Rep. Donald S. Beyer, Jr.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Data at the Border Act requires U.S. border agents to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before accessing the digital contents of electronic devices belonging to U.S. persons at the border. It prohibits denying entry or delaying entry based on a refusal to provide access credentials, digital content, or online account information, and limits border agents to four hours to determine if a U.S. person will voluntarily provide access. The bill mandates written consent with clear notice of rights for voluntary data access, requires destruction of improperly accessed data, and includes emergency exceptions for immediate threats to life, national security, or public safety. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security to report annually on how often border agents access digital data and under what circumstances.

Maddy summaryHR 2588, the Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act of 2025, requires the Attorney General to evaluate whether local governments with populations over 100,000 (that apply for specific grants) are credibly reporting hate crimes. It flags jurisdictions that report zero hate crimes or no data annually, making them ineligible for grants unless they meet specific reporting standards. Jurisdictions can avoid penalties by conducting significant community education on hate crimes, such as adopting reporting policies or holding public forums. The Attorney General must publish an annual report on jurisdictions using the education exception. This bill focuses on improving data accuracy for hate crimes, not changing hate crime laws or definitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the asset limits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients to allow more savings without losing benefits. It increases the individual resource limit from $2,250 to $20,000 (in 2025) and the couple limit from $1,500 to $10,000, with automatic annual inflation adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. These changes directly affect low-income seniors and people with disabilities who rely on SSI. The bill eliminates the current "savings penalty" that previously forced recipients to spend down savings to qualify. The new limits will adjust each year to maintain their real value against inflation.

Maddy summaryHR 2582, the Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act, creates a nonprofit organization called the Foundation for Standards and Metrology to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Foundation will work with researchers, universities, industry, and nonprofits to advance measurement science, technical standards, and technology commercialization to enhance U.S. economic security. It will be governed by a Board of Directors with 11 appointed members representing diverse stakeholders, and must become financially self-sustaining within five years. The Foundation will conduct studies, support research facilities, facilitate commercialization of federally funded research, and report annually to Congress on its activities and financial status. The bill authorizes $500,000-$1,250,000 annually from NIST's budget to fund the Foundation starting in fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryHR 2585, the Armenian Genocide Education Act, establishes a federal program through the Library of Congress to develop educational resources about the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide for K-12 schools. It requires the Librarian to create and distribute accurate teaching materials, provide teacher training workshops, and maintain an online resource hub focused on the genocide's history, lessons, and prevention of hate. The program directly supports local educational agencies, independent schools, and educators by offering professional development and curriculum resources. It defines key terms like "denial" and "distortion" to guide the educational content, aiming to improve understanding of this historical event and its relevance to preventing modern-day hate crimes.

Maddy summaryHJRES 83 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a specific proposed U.S. military sale to Israel. It directly targets the sale of 35,529 MK 84 or BLU-117 general-purpose bomb bodies and 4,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads, as detailed in a March 2025 government transmittal. If passed, the resolution would prohibit the U.S. government from proceeding with this particular foreign military sale under the Arms Export Control Act. The bill affects the executive branch's ability to authorize the sale and Israel as the intended recipient of these defense articles.

Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2025 or the SAFE Act of 2025 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly (1) slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or (2) shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption. The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. As background, in recent years, the appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1338), which granted the President unilateral authority to impose tariffs without Congressional approval. It directly affects the President's ability to use this specific provision for tariff actions. The key mechanism is the removal of this legal authority from U.S. trade law. The bill makes no other changes to tariff policy or procedures.

Maddy summaryThe COST of Relocations Act (HR 2470) requires federal agencies to conduct a detailed benefit-cost analysis before relocating more than 5% or 100 employees (whichever is smaller) outside their current commuting area. Agencies must submit an unredacted report to their Inspector General, covering expected outcomes, stakeholder impacts, risk assessments, and how the move affects the agency's mission. The Inspector General then reviews the report and submits findings to Congress within 90 days, including an assessment of whether the relocation complies with existing OMB guidance. This law applies specifically to significant relocations of federal operations, ensuring transparency without overriding other legal requirements for such moves.

Maddy summaryHR 2410 creates a 20% federal tax credit for developers converting older non-residential buildings (at least 20 years old) into affordable housing. The credit applies to qualified conversion costs, requiring that 20% of units be rent-restricted for residents earning 80% or less of the area median income for 30 years. It establishes a $12 billion national credit limit, with $3 billion reserved for conversions in economically distressed areas, and mandates state-level allocation plans prioritizing projects near transit and employment. The bill directly affects developers seeking tax incentives for downtown revitalization, not tenants or local governments.