Rep. Mark B. Messmer

Maddy summaryHRES 413 is a non-binding House resolution condemning Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages. It specifically demands that Hamas immediately release the 58 remaining hostages (including four U.S. citizens: Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, Judi Weinstein, and Gad Haggai) and return them to safety. The resolution also recognizes that hostage-taking violates international law and calls on the White House to continue efforts to secure all hostages' release. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the House's stance.

Maddy summaryHRES 412 is a non-binding House resolution congratulating Pope Leo XIV on his historic election as the 267th pope and the first American-born pope in the Catholic Church's 2,000-year history. The resolution recognizes his Chicago upbringing, missionary work in Peru, and commitment to humility and pastoral care, highlighting his significance for American Catholics. As a symbolic gesture with no legal effect, it expresses the House's support for his leadership without altering any policies or affecting any stakeholders.

This joint resolution eliminates new, more stringent energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers. Under the joint resolution, such equipment is no longer required to comply with the new standards. Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers  and published by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy on January 21, 2025. Under the rule, the office adopted new energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration equipment to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified. The rule required the equipment to comply with the those standards by January 22, 2029.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 24, enacted May 9, 2025, disapproves a Department of Energy (DOE) rule establishing energy efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers. This resolution, passed under the Congressional Review Act, blocks the rule (published December 23, 2024) from taking effect, meaning the DOE’s proposed standards will have no legal force. The action directly affects commercial food equipment manufacturers and businesses using such cooling systems by preventing the implementation of new energy conservation requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution blocks a Department of Energy rule that would have set new energy efficiency standards for gas-fired instant water heaters. It prevents the rule from taking effect, meaning appliance manufacturers would not have to meet the proposed efficiency requirements. The rule, submitted in December 2024, directly affected manufacturers of these water heaters and consumers purchasing them. Congress approved this disapproval through a joint resolution passed on May 9, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases mandatory prison sentences for non-citizens convicted of certain crimes after entering the U.S. without authorization or being deported. It raises the minimum sentence from 2 to 5 years for those who improperly enter the U.S. and later commit a crime punishable by over one year in prison. For non-citizens previously deported who commit crimes, it increases the minimum sentence from 2 to 10 years and mandates at least 10 years for offenses including aggravated felonies, state/federal felonies, or crimes punishable by over one year. These changes apply to all non-citizens convicted under these circumstances, regardless of jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryHR 3241, the Defense Workforce Integration Act of 2025, creates pathways for military personnel medically disqualified from service to transition into civilian defense jobs. It requires the Defense Department to establish a process within one year for entry-level service members (like those in basic training or ROTC) who can't serve due to medical reasons to qualify for civilian roles in the Department of Defense. The bill also mandates a new program to connect medically disqualified individuals with employment opportunities in the defense industrial base, cybersecurity, research, and other national security support roles. Additionally, it directs the Navy to provide career information about Military Sealift Command and shipbuilder training to personnel during transition assistance. The Secretary of Defense must report on implementation to Congress within one year.

Maddy summaryThe GAMES Act (HR 3219) removes a one-year time limit for veterans to join military adaptive sports programs. Previously, veterans could only apply within one year of leaving the military, but this bill expands eligibility to allow participation at any time after separation. The change modifies Section 2564a of Title 10, U.S. Code, directly affecting veterans seeking access to these programs. This policy update simplifies access without altering program funding or structure.

Community Services Block Grant Improvement Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program through FY2032 and makes certain changes to the program and associated eligibility requirements. The CSBG program supports various antipoverty activities, primarily through formula-based allotments to states, tribes, and territories, the majority of which must be made available in grants to eligible local entities.  Specifically, the bill permanently sets the measure of eligibility for services, assistance, or resources provided directly to individuals or families under the program at 200% of the poverty line. (Under current law, the eligibility measure is temporarily set at 200% of the poverty line, an increase from the previous measure of 125% of the poverty line.) The bill also makes certain changes to the permitted uses of funding, including by allowing CSBG funds to be used to facilitate low-income individuals’ and communities’ access to high-speed broadband, digital literacy training, technical support, and other services. States may also use certain funds allocated for training and technical assistance to assist eligible entities in responding to statewide and regional conditions that create economic insecurity, including emergency conditions.   The bill also expands requirements for the plans that states must submit to the Department of Health and Human Services in order to receive CSBG funds (e.g., transparency assurances), and sets deadlines by which states must make funds available to eligible entities. Finally, the bill repeals a provision that allowed states to use CSBG funds to offset revenue losses associated with state charity tax credits.

Maddy summary# Summary of the SHIPS for America Act This comprehensive legislation focuses on strengthening the U.S. maritime industry, shipbuilding capacity, and maritime workforce to enhance national security and economic competitiveness. ## Key Areas of Focus 1. **Shipbuilding & Maritime Infrastructure** - Establishes a United States Center for Maritime Innovation to accelerate adoption of commercial technologies - Creates a National Shipbuilding Research Program - Requires an annual survey of anticipated commercial vessel construction - Includes provisions for streamlined environmental reviews of maritime infrastructure 2. **Workforce Development** - Establishes the United States Merchant Marine Career Retention Program to maintain mariner qualifications - Creates Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education - Implements military-to-maritime transition programs - Establishes a Maritime Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee 3. **Education & Training** - Expands educational assistance for merchant mariners - Creates eligibility for Naval Postgraduate School for merchant mariners - Establishes maritime education programs from K-12 through higher education - Provides for international exchanges for mariners and naval architects 4. **National Security & Strategic Readiness** - Requires reports on National Defense Reserve Fleet utilization - Includes measures to de-risk the maritime sector from Chinese influence - Enhances shipbuilding capacity for national security needs - Establishes programs to ensure sufficient mariner workforce for national defense 5. **Funding Mechanisms** - Authorizes appropriations from the Maritime Security Trust Fund - Includes funding for workforce programs, education, and shipbuilding initiatives - Establishes specific funding levels for various programs over multiple fiscal years The legislation aims to create a sustainable domestic maritime industrial base that supports both commercial shipping and national defense requirements, with a particular emphasis on developing and retaining a skilled U.S. maritime workforce.