to help low-income households pay for drinking water and wastewater services. It provides $500 million annually (2026-2030) in grants to states and tribes that already administer energy assistance programs, allowing them to cover past-due bills or other costs for households meeting specific income criteria (e.g., receiving certain federal benefits or earning ≤150% of the poverty level). The program prohibits using these funds to replace existing assistance and requires technical help to streamline eligibility. It directly affects low-income households in participating states and tribes, particularly those facing water affordability challenges.

Maddy summaryHRES 911 is a symbolic resolution recognizing National Native American Heritage Month (November 1-30) and Native American Heritage Day, as established by prior law. It urges the public to observe these occasions through programs that celebrate Native American cultures, heritages, and contributions to U.S. history, including fields like agriculture, medicine, military service, and language. The resolution does not create new legal requirements but formally acknowledges the ongoing significance of Native American communities and their historical impact. It aligns with existing congressional support for Tribal self-governance and honors the contributions of Native Americans as documented in the 2009 Native American Heritage Day Act.

Maddy summaryHR 6249, the "Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act," updates federal disaster relief guidelines to explicitly include substance use and alcohol use disorders in crisis counseling services. It amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act to allow FEMA-funded programs to address these issues alongside mental health needs for disaster survivors. The bill requires FEMA to revise application forms and guidance within 180 days to reflect these changes and mandates a GAO report on program duration and compliance with using funds only for disaster-related substance/alcohol issues. This directly affects disaster survivors facing substance use or alcohol challenges by expanding access to covered support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act to make water infrastructure financing more accessible to small communities and rural water projects. It lowers the maximum eligible project cost from $5 million to $1 million, provides technical assistance for small communities (population ≤ 25,000) to develop project proposals, and clarifies definitions to include projects for federally recognized Indian Tribes. The bill introduces collaborative project delivery methods like design-build and construction management at-risk, and authorizes $68 million annually for the EPA and $15 million annually for the Army Corps of Engineers through fiscal year 2029. These changes directly affect small communities and rural water projects seeking federal assistance for water infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryThe Native Arts and Culture Promotion Act amends the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Culture and Art Development Act to update governance for grants supporting Native Hawaiian art and culture. It requires that governing boards for these grants include Native Hawaiians and recognized experts in Native Hawaiian art, with members serving fixed terms. The bill also removes the word "private" from a section of the law, clarifying that such grants are not restricted to private entities. These changes specifically apply to Native Hawaiian cultural programs and do not alter funding or administration for other tribal groups.