Rep. Marc A. Veasey

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for recognizing Nigerian Heritage Month to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Nigerians and Nigerian Americans in the United States. It highlights the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations and notes that Nigerian Americans are a highly educated immigrant group making significant impacts in fields such as medicine, technology, and business. The bill encourages federal, state, and local governments, along with educational institutions, to observe this month through programs and ceremonies that highlight Nigerian heritage.

Maddy summaryThe Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 allows companies to use mass balance accounting to support claims about recycled content in their products, provided they follow independent third-party certification rules. This method lets manufacturers mix recycled materials with conventional ones in the same supply chain while still crediting the final product with a specific amount of recycled content based on documented inputs. The Federal Trade Commission will update its existing environmental marketing guidelines to reflect these new standards and will enforce the rules against misleading recycled content claims. Additionally, the law prevents states from passing their own conflicting regulations on how recycled content claims are made or enforced.

Maddy summaryHR 7022, the Mystic Alerts Act, gives commercial mobile service providers (like phone companies) the option to send emergency alerts via satellite to subscribers. If a provider chooses satellite transmission, it must file this election with the FCC, agree to technical standards, and inform subscribers about the choice. The bill also requires providers to allow subscribers to opt out of receiving these satellite alerts, similar to existing mobile alert opt-out rules. The FCC must establish technical rules for satellite alerting within 12 months of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to provide small business contractors with interim partial payments of at least 50% of estimated costs when contract terms change without the business's agreement. It directly affects small businesses awarded federal construction contracts and their subcontractors, ensuring they receive upfront funds to cover increased costs from mandated changes. The key mechanism mandates that agencies issue these payments promptly upon valid requests, with small businesses required to pass the funds to relevant subcontractors. The law also specifies that these interim payments do not finalize the adjustment request, preserving the agency's right to review the full claim later.

Maddy summaryHR 2004, titled "Tyler’s Law," requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study how often hospital emergency departments test for fentanyl during overdose cases (beyond standard drug tests), including associated costs, patient benefits/risks, and impacts on privacy and patient-physician relationships. The study must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment. Based on the study results, the Secretary must issue guidance within six months on whether emergency departments should routinely test for fentanyl, how to inform clinicians about test contents, and how such testing may affect future overdose risks and health outcomes. This bill directly affects hospital emergency departments and patients experiencing overdoses by shaping future testing protocols.

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 summaryThis House resolution designates September 2026 as National Voting Rights Month to highlight the historical and ongoing challenges faced by various groups in exercising their right to vote. It encourages Congress to pass legislation that strengthens voting protections, specifically endorsing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 while opposing bills that could restrict voter eligibility. The resolution also recommends that public schools develop curricula on voting history and current suppression tactics, and it invites funding for public service announcements to promote voter registration and participation.

Maddy summaryHR 5745, the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act, allows oil and gas operators to convert decommissioned offshore platforms and pipelines into artificial reefs instead of fully removing them. It establishes a process where operators can apply to leave structures in place (called "Reefing in Place") after completing assessments of marine habitat benefits and economic costs. The bill requires the Director to determine if a structure qualifies as an "Eligible Structure" based on habitat potential and safety, with a three-year window for approval after qualification. It also prohibits federal removal orders during key application and assessment periods and permits states to assume liability for reef sites. This directly affects operators of inactive offshore structures and aims to create new marine habitats while streamlining decommissioning.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution supports designating the week of September 14 through September 18, 2026, as National Clean Energy Week to highlight the growth of zero- and low-emission energy sources. The bill cites a Department of Energy report stating that the U.S. energy sector employed approximately 8.5 million people at the end of 2024 and emphasizes that clean energy jobs are local and cannot be outsourced. It encourages federal, state, and private entities to invest in affordable clean technologies and specifically applauds the work of Department of Energy National Laboratories across multiple states.