Rep. Ken Calvert

Maddy summaryHR 7112, the Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to clearly inform veterans about their rights regarding VA healthcare, benefits, and services. It codifies 10 specific rights, including access to care (from VA or community providers), respect and dignity, informed consent, awareness of benefits, and the right to file complaints without retaliation. The bill mandates that the VA integrate these rights into all policies, train employees annually, prominently display them at facilities and online, include them in transition programs, and make them accessible via VA apps and portals within 180 days of enactment. This law focuses on improving transparency and accountability in VA interactions but does not create new legal rights or change eligibility requirements for benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 3453, the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act, creates new federal grants to help educator-led teams plan and open charter schools. It provides up to $100,000 per team for pre-charter planning, targeting groups led by educators with at least 4.5 years of school-based experience (including after-school programs) and a demonstrated ability to lead. To qualify, teams must submit a community needs assessment and a plan showing how their proposed school will address those needs. The bill reserves 5% of relevant funding for these educator-led grants, adjusting existing ESEA grant formulas to prioritize this new support. This directly affects educators seeking to start charter schools and the communities where those schools would operate.

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 summaryHR 2641 requires all federal contractors and subcontractors (at every tier) to elect participation in the E-Verify program, which checks the employment eligibility of new hires. This bill amends the 1996 Immigration Act to mandate that every contractor working with federal agencies must use E-Verify for all new employees. It directly affects businesses that contract with the federal government, including those providing services or goods to agencies. The key mechanism is the mandatory election to participate in E-Verify, replacing the current voluntary system for federal contractors.

Maddy summaryHR 179, the Proven Forest Management Act of 2025, requires U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department managers to conduct forest management activities on National Forest System land in ways that achieve multiple ecosystem benefits - including reducing wildfire fuels, maintaining biodiversity, improving water quality, and increasing climate resilience. It simplifies environmental reviews for fuel-reduction projects under 10,000 acres (with no more than 3,000 acres of mechanical thinning) by exempting them from standard National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, provided projects are coordinated with local governments and fire departments. The bill also mandates post-activity monitoring of ground conditions and allows cooperative agreements with local entities for activities like erosion control and stream restoration. This directly affects federal forest managers and local stakeholders involved in wildfire risk reduction on public lands.

Maddy summaryHR 178 requires the U.S. Forest Service (under the Secretary of Agriculture) to put out wildfires on specific National Forest lands within 24 hours of detection. It directly affects National Forest System lands in areas experiencing severe drought (D2-D4 ratings), high fire risk (National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level 5), or in the top 10% of wildfire exposure risk. Key provisions mandate using all available resources for rapid suppression, prohibiting interference with state/local firefighting efforts, and strictly limiting the use of planned controlled burns or backfires (only allowed under specific safety orders or to protect personnel). The bill does not create new funding but sets operational requirements for wildfire response on defined high-risk lands.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 978) expresses the House of Representatives' sorrow over the death of former California Representative Doug LaMalfa. It directs the Clerk to notify the Senate and the deceased's family of the House's condolences and mandates that the House adjourn immediately as a mark of respect. The resolution affects House members and LaMalfa's family, serving solely as a ceremonial tribute with no policy changes or broader impact. It is a standard memorial procedure for deceased members, not a substantive legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution (HRES 952) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for Gibraltar's right to determine its own political status as a British Overseas Territory through self-determination. It recognizes Gibraltar's democratic choices - where over 98% of voters chose to remain under British sovereignty in 1967 and 2002 - and highlights Gibraltar's historical role in U.S. military operations, including World War II and NATO missions. The resolution affirms that Gibraltarians' views must be central to any discussions about Gibraltar's future status, while acknowledging the territory's strategic importance to U.S. security interests in the Mediterranean. As a non-binding resolution, it does not alter U.S. policy but formally honors Gibraltar's contributions and right to self-determination under international law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows groups of small businesses or self-employed individuals to form a single health plan that treats all members as one employer for coverage purposes. It directly affects small business associations and self-employed people who can join such groups to access pooled health coverage, provided they meet specific requirements (e.g., 51+ total employees, 2+ years in existence, no health-based discrimination). Key mechanisms include permitting modified community rating for premiums (based on pooled claims) while prohibiting health status-related discrimination in enrollment, premiums, or pre-existing condition coverage. The plan remains subject to federal ERISA rules, and self-employed members must meet defined criteria to participate as both employers and employees.

Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act This act provides for the award of Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team in recognition of the team's achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.