Rep. Derek Schmidt

Maddy summaryHR 5455, the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025, ensures continued operation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during government funding gaps. If Congress fails to pass regular appropriations or a continuing resolution before the new fiscal year begins, the bill allows the FAA to use existing funds from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to maintain essential programs and airport infrastructure at the previous year’s funding level. This prevents shutdowns for FAA operations like air traffic control, airport grants, and safety programs for up to 30 days or until regular funding is enacted. The bill directly affects all FAA programs funded through the trust fund, including airport improvements and aviation safety initiatives, without creating new policies or altering funding levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the federal tax code to exclude certain overtime pay from taxable income. It directly affects workers who earn overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or through specific employer-employee agreements meeting defined conditions (like exceeding 40 hours per week or railway work standards). The key provision defines "qualified overtime compensation" to exclude this pay from federal income tax calculations. The change applies to tax returns filed for 2025 and later. This creates a concrete tax exemption for qualifying overtime earnings.

Maddy summaryHRES 729 is a symbolic resolution designating September 17, 2025, as "Constitution Day" to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution's signing (September 17, 1787). It does not create new laws or affect any specific group; instead, it urges the American public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities. The resolution emphasizes the Constitution's historical significance and its role in establishing American democracy. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding effect on policy or governance.

Maddy summaryHRES 723 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 180th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy, established on October 10, 2025. It formally commemorates the Academy's founding, historical contributions, and legacy of producing naval and marine leadership. The resolution highlights the Academy's role in educating graduates who have served in major conflicts, earned military honors, and held significant national leadership positions. As a symbolic gesture with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents, it serves solely to honor the institution's history and ongoing mission.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently bans nitazenes and all structurally related synthetic opioids under federal law, creating a broad definition that covers numerous chemical variations designed to evade current restrictions. It directly affects anyone manufacturing, distributing, or possessing these substances without authorization, including illicit drug producers and users. The key mechanism is a class-wide Schedule I classification that includes specific structural features (like modified benzimidazole rings) and excludes new analogs from legal loopholes. This approach aims to prevent new nitazene variants from entering the illegal market and addresses their role in overdose deaths. Substances previously temporarily banned under similar rules will now be permanently prohibited as of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 5401, the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026, ensures military personnel, civilian Defense workers, and supporting contractors receive pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2026. It appropriates emergency funds for active-duty service members, reserves, and their supporting personnel (including Coast Guard staff under DHS) if regular appropriations aren't enacted by the end of the fiscal year. The bill provides necessary pay and allowances during any period when full-year funding is unavailable, covering both active service and support roles. Funding expires when regular appropriations are passed, a funding resolution is enacted, or January 1, 2027, whichever comes first. This is a procedural measure to prevent pay delays for military and support staff during fiscal year 2026 funding lapses.

Maddy summaryHR 5100 extends the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through fiscal year 2026, instead of ending on September 30, 2025. This bill directly affects small businesses and research institutions that rely on federal funding for research and development through these programs. The key mechanism is updating expiration dates across multiple program provisions in the Small Business Act to maintain funding authority and program operations for one additional year. The extension does not alter program eligibility, funding levels, or core requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 5364, the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act, expands state Medicaid fraud control units' authority to investigate and prosecute fraud committed by Medicaid beneficiaries (people receiving benefits), not just healthcare providers. It amends federal law to explicitly include "individuals applying for or receiving" Medicaid services in fraud investigations, requiring states to cover both provider and beneficiary fraud. The bill directs states to investigate false applications or misuse of benefits, such as lying about income to qualify or using benefits for unauthorized services. These changes take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law, applying to all Medicaid programs nationwide. The law focuses on clarifying investigative scope without creating new penalties or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, increases penalties for certain immigration violations under the Immigration and Nationality Act. It raises the mandatory prison term for unlawful entry (Section 275) from 2 to 5 years and adds new provisions for aliens who commit crimes after entry. For reentry after removal (Section 276), it increases the base penalty to up to 10 years imprisonment, with enhanced penalties of up to 15 years for those with prior drug or violent crime convictions, and mandatory minimums of 10 years or more for those with prior aggravated felonies, multiple removals, or prior convictions for serious crimes. The bill directly affects noncitizens who enter the U.S. illegally or reenter after being removed, with penalties applying to specific categories of prior criminal conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pension plan administrators to locate and notify beneficiaries of unclaimed retirement funds ($50 or more) before transferring them to state unclaimed property programs. Administrators must first attempt to update contact information through databases and send a clear notice explaining the transfer process, unless no updated contact can be found. It establishes a national clearinghouse for states to manage these transfers and mandates regular reports to the Labor Secretary about unclaimed funds, including beneficiary details. The law protects administrators from liability if they follow these procedures, ensuring forgotten retirement savings can be recovered by rightful owners through state programs.