Rep. Richard McCormick

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to add 7-hydroxymitragynine to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, classifying it as a controlled substance. The legislation specifically excludes naturally occurring 7-hydroxymitragynine found in kratom plants from this classification while including synthetic versions. This change would require federal regulation of synthetic forms of the compound but would not affect kratom products containing the substance in its natural state. The bill directly impacts pharmaceutical manufacturers and synthetic drug producers who would need to comply with new federal scheduling requirements.

Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026 This bill makes certain acts related to public benefits fraud grounds for (1) barring a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) from admission into the United States, or (2) deporting the individual. The bill also makes such an individual ineligible for immigration enforcement relief, including relief for an individual in danger of subjection to torture. Specifically, this bill applies to individuals who have been convicted of, admit to having committed, or admit to acts which constitute certain offenses. Offenses covered by this bill include (1) fraud involving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, (2) fraud involving Social Security benefits, (3) fraud involving programs that receive federal funds, and (4) the production of fraudulent identification documents.

Maddy summaryHR 5688, the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act, changes rules for issuing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to people who don't live in the state where the license is issued. It allows states to issue CDLs to foreign nationals with lawful U.S. immigration status and work-related visas (valid for up to one year or until their stay ends), requiring states to verify status before issuing and keep records for two years. For residents of U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, it requires proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency before issuing CDLs, with similar verification and record-keeping rules. The bill directly affects commercial drivers from foreign countries and U.S. territories seeking CDLs in states where they are not residents.

Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 This bill imposes sanctions on certain foreign persons (individuals and entities) that are involved in Iran's petroleum sector as well as certain associated persons. The bill also requires or authorizes actions to facilitate the enforcement of sanctions on Iran. Specifically, the bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person that, after the bill's enactment, knowingly engages in any transaction related to the processing, export, or sale of oil, condensates, gas, liquefied natural gas, or other petrochemical products in whole or in part from Iran. The President must also impose sanctions on certain foreign persons associated with a sanctioned individual or entity. For example, the President must sanction the subsidiaries and corporate officers of a sanctioned business. The bill provides certain exceptions to these sanctions, including specifying that sanctions do not apply to the importation of goods or to conducting or facilitating transactions for humanitarian assistance. The Department of State must establish an interagency working group that shall seek to establish a multilateral contact group to coordinate international efforts to enforce sanctions on Iran. The bill expands the State Department rewards program to authorize a reward payment to any individual who furnishes information leading to the identification of a person (1) subject to sanctions under this bill, or (2) that has attempted or is attempting to evade sanctions under this bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal loan forgiveness program to encourage mental health professionals to work in areas with shortages of care providers. It directly affects students and graduates enrolled in mental health training programs at minority-serving institutions who agree to work full-time in underserved communities for at least five years. Under the program, eligible individuals would receive loan deferment during their service period, and after completing five years of employment, the government would repay up to $200,000 of their outstanding student loans. The bill defines qualified mental health providers to include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other licensed professionals specializing in mental and behavioral health care.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the National Science Foundation to create a network of cloud laboratories that use automated robotics and advanced instrumentation to conduct biological experiments and generate data for artificial intelligence research. The legislation establishes a three-phase program where Phase I involves planning and assessment, Phase II funds at least two new laboratories, and Phase III funds at least three additional laboratories over a 12-year period. Key provisions include creating an advisory board to guide development, setting up data sharing protocols for authorized researchers, and requiring cybersecurity and biosecurity safeguards. The program aims to connect public and private research facilities while providing access to experimental capabilities for scientists across academia, industry, and government.

Respect State Housing Laws Act This bill eliminates a provision that requires a 30-day notice period before a landlord may begin eviction proceedings against a tenant in federally assisted or federally backed housing.

Maddy summaryHRES 1076 is a House resolution recognizing the 10th anniversary of the first U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export shipment from the lower 48 states, which occurred on February 24, 2016. The resolution celebrates this milestone as a historic achievement in American energy production, highlighting its role in supporting over 273,000 annual jobs and $400 billion in economic growth over the past decade. It honors the workers and communities involved and acknowledges LNG exports' contribution to U.S. economic growth, energy security, and global partnerships. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it solely expresses recognition of a past event.

Maddy summaryThe HBCU Empowerment and Reform Act amends the definition of "historically Black college or university" (HBCU) in the Higher Education Act of 1965 by changing the establishment date cutoff from "prior to 1964" to "prior to November 8, 1965." This adjustment would include institutions founded between January 1, 1964, and November 7, 1965, in the HBCU category for federal programs. It directly affects those institutions' eligibility for HBCU-specific funding, grants, and support under federal law. The bill focuses solely on this technical definition update without additional policy provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows reserve service members to be reimbursed for renting a car when traveling over 150 miles for required training or duty. It expands existing travel allowances to cover actual vehicle rental costs during the full training period plus one additional travel day before or after. The policy directly affects reserve members who incur these expenses for mandatory military activities. The Department of Defense must update travel regulations within 180 days of the bill's passage to implement these changes.