Rep. Herbert C. Conaway, Jr.

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for various agencies and offices within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), except for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and management and oversight activities of the Office of the Secretary. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to DHS for  the Federal Protective Service, the Office of Inspector General, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, and the Science and Technology Directorate. The bill does not provide appropriations for some agencies and activities that have been funded in prior DHS appropriations acts, including ICE, CBP, and management and oversight activities of the Office of the Secretary.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 6803) is a commemorative resolution that renames Newark Penn Station in Newark, New Jersey, as the "Donald M. Payne, Jr. Transit Center at Newark Penn Station." It does not create new policies or affect funding; it solely changes the official name of the transit station and all federal references to it. The designation honors Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., who represented New Jersey's 10th District and advocated for transit infrastructure during his service. The bill has no direct impact on transportation operations, riders, or policy - it is purely a ceremonial renaming.

Maddy summaryHJRES 144 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on December 31, 2025, which addressed "Reproductive Health Services" (90 Fed. Reg. 61310). This resolution directs Congress to disapprove the VA rule under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, meaning the rule would have no legal effect if passed. The bill directly affects the VA's implementation of reproductive health services for veterans, as it seeks to nullify the agency's existing policy. This is a procedural measure, not a substantive policy change, aimed solely at blocking the VA's rule through congressional action.

Maddy summaryThe Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Access Act expands eligibility for the federal microloan program to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), which was previously excluded. This change, made by amending the Small Business Act, allows small businesses in the CNMI to access low-interest loans through the same program currently available to businesses in Guam. The bill updates two sections of the law to insert "the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands" after "Guam" in eligibility requirements. As a result, CNMI small business owners will gain access to federal funding to support startup costs, equipment purchases, or business expansion.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 68 would require the President to remove U.S. military forces from Venezuela unless Congress has explicitly authorized their use through a declaration of war or a specific law. This applies to any U.S. Armed Forces currently stationed in Venezuela without such authorization. The resolution is based on the War Powers Resolution, which mandates congressional oversight of military deployments. It directs the immediate withdrawal of unapproved forces without adding new time limits or conditions.

Maddy summaryHRES 1004 is a symbolic House resolution honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy by celebrating diversity and condemning hate. It specifically calls for the House to celebrate his 97th birthday on January 19, 2026, and to condemn harassment, discrimination, or prejudice targeting Black Americans, Indigenous people, Jewish, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Muslim, Hispanic/Latino communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The resolution affirms Dr. King’s teachings on unity and equality but does not create new laws or impose obligations on any entity. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect and directly affects no individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryHR 7100 establishes a Department of Justice Task Force on Anti-Sikh Hate and Discrimination to address systemic bias against Sikhs. The Task Force must draft a formal definition of anti-Sikh hate for DOJ use, develop educational programs for law enforcement and schools, and produce annual reports on hate crimes and trends. It requires quarterly collaboration with Sikh organizations and translation of materials into Punjabi. The bill directly affects Sikhs in the U.S. (who face disproportionate targeting as noted in FBI data) and mandates federal agencies to improve hate crime data collection and response. This is a policy-focused measure to standardize definitions, enhance reporting, and support community safety through DOJ action.

Maddy summaryHRES 996 is a resolution introduced by multiple House members to impeach Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, for alleged violations of law and the Constitution. It outlines three articles of impeachment: obstructing congressional oversight by denying access to detention facilities and withholding funds, violating public trust through warrantless arrests and excessive force (including tear gas on children), and self-dealing by awarding federal contracts to associates without competitive bidding. If approved by the House, this resolution would formally charge Noem, triggering a Senate trial to determine her removal from office. The resolution itself does not enact new policy but initiates the constitutional impeachment process against a sitting Cabinet official.

Maddy summaryThis bill would increase the base pay for Federal Bureau of Prisons correctional officers by 35 percent, replacing their current base rate for all pay calculations (including retirement and locality adjustments). It applies to officers whose duties involve inmate custody, control, or direct custodial contact, including certain supervisory staff and lower-grade Bureau of Prisons employees with similar duties. The pay increase is capped at the Executive Schedule level V rate and would expire after five years unless a Department of Justice Inspector General review finds progress in reducing non-custodial staff use for custodial duties and excessive overtime. The review, required 180 days before expiration, would assess impacts on recruitment, retention, and institutional safety.

Maddy summaryHR 6088, the *Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025*, repeals specific sections (10101-10108) from a prior reconciliation law. This action revives previous provisions related to food security programs that were modified by those repealed sections. The bill directly affects federal food assistance and agricultural support programs by restoring their prior legal framework. It does not create new policies but reverses recent changes to existing food security measures.