Rep. Michael Cloud

Maddy summaryThe Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act requires members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children to divest or place most personal investments in qualified blind trusts. It bans the purchase of covered investments (including stocks, commodities, and derivatives) after enactment, with current members having 90 days to sell existing holdings and new members having 90 days after taking office to divest. The bill includes specific exceptions for diversified mutual funds, Treasury securities, and certain family business investments while establishing enforcement mechanisms including civil penalties of up to 10% of the value of noncompliant holdings. The law applies to members serving terms beginning after January 31, 2023, and mandates public online disclosure of financial information through updated government databases.

Maddy summaryHR 4871, the COVID-19 Military Backpay Act of 2025, allows military members discharged for non-compliance with the 2021 Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccination mandate to seek legal remedies. It provides a pathway for affected service members (active/reserve, National Guard) to file civil actions in the Court of Federal Claims, arguing their discharges were involuntary. If successful, the court can award compensation for missed inactive-duty training, retroactively count service time toward retirement (including 20-year or 18-year milestones), restore retirement benefits, and deem members eligible for reenlistment with two additional years of service. The bill specifically restores benefits like retirement pay and medical care that were lost due to the discharge, without reducing compensation for civilian employment earned afterward.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 618) formally commends the U.S. Coast Guard, specifically Air Station Corpus Christi and the crew of helicopter CG-6553 (including Lt. Ian Hopper, Lt. Blair Ogujiofor, AMT3 Seth Reeves, and AST3 Scott Ruskan) for their rescue efforts during the July 4, 2025, catastrophic flooding in Texas. The bill highlights their actions in saving 165 lives and evacuating 15 people amid rapidly rising rivers and severe weather, including 3 aborted landing attempts due to poor conditions. It recognizes their response as one of the most consequential rescue operations in U.S. history, emphasizing Coast Guard professionalism during the disaster. As a commemorative resolution, it does not enact policy but serves as a formal expression of gratitude to the Coast Guard personnel and all first responders.

Maddy summaryHR 4788 would amend a 1932 District of Columbia law to allow Members of Congress (Senators and Representatives) to carry concealed firearms in Washington, D.C., if they hold a valid concealed carry license from a state where they are permitted to carry, or are otherwise legally allowed to carry concealed in their home state. The bill requires these members to not be federally prohibited from possessing firearms, to carry a valid state-issued license or proof of residency rights, and to present photo identification. This exception applies only to Members of Congress and does not alter D.C.'s general concealed carry laws for other individuals. The provision would take effect upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe PRIME Act exempts custom slaughter facilities from federal meat inspection requirements when they follow state laws and sell meat exclusively within the same state. It specifically allows facilities to slaughter animals and prepare meat without federal oversight if the products go only to household consumers or local businesses (like restaurants, hotels, or grocery stores) serving consumers directly in that state. The bill clarifies that this exemption does not override stricter state regulations governing custom slaughter or meat sales. This primarily affects small-scale slaughter operations and local food businesses operating within a single state's borders.

Maddy summaryHR 4620 amends federal law to include rioting as a form of racketeering activity under Title 18, United States Code. This change would allow prosecutors to charge individuals who organize or participate in riots as part of a larger criminal enterprise under federal racketeering laws. The bill specifically targets coordinated riot activities linked to organized crime, not isolated or spontaneous protests.

Maddy summaryHR 1919, the "Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act," prohibits the Federal Reserve from developing, testing, or issuing any central bank digital currency (CBDC) or similar digital assets. It specifically bans the Fed from offering direct financial products to individuals, maintaining individual accounts, or issuing CBDCs directly or indirectly through intermediaries like banks. The bill also blocks the Fed from using any digital asset for monetary policy and clarifies that physical currency's privacy protections remain intact. This policy directly affects the Federal Reserve System's ability to create or manage digital monetary tools.

Maddy summaryHR 4448, the Restoring Equal Opportunity Act, prohibits lawsuits alleging discrimination based on "disparate impact" in employment and housing. It amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Fair Housing Act to ban claims where a neutral policy (like a test or screening rule) unintentionally disadvantages protected groups (such as race or gender), even if there was no discriminatory intent. The bill also nullifies specific federal regulations implementing civil rights laws, removing legal grounds for such claims under current enforcement rules. This directly affects employers, housing providers, and federal agencies that enforce civil rights laws, changing how discrimination claims can be brought in court.

Maddy summaryHR 4450, the National Education Association Charter Repeal Act, repeals the federal charter granted to the National Education Association (NEA) under 36 U.S. Code Chapter 1511. This bill directly affects the NEA by removing its status as a federally chartered organization, though the NEA will continue operating as a private entity. The key provision is the complete repeal of the specific statutory provision (36 U.S. Code Chapter 1511) that had provided the NEA with its federal charter since 1961. This is a procedural change with no direct impact on education policy or public funding.

Maddy summaryHRES 570 is a House resolution commending Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan for rescuing 165 people during catastrophic July 2025 flooding in central Texas. The resolution honors Ruskan, a Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician from Air Station Corpus Christi, for his role as the sole triage coordinator during the disaster. It recognizes his "exceptional courage" and "selflessness" in saving lives during the Guadalupe River flooding that caused extensive damage and loss of life. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the House's gratitude for Ruskan's service.