Rep. Mark Pocan

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the establishment of two memorials honoring Wisconsin infantry regiments at Civil War battle sites. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to approve locations within Antietam National Battlefield for regiments that fought at Antietam (1862) and within Manassas National Battlefield Park for regiments that fought at the Second Battle of Bull Run (1862). The memorials must be funded and built by private entities - no federal funds may be used for design, acquisition, site preparation, or installation - and the National Park Service will assume maintenance responsibility after installation.

Maddy summaryThe Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act prohibits the President and federal officials from changing the official names of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, or Lake Ontario. The bill specifically nullifies Executive Order 14422, which had renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America, and bans any further attempts to alter these geographic names through similar executive actions. Additionally, it forbids the use of federal funds to implement or enforce the revoked order or any comparable measures.

Maddy summaryHR 5831 designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 306 South Main Street in Waupaca, Wisconsin, as the "Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich Post Office Building." The bill updates all official federal references - such as laws, maps, and documents - to use this new name for the building. It does not create new policies or affect services, but formally changes the facility's official designation. The bill directly impacts how the building is identified in all federal communications and records.

Maddy summaryThe Green New Deal for Public Schools Act directs over $700 billion in federal funding to public schools, prioritizing those serving the most vulnerable communities based on CDC social vulnerability rankings. The legislation establishes a new Office of Sustainable Schools and authorizes grants for "healthy green retrofits" that convert school buildings into zero-carbon facilities with clean air, water, and energy systems, while also providing funds to hire additional educators, mental health professionals, and support staff. Additionally, the bill mandates increased federal funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and creates a climate resiliency program that allows schools to function as community centers during natural disasters. All grant recipients must adhere to strict labor standards, including prevailing wage requirements, Buy American provisions, and local hiring goals that prioritize residents of the surrounding community.

Maddy summaryThe Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026 broadens eligibility for early childhood education services by including recipients of various public assistance programs, such as food stamps and Medicaid, in the definition of qualifying families. The bill authorizes $36 billion annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to support these expanded operations and creates a separate grant program providing $1 billion per year until 2030 for agencies to repair or upgrade aging facilities with safety hazards. Additionally, the legislation establishes a loan forgiveness program that cancels federal student loans for childcare workers who complete three years of full-time service in Head Start or Early Head Start programs. Finally, it authorizes $6.8 billion annually through 2032 to provide salary supplements to Head Start employees, with funding allocated based on local wage gaps and cost-of-living factors.

Maddy summaryThe Equity in STI Testing Act requires Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover screening tests for HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia without charging beneficiaries any out-of-pocket costs. The bill directly affects patients enrolled in these federal health programs by eliminating copayments and deductibles specifically for these preventive screenings. It also mandates that the Indian Health Service provide these tests to eligible Native Americans at no cost, regardless of whether the services are typically authorized under their purchased or referred care systems. These changes take effect on different timelines depending on the specific program, with some provisions applying immediately upon enactment and others starting in the following calendar year.

Maddy summaryThe Temporary Protected Status Review Act restores the ability of courts to review decisions by the Department of Homeland Security to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for foreign nationals. Under this bill, the government must publish detailed written findings explaining why a country no longer qualifies for TPS protection, and these decisions would be subject to a legal challenge in federal court. If a TPS designation is terminated, the affected individuals would remain in the United States with their current status and work authorization intact while the legal challenge is pending. Additionally, the legislation requires the government to follow specific administrative procedures, such as considering all available evidence and avoiding bias, before making any termination decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal protections and funding to expand access to in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination for individuals, military service members, and veterans. It requires most private health plans, Medicaid programs, and Medicare to cover these fertility treatments without imposing higher cost-sharing than other medical services. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs provide specific fertility preservation and treatment benefits to uniformed service members and eligible veterans. The bill also includes preemption clauses that override state laws restricting these procedures and prohibits discrimination based on marital status, sex, or sexual orientation in the provision of care.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the No AI Data Centers on Federal Lands Act, prohibits the construction and operation of large-scale artificial intelligence data centers on any land owned or managed by the United States government. It requires federal agencies to immediately stop building or running such facilities and mandates the removal of existing structures within 30 days of the law's enactment. The legislation defines these centers as buildings with high power usage or advanced cooling systems used for developing AI models, while also specifying that any cleanup must follow environmental safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands federal election laws to prevent foreign nationals from influencing U.S. elections by tightening restrictions on domestic companies with significant foreign ownership or control. It requires businesses that are at least 50% owned by foreign individuals, or those with specific foreign influence, to file a sworn certification proving they are not foreign-controlled before making any political donations or spending money on election activities. Additionally, the law clarifies that these rules apply to state and local ballot initiatives and mandates that corporate political action funds certify their managers and board members are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The legislation also prohibits recipients of funds from these businesses from using the money for further political contributions unless they receive and verify the required compliance certification.