Rep. Claudia Tenney

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for designating the week of September 11 through September 17, 2026, as "Patriot Week." The bill encourages citizens, educational institutions, and government agencies at all levels to participate in activities that honor American history, founding documents, and national symbols. It specifically acknowledges the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks while linking the commemorative period to Constitution Day on September 17.

Maddy summaryHR 1031 establishes the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park in New York to preserve and interpret the site where 982 Holocaust refugees were housed from 1944 to 1946. The park will be managed by the National Park Service after the Secretary of the Interior acquires sufficient land (primarily through donation for state-owned property) to form a manageable unit. Key provisions require a Federal Register notice upon land acquisition, a management plan within three years, and cooperative agreements for public access and interpretation. The park directly affects the preservation of this historical site and serves the public by making its history accessible for education and reflection.

Maddy summaryThe End Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act modifies the Internal Revenue Code to protect United States nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad from tax penalties and interest. It achieves this by disregarding the time spent in captivity when calculating tax deadlines, interest accruals, and penalty amounts, while also requiring the Treasury Department to update its systems to suspend collection activities for these individuals. Additionally, the bill establishes a program to refund or abate any taxes, penalties, or interest that eligible individuals paid during the period from January 1, 2021, to the date of the law's enactment. To implement these changes, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General must provide lists of affected individuals to the Treasury by January 1, 2027, and notify them of their eligibility for refunds.

Maddy summaryThe Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends federal education law to explicitly define the terms "sex," "female," and "male" based on biological characteristics. Specifically, it states that "sex" refers to an individual's biologically determined status as male or female, while "female" and "male" are defined by the presence of specific reproductive systems capable of producing ova or sperm, respectively. These definitions apply to all education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance starting on the date the bill becomes law. The legislation aims to clarify existing statutes by removing ambiguity around biological sex definitions in the context of Title IX protections.

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 summaryThis House resolution marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by formally honoring the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims and recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders, military personnel, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The bill acknowledges the ongoing health challenges faced by survivors and responders, highlighting the role of the World Trade Center Health Program in providing long-term medical support. It also credits charitable organizations and community groups that have continued to assist victims' families and veterans over the past two decades. Finally, the resolution urges the American public to observe the anniversary with ceremonies and reaffirms Congress's commitment to remembering the events and lessons of that day.

Maddy summaryH.Res. 1497 is a House resolution that commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, in which 13 U.S. servicemembers were killed during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The bill lists the names of the fallen soldiers and formally condemns the Biden-Harris administration for what it describes as dereliction of duty and the forfeiture of military property to the Taliban. It asserts that the withdrawal was a disastrous failure that ignored security warnings and left Americans at risk, while also criticizing the lack of accountability from officials involved in the decision-making process.

Maddy summaryThe Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act of 2026 changes how the IRS determines if a group qualifies for tax-exempt status based on its religious beliefs. Specifically, it ensures that beliefs regarding marriage, sexuality, or gender identity are not automatically considered illegal or against public policy when evaluating a religious organization's purpose. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a belief does not need to be central to a religion to be recognized as a valid religious belief for tax purposes. These rules will apply to tax years starting after December 31, 2025, affecting how various faith-based groups are assessed under the Internal Revenue Code.

Maddy summaryHR 2555, the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025, protects students who join or form single-sex social organizations (like fraternities or sororities) at colleges. It prohibits colleges receiving federal funds from taking negative actions against these students or organizations solely because they limit membership to one sex - such as denying housing, financial aid, leadership roles, or recognition. The bill ensures students can join such groups without coercion and stops colleges from imposing unfair recruitment rules on single-sex organizations compared to others. It does not require colleges to recognize single-sex groups, allow organizations to set their own membership rules, or override Title IX protections.