Rep. Mike Gallagher

Oversight for Members And Relatives Act or the OMAR Act This bill prohibits the use of campaign funds to compensate the spouse of a candidate or an individual holding federal office. It also requires disclosure of payments made to spouses or immediate family members. Specifically, the bill prohibits an authorized committee of a candidate or any other political committee that is established, maintained, or controlled by a candidate or an individual holding federal office from directly or indirectly compensating the spouse of the candidate or individual for services provided to or on behalf of the committee. The prohibition does not apply to a political committee of a political party. Next, the bill requires a political committee to report on disbursements to the spouse or an immediate family member of the candidate or the individual holding federal office. Finally, the bill requires any penalty for a violation of the bill to be imposed on the candidate or the individual holding federal office if the candidate or individual involved knew of the violation. Further, it prohibits the committee involved from reimbursing the candidate or individual for the penalty.

Maddy summaryHR 5383, the GIVE MILK Act, amends the Child Nutrition Act to allow WIC participants with young children to choose their preferred milk type (whole, low-fat, or nonfat) instead of receiving a default option. This change directly affects WIC participants caring for children aged 12 months to 4 years, aligning with dietary guidelines for that age group. The key provision requires the Secretary of Agriculture to issue the milk type elected by the participant or their guardian, updating WIC program regulations under Section 17(f) of the Child Nutrition Act. The bill focuses on enabling participant choice based on established nutritional recommendations for childhood development.

Maddy summaryHRES 665 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Lieutenant Commander Louis A. Conter as the last living survivor of the USS Arizona during the December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor attack. It commemorates his service and the 1,177 crew members who died aboard the USS Arizona, along with all those who served during the attack and World War II. The resolution specifically recognizes Conter’s heroism during the attack, his subsequent military service, and pays tribute to all Pearl Harbor survivors and fallen service members. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but formally acknowledges historical events and individual contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts tax-exempt organizations (like charities and nonprofits) from holding investments in Chinese companies designated as "disqualified" under the law. A company is disqualified if incorporated in China, controlled by Chinese government entities (including sub-national governments or the Communist Party), or with over 10% ownership by such entities. Organizations must annually report holdings of these companies and obtain Treasury waivers for exceptions, which require justification that the investment need outweighs national security concerns. The Treasury must publish lists of disqualified investments and approved waivers quarterly.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Serve the People, Not the Swamp Act," requires Congress to pass all annual budget appropriations by August (for the House) and by October 1 (for both chambers) to prevent extended recesses, using points of order to block adjournments without such passage. It extends a lobbying ban to 5 years for former executive branch officials in high-level positions and for former House Members of Congress (previously 2 years for some), prohibiting them from lobbying the government they previously served. Additionally, the bill terminates future retirement coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System for all Members of Congress, with current Members allowed to opt-in to remain in the system for 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires senior Federal political appointees - such as Presidential appointees, Senior Executive Service members, and Schedule C positions - to sign a binding ethics pledge. Key provisions include a 5-year ban on lobbying their former agency, a 2-year restriction on working on matters related to former employers or clients, and a prohibition on accepting gifts from registered lobbyists during their service. The pledge also mandates that hiring decisions be based solely on qualifications and includes enforcement mechanisms allowing the government to seek civil penalties or injunctions for violations. It directly affects appointed officials in the Executive Branch who hold positions of significant public trust.

Maddy summaryThe Healthy SNAP Act of 2023 changes what foods SNAP recipients can buy by updating the program's definition of eligible "food." It explicitly excludes soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts like cakes or cookies, while requiring the USDA Secretary to designate specific nutrient-rich foods that address dietary gaps and promote health. The bill mandates the Secretary to review and update these designated foods every five years based on nutrition science and public health needs, and allows states to substitute culturally appropriate, nutritionally equivalent foods with approval. This directly affects the 40 million SNAP participants nationwide by altering their purchasing options under the program.

Maddy summaryHR 3933, the TAP Promotion Act, requires standardized presentations about Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits during military transition counseling for service members separating from the armed forces. These presentations must be approved by the VA, delivered by authorized veterans service organizations (VSOs), and include information on how VSOs assist with VA claims - without encouraging membership in specific organizations. The bill mandates a one-hour limit per presentation and requires the VA to submit annual reports to Congress detailing which VSOs presented, attendance numbers, and recommendations for improvement. This policy directly affects service members preparing for civilian life and the VSOs providing these transition resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Treasury to mint commemorative coins marking the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary in 2025. It authorizes three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), with surcharges of $35, $10, and $5 respectively. The surcharge proceeds will fund the Marine Corps Heritage Center's educational programs, with no net cost to taxpayers as the Treasury must recover all minting costs through the surcharges. The coins can only be issued during 2025, and the Treasury must ensure all costs are covered before distributing funds to the Heritage Foundation.

Maddy summaryHR 984, the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, authorizes $50 million annually (2024-2028) for grants to states and tribes to improve outreach to veterans and their families. The bill provides funding to hire more county/Tribal veterans service officers, expand existing outreach programs, and ensure equitable access to benefits for vulnerable groups like American Indian veterans, elderly veterans, and women veterans. States and tribes must submit detailed plans, track how quickly veterans receive benefits, and report annually on progress toward outcome measures set by the Veterans Affairs Secretary. Grants must supplement, not replace, existing state/local funding and prioritize areas with critical officer shortages or high veteran suicide rates.