Rep. Michael Lawler

Maddy summaryThis bill would require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create a free, standardized exam that individuals could take to qualify as accredited investors, replacing the current income or net worth requirements. It directly affects natural persons seeking accredited investor status who do not meet existing financial thresholds. The exam would test knowledge on securities types, disclosure rules, financial statements, private investment risks (like limited liquidity and information asymmetry), and conflicts of interest. The SEC must establish the exam within one year and have it administered free of charge by a registered securities association within 180 days of launch.

Maddy summaryThe Financial Technology Protection Act of 2025 creates a new government working group to study how terrorists and criminals use digital assets (like cryptocurrencies) and emerging technologies for illicit activities. The group, composed of federal agencies (Treasury, FBI, Justice, Homeland Security, etc.) and private sector representatives from fintech, blockchain, and privacy organizations, will research threats and develop proposals to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism efforts. It must submit annual reports to Congress for four years, detailing findings and recommendations, and will terminate after that period. The bill also requires the President to submit a public report within 180 days on how foreign actors might exploit digital assets to evade sanctions, along with a strategy to prevent such misuse.

Maddy summaryHR 1522, the Federal Retirement Fairness Act, changes federal retirement rules to include temporary employees' service after January 1, 1988, in retirement benefit calculations. It directly affects temporary federal employees (including U.S. Postal Service workers) and Members of Congress who served after that date. The bill removes a previous cutoff date in retirement law, allowing their temporary service to count toward retirement eligibility. This means eligible temporary workers can now have their full service period considered when calculating retirement benefits.

Maddy summaryThe SUPPLY Act establishes a federal program to insure second loans (additional financing) for building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family properties. This insurance, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, covers up to 30% of a standard one-unit home loan amount or 100% of the property value after construction (with potential increases based on 50% of projected rental income). Homeowners seeking to add ADUs - such as backyard cottages, converted basements, or detached units - can use this insurance to secure financing, with a government premium of up to 1% annually. The bill also requires Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase and securitize these insured loans, potentially expanding access to ADU financing.

Maddy summaryThe Jobs in the Woods Act establishes a federal grant program to fund career training in forestry operations and products industries. It provides competitive grants (ranging from $500,000 to $2 million over up to 4 years) to eligible entities like nonprofits, states, tribes, or community colleges in targeted rural areas. These areas must be nonmetropolitan low-income communities, have broadband access, or have populations under 50,000. Grants require applicants to demonstrate regional need, plan for program sustainability, partner with schools, and address aging workforces or youth migration. The program is funded at $10 million annually from 2026 through 2030.

Maddy summaryThe Innovate to Save Lives Act creates a new 10% federal tax credit for small businesses that spend money on research to combat specific drug threats. It directly affects small businesses conducting qualifying research focused on mitigating the effects of fentanyl, methamphetamine, or emerging drugs designated as threats. The credit applies to eligible research expenses related to discovering ways to treat drug use, prevent it, or reduce its harm, excluding most clinical research unless it follows NIH guidelines. The bill defines "fentanyl-related substances" by specific chemical structures and requires a government report five years after enactment to track the credit's use.

Maddy summaryHR 4497, the Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025, amends the Stafford Act to explicitly include "extreme heat" in the definition of a "major disaster" alongside events like floods and droughts. This change would allow communities experiencing severe, life-threatening heatwaves to qualify for federal disaster assistance under existing Stafford Act programs. The bill directly affects local governments and residents in areas hit by extreme heat events that meet the new definition, enabling them to access federal aid previously unavailable for heat emergencies. It does not create new programs or funding but adjusts eligibility criteria for current disaster relief mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Medicare from paying for orthotics or prosthetics delivered directly to patients without in-person training from a qualified provider (a "drop shipment"), ensuring beneficiaries receive proper fitting and use instructions. It expands the list of healthcare providers who can prescribe these devices to include physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthotists, and prosthetists. The bill also specifically requires Medicare to cover replacements for custom-fitted orthotics and custom-fabricated orthotic devices, aligning with existing rules for prosthetic replacements. These changes aim to improve patient safety and access to properly fitted devices under Medicare.

Maddy summaryThe Holy Sovereignty Protection Act ensures that U.S. citizens elected as Pope (head of the Roman Catholic Church) cannot lose their U.S. citizenship. It also grants these individuals federal income tax exemption during their papacy, covering taxable years ending after May 8, 2025. The citizenship protection takes effect immediately upon enactment, while the tax exemption applies starting in 2025. This bill directly affects U.S. citizens who become Pope, with no broader public impact.

Maddy summaryHR 4531, the BANNED in Latin America Act, requires the U.S. Secretary of State to create a strategy within 180 days to counter Iranian and Hezbollah influence operations in Latin America. The strategy must include specific actions like limiting Iranian cultural centers promoting Iranian ideology, restricting travel of Iranian agents through visa denials or sanctions, strengthening U.S. intelligence monitoring of these networks, disrupting Iranian media platforms (HispanTV) and Hezbollah media (Al Mayadeen Espanol), and addressing Al Mustafa International University's radicalization role. The bill directly affects Iranian and Hezbollah entities operating in Latin America through diplomatic, financial, and travel restrictions. It mandates this strategy be submitted to Congress, with specific provisions targeting their propaganda, cultural, and media activities. The bill focuses on concrete policy mechanisms to counter these groups' influence, not on direct sanctions or military action.