Rep. Mark Alford

Maddy summaryThis House resolution supports designating the week of September 20 through September 26, 2026, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week." It aims to honor the families of service members and veterans who have died in the line of duty. The bill encourages Americans to observe this annual week by performing acts of community service and celebrating the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Maddy summaryThe 504 Program Level Flexibility Act allows the Small Business Administration to exceed its annual loan guarantee limit by up to 15 percent if demand for financing from qualified state or local development companies is high. This provision applies starting in fiscal year 2027 and requires the agency administrator to notify specific congressional committees at least 30 days before using this extra authority. The bill also restricts the SBA to using this flexibility measure no more than once per fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias starting January 1, 2028. It defines eligible tests as FDA-cleared genomic blood tests, blood product analyses, or equivalent medical imaging methods (like protein expression or whole genome sequencing) that detect pre-symptomatic or early-stage conditions. Medicare beneficiaries would receive this coverage without cost-sharing for these specific screenings. The bill amends Medicare coverage rules to explicitly include these tests under Section 1861(nnn) of the Social Security Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Northern Border Security Review Act to update deadlines and requirements for border security assessments. It requires the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to submit a northern border threat analysis by September 2, 2026, and every two years after, with strategy updates due 90 days after each analysis. The bill also mandates classified briefings to congressional committees 30 days after each threat analysis and directs the development of performance measures for Air and Marine Operations within six months of enactment. These changes directly affect the DHS Secretary, congressional committees, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's operations along the northern border.

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 summaryHR 1266, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, adds xylazine - a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit drug mixtures - to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, regulating its use and trafficking. It directly affects veterinarians, animal owners, and manufacturers by allowing xylazine to be legally dispensed for animal use under specific veterinary prescriptions, while prohibiting non-veterinary human use. The bill includes transition periods (60 days for practitioners, 1 year for labeling) to ease compliance for manufacturers and practitioners, and requires the DEA and FDA to expedite necessary applications. It also mandates two congressional reports on xylazine's illicit use and trafficking patterns, and directs the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for offenses involving xylazine.

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 commemorates the 30th anniversary of the State Partnership Program between Missouri and Panama, which was established in 1996 to foster military cooperation. The bill highlights how this partnership has expanded beyond security to include joint training exercises, disaster response, cybersecurity efforts, and educational exchanges between institutions in both regions. It also notes the economic ties between the two, citing significant trade flows and the strategic importance of the Panama Canal for Missouri businesses. By formally recognizing these achievements, the resolution encourages continued collaboration and reaffirms U.S. support for partnerships that promote regional stability and mutual prosperity.

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.