Rep. Ron Estes

Maddy summaryThis House resolution marks the 50th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment and honors its original sponsor, Congressman Henry Hyde. It asserts that the amendment has prevented over 2.6 million abortions by restricting federal funding for elective procedures. The text emphasizes that this policy protects taxpayer conscience rights by ensuring public money is not used to finance abortions. Additionally, it encourages Americans to reflect on the history of the amendment and the total number of abortions performed since the Roe v. Wade decision.

Maddy summaryThe U.S. Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act of 2026 amends federal tax laws to adjust how multinational corporations are taxed on foreign earnings, primarily by increasing the deduction rate for foreign-derived intangible income from 33.34 percent to 40 percent. The bill modifies the base erosion minimum tax by exempting certain payments made to foreign entities that face a high effective tax rate or operate in jurisdictions with discriminatory taxes, such as digital services taxes. It also eliminates specific inclusions of foreign base company sales and services income while allowing corporations to carry forward net tested losses from controlled foreign corporations for up to five years. Additionally, the legislation expands the research tax credit to all taxpayers rather than just small businesses and provides special rules for transferring intangible property from foreign subsidiaries to U.S. shareholders.

Maddy summaryThe EFIN Verification Act of 2026 requires tax preparers to validate their Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) before electronically submitting federal tax returns or other documents on behalf of taxpayers. The bill mandates that the Treasury Secretary establish a real-time validation system capable of processing high-volume requests from large-scale tax preparation software and financial institutions. This system will confirm whether an EFIN is active, authorized, or compromised at the moment a filing attempt is made. Additionally, the legislation permits the disclosure of specific information to approved third-party validators to facilitate this verification process, with these requirements taking effect for taxable years beginning two years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new passenger vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. to include AM radio as standard equipment (not an optional add-on) by 2027-2028, depending on manufacturer size. It mandates that AM radio receivers must be easily accessible to drivers and allows compliance through digital AM broadcast technology. During a transition period, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio but cannot charge extra for this feature. The bill also mandates a GAO study on AM radio's role in emergency alerts and includes a 10-year sunset provision for the rule. It preempts state laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

Maddy summaryHR 5267, the American Franchise Act, clarifies when franchisors can be considered joint employers of franchisee employees under federal labor laws. It defines "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential employment terms like wages, benefits, hours, hiring, and discipline - requiring franchisors to actively set these terms to be deemed joint employers. The bill explicitly excludes routine brand standards, training, or minimal safety requirements from constituting such control. This directly affects franchisors and franchisees by limiting joint employer liability to cases where franchisors exert significant, ongoing influence over core employment decisions. The law applies prospectively to new cases after enactment, not past disputes.

Maddy summaryThe Advancing American Innovation Act amends Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to tighten the standards for what qualifies as a domestic industry in unfair trade investigations, specifically requiring that licensing activities lead to the adoption and development of articles sold in the United States. The bill also mandates that the International Trade Commission identify dispositive issues early in proceedings to allow for expedited fact-finding within 100 days, while requiring the agency to consider the impact of exclusion orders on public health, the economy, and consumers before taking action. Additionally, it requires complainants in patent infringement cases to disclose the identity and funding agreements of any third-party litigation funders, with sanctions imposed for non-compliance. These changes apply to complaints filed after the date of enactment and directly affect companies involved in international trade disputes and intellectual property enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, honoring its century-long contribution to the golf industry. The bill does not change any laws or allocate funds; instead, it serves as a symbolic commendation for the organization's work in advancing greenkeeping standards, promoting environmental stewardship, and supporting education and workforce development. By acknowledging the association's role in managing golf courses and its impact on the economy and communities, the measure highlights the professional achievements of its members without imposing new regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic pre-approval systems for medical services by 2028 and meet transparency reporting standards starting in 2027. Plans must publicly report data on approval/denial rates, appeal outcomes, response times, and technology use for pre-approval requests, including details on how denials relate to clinical criteria. It establishes a 24-hour response timeframe for certain requests and mandates annual reviews of pre-approval requirements based on data and input from seniors and providers. The law directly affects Medicare Advantage plans, seniors enrolled in these plans, and healthcare providers who submit pre-approval requests. These changes aim to make the pre-approval process faster, more transparent, and more accountable for seniors seeking covered medical services.

Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act This bill prohibits payment card networks from using merchant codes that distinguish firearms retailers from general-merchandise retailers or sporting-goods retailers. The Department of Justice must enforce this bill and report annually on the resulting investigations and cases.

Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act This bill repeals the Corporate Transparency Act. The act requires existing companies and newly created companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for purposes of addressing the financing of terrorism and money laundering.