Rep. Mike Kennedy

Maddy summaryHR 6447, the CCP IP Act, requires the President to impose sanctions on Chinese individuals and entities found to engage in significant intellectual property theft from U.S. persons. Key mechanisms include freezing assets of targeted individuals or organizations and barring them from entering the United States via visa restrictions. The bill also specifically restricts visas for senior Chinese Communist Party officials, their family members, cabinet members, and active-duty military personnel. It mandates reports to Congress within 180 days detailing sanctioned individuals and assessing visa screening effectiveness against IP theft. The law includes provisions for case-by-case sanctions waivers and termination if the Chinese government ceases IP infringement efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 6466, the Forced Abortion Prevention and Accountability Act, prohibits non-consensual administration of abortion drugs (like mifepristone or misoprostol) to pregnant women without their informed consent. It criminalizes this act with penalties up to 25 years in prison and allows victims to sue for triple damages, psychological/physical injury compensation, and attorney fees. The bill directly affects pregnant women who might face coerced procedures and medical providers or others who administer such drugs without consent. Key provisions include criminal penalties for the act itself, enhanced penalties for serious injury or death, and a civil remedy framework for victims seeking compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 35 South Main Street in Glendale, Utah, as the "Deputy Sheriff Brian Harris Post Office." It updates all official references in federal laws, maps, documents, and records to use this new name for the location. The bill has no policy provisions - it is a commemorative naming resolution with no direct impact on citizens or funding.

Maddy summaryThe Fast Track Healthcare Apprenticeships Act streamlines the registration process for healthcare apprenticeship programs under the National Apprenticeship Act. It requires the Secretary of Labor to decide on program applications within 45 days or provide a written explanation with a 90-day timeline for a decision if delayed. The bill also mandates digitizing all apprenticeship forms, including employer agreements and disability disclosures, for healthcare programs. This applies to healthcare occupations as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, such as nurses, medical technicians, and support roles.

Maddy summaryHRES 925 is a non-binding resolution condemning the Iranian government's ongoing persecution of the Baha'i religious minority. It directly affects Baha'is in Iran, who face systemic discrimination, imprisonment, denial of education and employment, and violence due to their faith. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release Baha'i prisoners, end hate propaganda targeting them, and reverse policies banning their access to education and jobs. It also urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to demand Iran's compliance and use existing sanctions authorities against officials responsible for human rights abuses against Baha'is.

Maddy summaryHR 6366, the Boosting the Rural STEM Pipeline Act, repeals a requirement that states contribute funds to the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This change eliminates the state cost-sharing obligation, making it easier for states to participate in the program. The bill directly affects states and school districts that use the Noyce scholarships to recruit and train STEM teachers, particularly in rural and high-need areas. The key provision removes the financial barrier for states, allowing more resources to support STEM educator development without requiring state matching funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 6360) makes Executive Order 14363 ("Launching the Genesis Mission") legally binding, overriding any conflicting laws or executive orders. It does not create new programs or change existing policies - it simply ensures the executive order has the force of law. The bill directly affects how federal agencies implement the "Genesis Mission" initiative outlined in the executive order. This is a procedural bill with no substantive policy changes beyond affirming the executive order's legal status.

Maddy summaryHR 5341, the LOCAL Foods Act of 2025, expands an existing exemption under the Federal Meat Inspection Act. It allows individuals who own livestock (in whole or part) to slaughter, prepare, or transport meat products for their own household, nonpaying guests, or employees without federal inspection. The bill adds a requirement that if an owner uses an agent for these tasks, they must maintain custody and specific identification of the meat products as determined by the Secretary. This directly affects small-scale livestock owners and handlers who produce meat for personal or limited household use, not commercial sale.

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 summaryHR 302, the Water Rights Protection Act of 2025, requires federal agencies (like the Departments of Agriculture or Interior) to respect state authority over water rights when issuing permits or managing land. It prohibits federal actions that would override state water laws, such as forcing water rights transfers to the U.S. government, imposing stricter usage limits than state law, or interfering with tribal water rights. The bill directly affects states, water users (including federally recognized tribes), and federal land management decisions involving water permits. It explicitly states it does not change existing laws like the Endangered Species Act or tribal water rights, focusing solely on preserving state regulatory control.