Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Maddy summaryThe PRECISE Act amends existing agricultural programs to specifically support farmers adopting precision agriculture practices and technology. It expands eligibility under the Conservation Loan Program (Section 304 of the Farm and Rural Development Act) for loans covering precision agriculture tools like GPS guidance, soil sensors, and data software. Farmers using these loans can also receive increased payments through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), with costs for precision agriculture practices covered up to 90% of expenses. The bill directly affects agricultural producers seeking to improve efficiency, reduce input waste, and enhance environmental outcomes through technology adoption.

Maddy summaryThe Fire Innovation Unit Act establishes a 7-year federal pilot program to test and deploy new wildfire prevention, detection, and response technologies. It connects private companies, nonprofits, and universities (covered entities) with government agencies like FEMA, tribal fire departments, and land management agencies (covered agencies) to jointly test technologies in real-world scenarios. Key provisions include identifying priority technology areas - such as remote sensing, safety equipment, community resilience tools, and autonomous systems - and requiring annual reports to Congress on costs, effectiveness, and procurement barriers. The program aims to accelerate the adoption of proven, cost-effective technologies through public-private partnerships, with the pilot ending seven years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Rural Electrification Act to update the Community Connect Grant Program's broadband speed requirements. It raises the minimum downstream speed to 100 Mbps and upstream speed to 20 Mbps for new grants, while increasing existing program standards from 10/1 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps. The bill also extends the program's deadline from 2023 to 2030 and broadens eligibility to include future broadband commitments under other funding programs. These changes directly affect rural communities and providers seeking federal broadband funding under this specific grant program.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames a U.S. Postal Service facility at 514 Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark, New Jersey, as the "Mildred Joyce Coleman Crump Post Office Building." All official references in federal documents, maps, or records to this specific post office location will now use the new name. The bill directly affects the Newark postal facility and its official documentation. (Procedural naming resolution; no policy changes.)

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual funding for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program from $10 million to $12 million, effective for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. It directly affects rural communities eligible for loans and grants under this program, which supports local economic development projects. The key mechanism is a specific funding amendment to Section 313B of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. This change extends and boosts financial resources for rural infrastructure and community initiatives without altering program eligibility or administration.

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 ensures FEMA can continue disaster relief payments during government funding gaps. It requires the agency to keep using existing Disaster Relief Fund money for active disaster assistance, emergency aid, and recovery programs - even if Congress hasn’t passed new funding. Essential staff handling these disbursements are protected from furloughs during such gaps, treated as "excepted" under federal law. The bill directly affects disaster victims receiving aid and FEMA employees managing relief operations during budget lapses.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies existing Transportation Department rules into law, requiring airlines to compensate passengers for significant flight delays. It directly affects airline passengers who experience domestic delays of 3+ hours or international delays of 6+ hours, mandating compensation of $200-$500 based on delay duration. The key provision enforces the April 2024 rules on refunds/consumer protections and transparency of airline fees, making these requirements legally binding. Airlines must now provide this compensation automatically without passenger dispute.

Maddy summaryHRES 915 formally recognizes the 1932-1933 Ukrainian famine, known as the Holodomor, as a genocide perpetrated by the Soviet Union. The resolution directly affects Ukrainian victims, survivors, and communities by affirming historical truth and condemning Soviet policies that intentionally starved millions. Key provisions include declaring the Holodomor a genocide, commemorating its victims, and condemning ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, including Vladimir Putin’s denial of Ukrainian sovereignty. This symbolic resolution aims to educate the public and align U.S. policy with historical facts about Soviet repression.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicaid programs to cover lung cancer biomarker testing for eligible enrollees, beginning January 1, 2027. It directly affects Medicaid recipients diagnosed with lung cancer who need these specific tests to guide treatment decisions. The key provision adds "lung cancer biomarker testing" as a mandatory benefit under Medicaid, amending the Social Security Act to require coverage for this diagnostic service. The change applies to all state Medicaid programs participating in the federal program, ensuring standardized access to this testing method. Coverage starts in 2027, with no additional state cost-sharing required for this specific test.