Rep. Chris Pappas

Maddy summaryThe Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025 establishes a competitive federal grant program to fund projects improving recycling access in underserved communities. It authorizes $30 million annually (2025-2029) for grants to states, local governments, tribes, or public-private partnerships to build infrastructure like transfer stations, expand curbside collection, or reduce transport costs. Grants must be $500,000-$15 million, with 70% reserved for projects in communities lacking a materials recovery facility within 75 miles. The program requires grantees to report on implementation and outcomes, excluding funding for recycling education.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins must feature designs honoring victims and first responders (including the inscription "Never Forget") and will be sold only during 2027-2028. All surcharges ($35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin) collected from sales will fund the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, with no net cost to the federal government. The coins are legal tender but primarily intended for collectors, not circulation.

Maddy summaryThe Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum dedicated to women’s history, to be located within the National Mall Reserve in Washington, D.C. If the site is managed by another federal agency, the bill requires that agency to transfer the land after notifying Congress and relevant committees. The museum must ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent diverse women’s experiences by consulting a broad range of experts and community voices. The Smithsonian will submit biennial reports to Congress detailing how the museum meets these representation standards.

Maddy summaryThe Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act of 2025 amends the GI Bill to allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve multi-state trucking apprenticeship programs for veterans using their educational benefits. This directly affects veterans seeking to transition into trucking careers and apprenticeship programs operating across multiple states. The key mechanism changes the law so the Secretary can act as a "State approving agency" for these programs, eliminating the need for separate state approvals. This streamlines access to trucking training without requiring veterans to navigate individual state requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores veterans' education benefits for periods spent at institutions later found to have fraud, closure, or approval issues. It prevents those periods from counting against a veteran's total benefit entitlement or lifetime limit. Educational institutions must repay the VA if they received benefits for veterans during these covered periods, including cases where courts found fraud or the school was closed for violations. The law applies to veterans using benefits under chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, or 1606/1607 of title 38.

Dental Care for Veterans Act This bill expands eligibility for veterans for dental care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill makes all veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system eligible for VA-provided dental services. Currently, only veterans who have a service-connected dental issue or meet other narrow criteria are eligible for certain dental services. The bill phases in eligibility over four years based upon existing eligibility, degree of service-connected disability or other disability, prisoner of war status, award of a Purple Heart, financial need, or VA health care eligibility.

This resolution expresses support for police officers and other law enforcement personnel. The resolution further recognizes law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities; the need to ensure that such officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety while they are protecting the public; and the law enforcement community for acts of sacrifice and heroism. The resolution expresses condolences and appreciation to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the President to provide International Military Education and Training assistance to Greece to strengthen defense cooperation between the two nations. The program will fund training for future military leaders, improve understanding between the U.S. and Greek armed forces, and enhance their ability to work together in joint operations. It allocates $1.8 million annually for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these educational and partnership initiatives. The legislation also emphasizes professional military education, civilian oversight of the military, and human rights protections within Greece's armed forces.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend federal law to strengthen penalties for organized retail crime by expanding definitions of theft to include digital goods, gift cards, and setting a $5,000 aggregate value threshold for charges over a 12-month period. It would establish a new "Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center" under Homeland Security to coordinate Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement efforts against cross-jurisdictional theft groups. The Center would share information with retailers, transportation companies, and law enforcement agencies, track crime trends, and produce annual reports on organized retail crime. This legislation directly affects retailers, supply chain businesses, and law enforcement agencies, while targeting organized crime groups responsible for a 93% increase in larceny incidents and rising safety concerns for retail employees. The bill aims to address significant financial losses and supply chain disruptions noted in the National Retail Federation's 2023 data.

Maddy summaryThe Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 restricts the importation, sale, and manufacture of vehicles and related technology from specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, to address national security concerns. The law defines prohibited items as connected vehicles, their software, and hardware components and sets different effective dates, with vehicle bans starting in 2027 and hardware restrictions beginning in 2030. A government official can grant exceptions for specific items after reviewing security risks and notifying Congress, while the agency must publish annual reports on enforcement actions and compliance.