Rep. Valerie P. Foushee

Maddy summaryThis bill nullifies a specific decision made by the Endangered Species Committee regarding oil and gas operations in the Gulf of America. It immediately cancels any exemptions previously granted to these activities under the Endangered Species Act and bars federal agencies from using funds to enforce the canceled order. For a three-year period starting when the bill is enacted, the committee is prohibited from issuing any new exemptions for Gulf oil and gas projects. Consequently, all standard environmental protections required by the Endangered Species Act will continue to apply fully to these activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal tax on money received by former U.S. presidents, their immediate family members, or their controlled businesses from civil lawsuits against the government. Under the law, any settlement or verdict awarded to these individuals would be subject to a 100 percent tax, and the payments would not be counted as taxable income for other purposes. To enforce this, the bill requires trustees and administrators to file public reports detailing these payments and imposes a $10,000 penalty for failing to do so. These rules would apply to any funds received on or after May 20, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026 raises the minimum salary required for certain employees to be exempt from federal overtime pay rules, starting at $45,000 per year and increasing annually until it reaches $75,000 by 2029. The bill also mandates that this threshold automatically updates each year to match the 55th percentile of weekly earnings for full-time salaried workers nationwide, with adjustments taking effect based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Additionally, the law modifies the duties test for exemption, requiring that at least 20 percent of an employee's time be spent on executive or administrative tasks rather than the current 40 percent standard. These changes directly affect employers and workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act by redefining eligibility for overtime exemptions and establishing a new mechanism for adjusting salary requirements over time.

Maddy summaryThe Supporting Women COPS Act of 2026 creates a 12-member Task Force to study and recommend national hiring standards for law enforcement that do not disadvantage women based on sex. This group will also provide advice on improving retention for female officers and helping them advance to leadership positions. States that adopt these recommendations will receive an additional 5 percent of their federal crime control funding, and the Attorney General will offer technical assistance to help states implement the standards. The Task Force must submit its findings and recommendations to Congress within 18 months of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act allocates $200 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve data collection, surveillance, and research on how public health emergencies affect pregnant and postpartum individuals. This funding supports efforts to gather detailed demographic information on maternal health outcomes, establish regional centers of excellence, and expand surveys to better reach underrepresented communities. The legislation also requires the CDC to make this data publicly available in a disaggregated format while protecting patient privacy, and mandates public education campaigns to ensure accurate information reaches families and healthcare providers. Additionally, the bill creates a diverse task force to develop federal recommendations for respectful maternity care during emergencies, addressing issues such as telehealth access, doula coverage, and the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. These measures aim to reduce health disparities and improve care quality for pregnant people from racial and ethnic minority groups during public health crises.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution directs the President to end the use of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities against Iran unless a formal declaration of war or specific military authorization is granted. The measure allows the U.S. to continue defending itself, maintain a defensive troop presence in the region, and conduct intelligence activities without disrupting national security efforts. It clarifies that ending active combat does not authorize any new use of military force.

Maddy summaryThe Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 mandates that all public schools provide free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, regardless of income. It establishes specific funding rates for these meals, adjusts payments based on the use of locally sourced food, and eliminates the ability of schools to collect debt for unpaid charges. Additionally, the bill expands free meal access to summer programs, afterschool care, and incarcerated juveniles while updating poverty measurement standards across various federal education and nutrition laws.

Maddy summaryThe IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act authorizes federal grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to fund long-term improvements to their campus facilities and infrastructure. These grants are awarded competitively to eligible HBCUs based on criteria such as the age of their facilities, deferred maintenance needs, financial capacity, and student enrollment levels. Recipients may use the funds to construct or renovate buildings, upgrade technology and broadband systems, improve safety measures, and develop workforce training hubs, while being prohibited from using the money for routine maintenance or athletic facilities. The legislation also includes provisions for reporting on project outcomes and requires institutions to create comprehensive master plans that involve consultation with diverse campus and community stakeholders.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution condemns the ongoing civil war in Sudan and calls for an end to external support provided to the warring parties, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. It urges the Trump Administration to stop supplying weapons or other assistance to these groups and to negotiate a peaceful settlement that restores democratic governance. The bill also highlights the severe humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people and demands that aid workers be granted safe, unrestricted access to deliver essential supplies. Additionally, it calls on the international community to support post-conflict reconstruction and establish a justice mechanism to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable.

Maddy summaryThe YALI Act of 2025 establishes the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) to support emerging leaders in sub-Saharan Africa aged 18-35, focusing on business, civic engagement, and public administration. It creates at least four regional leadership centers in Africa for training, expands the Mandela Washington Fellowship (for 25-35-year-olds with demonstrated leadership), and requires annual reports on program outcomes. The bill mandates partnerships with private sector entities to fund networking, entrepreneurship, and leadership development, while requiring the State Department to submit implementation plans within 180 days of enactment. The program expires five years after enactment, with reports assessing its impact on U.S.-Africa relations, including trade, governance, and youth empowerment.