Rep. Jeff Crank

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Robert Lodge Medal of Honor Act, authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Robert Lodge. It directly affects Lodge by recognizing his acts of valor as an Air Force member during the Vietnam War on May 10, 1972. The legislation specifically overrides existing time limits that usually prevent such awards decades after service. By doing so, it ensures Lodge receives the nation's highest military decoration for his bravery.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases monthly disability compensation for veterans eligible for aid and attendance by adding a $833.33 supplemental payment, effective December 2026. It also creates an automatic adjustment for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payments, tying them to Social Security benefit increases plus an additional 1%, for up to five years starting December 2026. Additionally, it temporarily allows the VA to collect fees for certain housing loans from veterans with a 70% or lower disability rating (2025-2035), effective August 2026. These changes directly affect veterans receiving disability compensation, surviving family members receiving DIC, and veterans applying for VA-guaranteed housing loans.

Maddy summaryHR 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from automatically sending veterans' personal information to the national background check system (NICS) solely because a court has appointed a fiduciary (like a guardian) to manage their benefits. This directly affects veterans who have a fiduciary appointed due to mental health or cognitive challenges but are not deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill requires a court order finding the veteran poses a danger before any such information can be shared with the NICS. It changes VA procedures to block unnecessary barriers to firearm ownership for veterans who qualify for fiduciary support without a judicial determination of danger.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents the Army from deactivating or reducing the capabilities of its Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigades between 2027 and 2031 without first getting approval from Congress. It requires the Army Secretary to submit a detailed plan and certification showing how aircraft and personnel levels will be restored before any reductions can happen. Additionally, the law mandates that any brigades already cut back before the bill passes must be fully reinstated within one year, and it authorizes $35 million for aircraft operations and training in 2027.

Maddy summaryThe BEACON Act of 2026 establishes two grant programs to improve treatment for veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It authorizes $30 million over three years for grants to nonprofits, academic institutions, and health providers to develop and test non-drug neurorehabilitation approaches, focusing on mental health outcomes, suicide risk reduction, and long-term recovery. The bill requires grantees to prioritize patient-centered care, conduct clinical studies, and partner with VA facilities, with each grant capped at $5 million annually. A separate $10 million annual program funds independent research on TBI treatments, requiring third-party analysis and annual reports to Congress. The pilot programs expire after three years, with evaluations to determine future expansion.

Maddy summaryThe Armed Forces Carry Rights Protection Act of 2026 modifies federal law to make it easier for military personnel to carry personal firearms on military bases when they are not on duty. Under this bill, commanders would face a legal presumption in favor of approving such requests, shifting the default stance toward allowing carry rather than restricting it. If a commander does deny a request, the law requires them to provide a written explanation that is specific to the individual and based on objective criteria. This change directly affects active-duty service members and the commanders who evaluate their requests for firearm authorization on installation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to analyze indirect economic costs on small businesses when creating new rules, including costs affecting businesses that interact with regulated entities (like suppliers or partners). It creates a new process allowing small businesses to petition the Small Business Administration's Chief Counsel to review agency certifications claiming a rule won't significantly impact them. Agencies must then provide detailed cost analyses, publish guidance online for small business feedback, and face penalties if they fail to cooperate with reviews. The bill does not change existing regulations but adds new review steps for small business input.

Maddy summaryH.R. 1242 is a resolution that officially designates the first Friday of May as National Space Day to honor the contributions of the aerospace community. It recognizes the achievements of government agencies like NASA and the Space Force, as well as private industry and educational partners, in advancing space exploration and technology. The bill highlights specific milestones such as the Apollo moon landing, the Artemis program, and the development of the James Webb Space Telescope. By supporting this observance, the House aims to celebrate past innovations and encourage STEM education for future generations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the STOP Resolution, mandates that all Members, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives who access classified information complete specific counterintelligence and security training each Congress. The House Administration Committee will establish rules requiring this training within 90 days of the resolution's adoption, with exemptions for individuals who already completed similar training during their initial orientation. As a direct consequence of non-compliance, Members will be denied access to classified materials until they finish the course, while officers and employees will face an additional 180-day waiting period before receiving such access.

Maddy summaryThe FIRE Act amends the Clean Air Act to clarify when air quality monitoring data affected by wildfires or prescribed fire (a state-approved wildfire risk mitigation practice) can be excluded from compliance calculations with air quality standards. It expands the definition of "exceptional events" to include natural wildfires and human activities mimicking natural events (like prescribed burns), while excluding common weather patterns and pollution from noncompliance. The bill requires the EPA to conduct regional analysis for multistate wildfire events and create a public website tracking state petitions for data exclusion. This change primarily affects how states and the EPA handle air quality data during wildfire seasons and when using prescribed fire as a management tool.