Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal funding for projects improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It allows states and local governments to use highway funds for connecting existing bike/pedestrian infrastructure (clause xxix) or reducing safety risks to vulnerable road users (clause xxx), with federal funding covering up to 100% of costs for these projects. The bill also creates flexible financing options, letting local safety plans (like Complete Streets or Vision Zero plans) count toward required local funding shares. It directly affects state transportation agencies and local governments administering federal highway safety programs. The key change is making 100% federal funding available for qualifying pedestrian and cyclist safety projects.

Maddy summaryHR 1990, the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025, amends tax rules for businesses to make research and development (R&D) costs more flexible. It allows companies to deduct R&D expenses immediately as business costs (instead of capitalizing them) or to spread these costs over a minimum 60-month period. The bill clarifies which R&D expenses qualify, excludes land improvements and mineral exploration costs, and ensures companies can claim R&D tax credits without conflict with expense treatment. This directly affects businesses that conduct R&D, changing how they account for these costs on tax returns starting for 2022 taxable years.

American Teacher Act This bill establishes grants to increase the minimum salary of public elementary and secondary school teachers. It also authorizes a national campaign regarding the value of the teaching profession. First, the bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award four-year grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to establish a minimum annual salary of $60,000 (to be adjusted annually for inflation) for these teachers. Second, the bill directs ED to award grants to eligible SEAs to provide cost-of-living adjustments to the annual base salary of teachers. Finally, the bill authorizes ED to carry out a national campaign to (1) increase awareness about the importance of teachers and the value of the teaching profession, (2) encourage secondary school and college students to consider teaching as a professional career, and (3) diversify the pool of individuals who enter the teaching profession.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides federal grants to public or nonprofit health care providers serving minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities to expand maternal and infant health services. It specifically funds prenatal, postnatal, and postpartum care while requiring grantees to offer culturally appropriate services and limit administrative costs to 10% of grant funds. Priority is given to organizations led by or located within the communities they serve, aiming to reduce racial and economic disparities in care access and health outcomes. The funding is authorized for fiscal years 2026-2030, with grantees required to coordinate with other federal maternal health programs to avoid duplication.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the non-consensual sharing of digitally manipulated intimate images (deepfakes) of identifiable people. It creates a civil right for victims to sue individuals who distribute such images without consent, allowing claims for actual damages, $150,000 in liquidated damages, or punitive damages, plus attorney fees. Criminal penalties up to 10 years in prison apply for malicious disclosure intended to harass, harm reputation, or facilitate violence. Exceptions include disclosures to law enforcement for investigations, legitimate public interest matters (excluding mere public figure status), or efforts to assist the victim. The law specifically defines "intimate digital depictions" to include explicit body parts, sexual fluids, or sexual conduct in manipulated images.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal for actor James Earl Jones to recognize his career achievements in theater and film. It directs the Treasury Secretary to strike a gold medal bearing his name, which will be presented to his son, Flynn Earl Jones, following Jones' passing. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. As a ceremonial honor with no policy changes, it does not affect legislation or government operations.

Maddy summaryHR 1954, the "Do No Harm Act," amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to clarify that RFRA does not override specific federal laws protecting against harm. It explicitly exempts provisions related to anti-discrimination (like the Civil Rights Act), workplace protections (wages, leave, collective activity), child safety, and healthcare access from RFRA's requirements. The bill ensures RFRA cannot be used to challenge government programs or contracts that provide these essential protections. It also clarifies that RFRA applies only to disputes involving government as a party, not private disputes between individuals. This change preserves existing legal safeguards while modifying RFRA's scope.

Maddy summaryHR 1868 creates tax relief for U.S. citizens wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad. It postpones tax filing deadlines and prevents penalties for tax liabilities during the period of detention, treating that time as if it did not occur for IRS purposes. The bill also establishes a refund program by January 2026 to return penalties and interest already paid during detention, covering taxpayers from 2021 through the bill's enactment date. Eligibility is determined by the State Department or Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, with the Treasury required to update systems and notify affected individuals. This directly affects U.S. nationals held captive or wrongfully detained, ensuring they aren't penalized for missed tax deadlines due to circumstances beyond their control.

Maddy summaryHR 1889, the *Cutting Red Tape on Child Care Providers Act of 2025*, prohibits states from creating regulatory barriers that restrict home-based child care providers from preparing fresh fruits and vegetables through simple methods like washing, peeling, or cutting. This directly affects home and family-based child care centers - serving roughly one-quarter of families, especially low-income, rural, and shift-work families - who face declining options due to complex food regulations. The bill amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to explicitly ban state restrictions on "simple food preparation" of minimally processed produce. It aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles that currently make serving fresh food harder than offering pre-packaged snacks, without changing nutritional standards.

Maddy summaryHR 1890, the Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act, directs the U.S. State Department to move responsibility for Turkey from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs within 90 days of enactment. This reassignment aims to better align U.S. diplomatic strategy with Turkey’s geographic and regional engagement, particularly given its shifting foreign policy toward non-Western partners and reduced ties with NATO/Europe. The bill requires a report to Congress within five years evaluating the reassignment’s effectiveness and suggesting further adjustments. It does not alter U.S. policy toward Turkey but changes how the State Department organizes its diplomatic focus for the country.