Rep. Jared F. Golden

Maddy summaryThe Cost Estimates Improvement Act requires the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation to include public debt servicing costs in their financial estimates, to the extent practicable. This change directly affects federal budgeting processes by ensuring that the interest payments on national debt are factored into official cost projections for new legislation. The bill amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to mandate this specific inclusion in all future estimates prepared by these two bodies.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for specific regulations protecting the North Atlantic right whale from 2028 to 2035. The change directly affects the U.S. government agencies responsible for enforcing these conservation rules, such as the National Marine Fisheries Service. By updating the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, the legislation ensures that current protective measures remain in effect for an additional seven years. This adjustment allows regulators more time to gather data and potentially develop new strategies before the regulations expire.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands federal election laws to prevent foreign nationals from influencing U.S. elections by tightening restrictions on domestic companies with significant foreign ownership or control. It requires businesses that are at least 50% owned by foreign individuals, or those with specific foreign influence, to file a sworn certification proving they are not foreign-controlled before making any political donations or spending money on election activities. Additionally, the law clarifies that these rules apply to state and local ballot initiatives and mandates that corporate political action funds certify their managers and board members are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The legislation also prohibits recipients of funds from these businesses from using the money for further political contributions unless they receive and verify the required compliance certification.

Maddy summaryThe Public Safety Officers' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2026 modifies how public safety officers can claim federal benefits related to line-of-duty injuries. It simplifies the claims process by removing a requirement that injuries must be caused by factors other than pre-existing cardiovascular risks and extends the time limit for reporting certain incidents from 24 to 72 hours. These changes apply to any benefit claims that are pending or filed after the law is enacted. The bill directly affects public safety officers seeking compensation for work-related injuries.

Maddy summaryThe Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 updates the Clean Air Act to broaden the definition of renewable biomass eligible for carbon credits. It specifically allows materials from forest management, such as slash, storm debris, and wood residuals, to be counted as renewable fuel if they come from sustainably managed lands or public forests designated for fuel reduction. The bill also includes vegetation cleared from defensible space around buildings and from wildfire risk reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface. By clarifying these categories and establishing certification requirements, the legislation aims to increase the supply of biomass available for generating renewable energy credits.

Maddy summaryThe Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States, ending the current practice of changing clocks twice yearly. It repeals the 1966 law requiring seasonal time changes and adjusts time zone offsets to reflect permanent daylight saving time (e.g., shifting from "4 hours" to "3 hours" in historical references). States that currently opt out of daylight saving time (like Arizona and Hawaii) would retain their existing arrangements, while all other states would adopt permanent daylight saving time unless they choose to stay on standard time. This change would directly affect all U.S. residents by eliminating the need to reset clocks in spring and fall.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act (HR 3535) prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to or donating in state and local ballot initiatives, referendums, or recall elections. It amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to extend existing restrictions on foreign contributions - previously limited to federal elections - to cover these specific state and local election types. The prohibition applies to contributions made on or after the bill's enactment date. This change aims to prevent foreign influence in local democratic processes by closing a gap in current election finance rules.

Maddy summaryThe Child Care Small Business Insight and Improvement Act of 2026 directs the Small Business Administration to submit a report to Congress within 120 days of enactment. This report will analyze the challenges and needs faced by for-profit child care providers, evaluate current SBA support, and identify any gaps in those resources. Additionally, the study will assess fraud instances among these providers and propose legislative changes to prevent misuse of federal funds. The bill does not authorize new funding, as it relies on existing resources to conduct this analysis.

Maddy summaryThe Veterans STAND Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide annual preventative health assessments to veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. These assessments cover risks for health complications, chronic pain management, dietary needs, prosthetic equipment, and access to assistive technologies like spinal cord neuromodulation devices. The VA must consult with medical specialists and device manufacturers when creating guidelines and submit yearly reports to Congress on veterans' use of these services and devices. This policy directly affects veterans with spinal cord injuries by ensuring regular, tailored health evaluations to improve long-term management and independence.

Maddy summaryThe GRACE for Military Survivors Act extends the deadline for contributing military death benefits to Roth IRAs and Coverdell education savings accounts from one year to three years. This change directly benefits families of service members who receive these death benefits, giving them more time to save for retirement or education. The law applies to benefits received after the bill is enacted and includes a special rule allowing contributions made within a specific window for benefits received between 2001 and the enactment date. By amending the Internal Revenue Code, the bill ensures that eligible funds can be deposited into these tax-advantaged accounts without losing their value due to time limits.