Rep. Mike Kennedy

Maddy summaryHRES 1041 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of February 8, 2026, as "Scouting America Day" to celebrate the 116th anniversary of the organization's incorporation. It recognizes Scouting America's history, including its founding in 1910, its youth development programs, and its contributions to community service (e.g., over 7 million service hours in 2025). The resolution does not create new laws or directly affect any group, as it serves only as a symbolic expression of congressional support. It honors Scouting America's role in fostering leadership and character among youth, citing its long-standing partnership with national initiatives like America 250.

Maddy summaryHR 7371 (No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026) bans air carriers from transporting adult roosters as cargo, except for shipments originating from or destined to qualifying commercial farms. The bill requires shippers to provide USDA-certified documentation proving the farm meets the $350,000 annual gross income threshold for commercial operations. It defines "adult rooster" as a male chicken over 6 months old and specifies that exemptions apply only to legitimate agricultural purposes, not to prevent illegal activities like cockfighting. The Department of Transportation will enforce this rule, with violations subject to civil penalties, effective 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare plans (including Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans) to base coverage decisions on medical necessity and evidence-based standards. It mandates that plans seek input from practicing physicians when creating or changing coverage rules, post all preauthorization requirements online in plain language, and publicly share statistics on approvals and denials. The bill also requires that adverse coverage decisions be made by licensed, board-certified physicians and prohibits denying coverage solely due to lack of evidence-based standards when none exist for a service. These changes aim to reduce unnecessary delays in care for Medicare beneficiaries by increasing transparency and clinical input in coverage decisions.

Maddy summaryThe Streamline Transit Projects Act (HR 6491) allows large urban transit agencies (with populations over 200,000) to assume responsibility for environmental reviews of routine transit projects, such as bus lanes or minor station upgrades, that typically qualify as "categorical exclusions" under federal law. This means qualifying agencies - like major city transit authorities - can skip full environmental impact studies for these standard projects, instead conducting their own reviews under federal guidelines. The bill requires agencies to meet capacity standards, enter formal agreements with the federal government, and handle all legal liability for compliance, while still maintaining public access to information. The change directly affects large metropolitan transit agencies by shifting environmental review responsibilities from federal officials to local entities, aiming to accelerate project timelines without altering environmental standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain less-than-lethal projectile devices from federal sales taxes and National Firearms Act restrictions. It directly affects manufacturers, importers, and producers of these devices, which are defined as non-lethal tools (like rubber bullets or beanbag rounds) designed not to cause serious injury and unable to be easily converted to use standard firearm ammunition. Key mechanisms include a 90-day classification process for manufacturers seeking exemption, an annual public list of approved devices, and annual congressional reports on devices excluded from the exemption. The policy change applies to devices meeting specific safety criteria, such as projectile velocity limits and design features preventing misuse as conventional weapons.

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill (1) provides for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses. Individuals voting in federal elections must present an eligible photo identification document. An individual who votes by absentee ballot must submit a copy of their identification document with both the request for, and the submission of, the absentee ballot.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most employers (those with 50+ employees for 20+ weeks annually) to display a clear notice about veterans' benefits in visible workplace areas. The notice, developed by the Labor and Veterans Affairs Departments, includes the Veterans Crisis Line, how to apply for benefits, and state-specific veteran resources. Employers must post the notice starting one year after the bill's enactment, with the notice updated twice yearly and made available online. A 180-day information campaign will also inform employers about the requirement.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE KIDS Act would void surrogacy contracts between U.S. surrogates and foreign nationals from designated "foreign entities of concern" (nations listed under 10 U.S.C. §4872(f)(2)), except for married couples where at least one prospective parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. It prohibits surrogacy brokers from facilitating such contracts, imposing fines or up to one year in prison for knowingly arranging these agreements. If a contract is voided, custody decisions for the child would be determined by state courts based solely on the child’s best interests, disregarding the invalid agreement. The bill aims to address what Congress identifies as a national security threat involving exploitation of U.S. surrogacy laws and potential human trafficking.

Maddy summaryHR 7156, the SCAM Act, would expand grounds for revoking U.S. citizenship (denaturalization) for naturalized citizens who commit specific offenses within 10 years of becoming citizens. It targets individuals convicted of defrauding federal, state, or local governments (e.g., $10,000+ in public benefit fraud), affiliating with foreign terrorist organizations, or committing aggravated felonies or espionage. If convicted in these categories, the government could automatically revoke citizenship retroactively (as if it never existed) based on evidence that the person lacked good moral character or loyalty to the U.S. at the time of naturalization. This bill directly affects naturalized citizens who commit these offenses within a decade of gaining citizenship, with revocation triggering immediate deportability.

Maddy summaryHR 7074 requires the Secretary of the Interior to join the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) when reviewing transactions involving land or resources near federal lands managed by agencies like the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, or Bureau of Indian Affairs. It specifically targets acquisitions by foreign entities from China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran, mandating CFIUS to assess whether such transactions - reported by the Interior Secretary - constitute a "covered transaction" requiring review. The bill creates a new process for evaluating these land deals, with the review ending for a specific country once it’s removed from the U.S. list of "foreign adversaries." This directly affects foreign buyers from those four nations seeking to acquire land adjacent to federally protected areas.