Rep. Lance Gooden

Maddy summaryThe Protecting American Railroad Workers' Jobs Act of 2026 requires freight trains crossing the southern border into the United States to stop for crew changes and safety inspections. Under this bill, only railroad workers who are U.S. nationals or lawfully authorized aliens with a primary reporting point in the U.S. may operate these trains after the stop. The legislation also prohibits crew members from performing any duties while physically outside the United States. These provisions directly affect railroad carriers operating freight trains across the Mexico border and the workers employed on those trains.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens consumer protections and corporate accountability in bankruptcy proceedings by making it easier for courts to dismiss or convert Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases filed in bad faith. It requires courts to dismiss cases that are objectively futile or filed in subjective bad faith, such as when debtors manufacture legal venues, seek tactical advantages, delay creditors, or cap liability to multiple creditors. The legislation also limits automatic stays that protect debtors from lawsuits, particularly in cases involving mass torts or claims affecting at least 100 individuals, and clarifies rules around setoffs and creditor recognition. These changes directly affect corporate debtors, creditors, and bankruptcy courts by tightening restrictions on abusive bankruptcy filings while preserving protections for final judgments entered before the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThe ALERT Act (HR 7613) requires the Federal Aviation Administration to improve aviation safety through several key measures. It mandates the evaluation and potential implementation of enhanced collision avoidance systems (ACAS-Xa) for commercial aircraft and ACAS-Xr for rotorcraft, with specific deadlines for rulemaking and installation. The bill establishes committees to develop recommendations for safety technology requirements, requires safety risk assessments for air traffic controllers, and addresses operational procedures at high-traffic airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National. These provisions affect air carriers, air traffic controllers, rotorcraft operators, and Department of Defense aircraft operations. The act aims to enhance situational awareness and reduce midair collision risks through technology upgrades and improved safety protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act of 2026, establishes rules for how religious organizations are treated under federal tax law and financial assistance programs. It directs the IRS to determine whether an organization's purpose is religious without considering its specific beliefs about marriage, sexuality, or gender identity, even if those beliefs conflict with current laws. The legislation also prohibits federal agencies from discriminating against religious employers that receive federal funding if those employers hire staff based on their religious standards. These protections apply to religious corporations, associations, educational institutions, and societies, ensuring they can maintain employment practices aligned with their faith when receiving government support.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Americans with Disabilities Act to require a 30-day notice period before lawsuits can be filed over inaccessible public accommodations. It mandates that individuals denied access due to architectural barriers must first provide businesses with specific written notice identifying the exact barrier. Businesses then have 30 days to either provide a written plan for removal or make substantial progress on fixing the barrier. This directly affects disabled individuals seeking access and businesses operating public spaces like restaurants or stores. The change delays legal action until after this notice-and-cure period, aiming to encourage voluntary compliance before litigation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI), a trade organization founded in 1926. The bill commends SAAMI for developing industry standards that ensure firearms and ammunition are safe, reliable, and interchangeable. It acknowledges the organization's work in coordinating with government bodies, international standards groups, and industry stakeholders to maintain consistent safety practices. This measure is a ceremonial resolution that does not change any laws or regulations but serves to honor SAAMI's century of leadership in the firearms industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new article to the U.S. Constitution to explicitly state that only citizens can vote in federal elections. The amendment would apply to all federal elections, including those for President, Vice President, Senators, and Representatives. It gives state legislatures the authority to create enforcement rules while reserving the power for Congress to make or alter regulations and enforce the rule in Washington, D.C. The measure would require ratification by conventions in three-fourths of the states before becoming part of the Constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to classify establishments that implement Sharia law as discriminating on the basis of religion. It would directly affect businesses and organizations that follow or apply Islamic legal principles in their operations. The key mechanism adds a new provision to existing civil rights law, allowing affected parties to claim religious discrimination if an establishment uses Sharia law. The bill does not define what constitutes implementing Sharia law or establish specific enforcement procedures beyond the existing civil rights framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to add 7-hydroxymitragynine to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, classifying it as a controlled substance. The legislation specifically excludes naturally occurring 7-hydroxymitragynine found in kratom plants from this classification while including synthetic versions. This change would require federal regulation of synthetic forms of the compound but would not affect kratom products containing the substance in its natural state. The bill directly impacts pharmaceutical manufacturers and synthetic drug producers who would need to comply with new federal scheduling requirements.

Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 This bill imposes sanctions on certain foreign persons (individuals and entities) that are involved in Iran's petroleum sector as well as certain associated persons. The bill also requires or authorizes actions to facilitate the enforcement of sanctions on Iran. Specifically, the bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person that, after the bill's enactment, knowingly engages in any transaction related to the processing, export, or sale of oil, condensates, gas, liquefied natural gas, or other petrochemical products in whole or in part from Iran. The President must also impose sanctions on certain foreign persons associated with a sanctioned individual or entity. For example, the President must sanction the subsidiaries and corporate officers of a sanctioned business. The bill provides certain exceptions to these sanctions, including specifying that sanctions do not apply to the importation of goods or to conducting or facilitating transactions for humanitarian assistance. The Department of State must establish an interagency working group that shall seek to establish a multilateral contact group to coordinate international efforts to enforce sanctions on Iran. The bill expands the State Department rewards program to authorize a reward payment to any individual who furnishes information leading to the identification of a person (1) subject to sanctions under this bill, or (2) that has attempted or is attempting to evade sanctions under this bill.