Rep. Lance Gooden

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 summaryThe PORCUPINE Act amends the Arms Export Control Act to include Taiwan alongside New Zealand and Israel in specific certification and reporting requirements related to U.S. arms exports. This legislative change ensures Taiwan is treated similarly to these allied nations in certain foreign policy contexts involving defense article transfers. The bill also directs the Secretary of State to assess the feasibility of creating an expedited licensing process for military equipment transfers from designated allies to Taiwan within 90 days. Additionally, the act requires biennial reports on the implementation of these amendments and includes a provision stating that the legislation does not alter existing U.S. policy toward Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act. The entire measure is set to expire seven years after its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits large card issuers (with over $100 billion in assets) from requiring credit card transactions to process through only one payment network. It allows merchants to direct transactions to any available network and bans restrictions on security technologies that favor specific networks. The Federal Reserve must issue these rules within one year of the bill's enactment. The law applies broadly to credit card processing but excludes certain 3-party payment systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the interstate trade and possession of captive mink raised for fur production, directly affecting fur farmers and businesses involved in the mink fur supply chain. It includes an exception for entities covered under existing Lacey Act provisions and authorizes the Secretary to buy out mink farms at a price based on the farmer's recent mink population and farm infrastructure value. The law aims to end commercial mink farming for fur by banning related commerce while offering a voluntary transition option for affected farms. It does not apply to wild mink or non-fur-related mink uses.

Maddy summaryHR 2426 requires the VA Secretary to commission an independent study comparing the quality of mental health and addiction care provided by VA health care providers versus non-VA providers for veterans. The study must examine health outcomes, use of proven treatment methods, care coordination, veteran satisfaction, and access times across different care types like telehealth and in-person visits. It mandates a report to Congress and public release within 18 months, detailing findings on factors like symptom improvement, suicide risk assessment, and whether veterans with multiple conditions receive integrated care. This bill directly affects veterans seeking mental health or addiction therapy services and aims to identify gaps in care quality between VA and non-VA systems.

Maddy summaryHR 909, the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025, modifies how funds from the False Claims Act are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. It specifies that from 2025 through 2029, certain False Claims Act proceeds (specifically those for qui tam plaintiff payments and government damage reimbursements) cannot be deposited into the fund. This change directly affects the composition of the Crime Victims Fund by excluding these specific revenue streams during the specified period. The bill does not create new benefits or alter victim services; it only adjusts fund allocation rules for existing False Claims Act revenues.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an EB-5 Regional Center Program Advisory Committee within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to advise on the EB-5 visa program. The committee, composed of up to 35 diverse representatives from EB-5 regional centers (covering categories like high-unemployment areas, rural projects, and infrastructure) and local/state governments, will focus on program improvements related to job creation, capital investment, fraud prevention, and processing efficiency. It must submit annual reports to USCIS and hold public meetings, but cannot make case-specific recommendations. The committee terminates once all pending EB-5 applications are processed, and the bill does not alter existing EB-5 program rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames the Dallas, Texas Department of Veterans Affairs medical center at 4500 South Lancaster Road as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson VA Medical Center." It directly affects the facility and all official references to it in federal documents, laws, and records. The key provision (Section 2(a)) officially changes the facility's name upon enactment, and Section 2(b) requires all future references to use the new name. The bill is procedural, honoring Congresswoman Johnson's service to veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new payment system for skin substitute products (materials applied to wounds that remain within the wound bed) under Medicare, setting specific payment amounts and annual updates based on inflation. It requires the creation of a new billing code for these products by January 2026, ensures equal reimbursement regardless of where treatment occurs, and creates oversight for providers with unusually high payments. The bill also directs the FDA to review and potentially streamline approval processes for human tissue-based regenerative medicine products. These changes aim to improve access to advanced wound care while maintaining proper oversight of Medicare payments.

Maddy summaryHR 3492, the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, makes it a federal crime to perform genital or bodily mutilation or chemical castration on minors under 18, except for specific medical reasons. The bill broadly defines prohibited procedures to include gender transition-related surgeries (like hysterectomies or mastectomies) and medical treatments such as puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones administered to minors. It criminalizes these acts when they occur across state lines, involve payments, or use interstate commerce, while explicitly banning religious tradition as a defense. Exceptions include medically necessary procedures for health emergencies, childbirth, or conditions certified by a physician.