Rep. Austin Scott

This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 7567) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2031, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2616) to require public elementary and middle schools that receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to obtain parental consent before changing a minor's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form or sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 33) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035; providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1318) to direct the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a program to identify American-Jewish servicemembers buried in United States military cemeteries overseas under markers that incorrectly represent their religion and heritage, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1346) to amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid Vapor Pressure under that Act, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThe Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026 aims to speed up care decisions and increase transparency for Medicare Advantage enrollees and providers. Starting in 2028, the bill requires insurance plans to respond to most prior authorization requests within 72 hours and to provide real-time decisions for low-risk services, while also banning requirements for re-authorization when a treatment plan is clinically modified. The legislation introduces a new compliance scoring system that will publicly rank plans and reduce payments to those with poor performance, alongside stricter rules ensuring medical necessity standards match those of traditional Medicare.

Maddy summaryHR 5543, the Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025, requires the U.S. State and Defense Departments to submit a report within 180 days of enactment. The report will assess emerging military, cyber, hybrid, and political threats to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, including the roles of Russia, Belarus, China, Iran, and other actors. It will also evaluate U.S. and NATO military presence in the region, opportunities for defense cooperation, and recommendations to strengthen deterrence, cybersecurity, and democratic resilience in the Baltic countries. This bill directly affects U.S. foreign policy and defense planning regarding the Baltics, but does not create new programs or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 8322 extends specific foreign intelligence surveillance authorities used by U.S. intelligence agencies. The bill postpones the repeal date of Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which includes Section 702, until April 30, 2026. This allows intelligence agencies to continue collecting foreign intelligence information under these provisions for an additional period. The legislation also extends the associated transition procedures related to these authorities.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution sets up the process for considering a separate bill that would extend certain surveillance authorities through October 20, 2027. The resolution does not change any laws itself but allows the House to move forward with H.R. 8035, which would amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to keep in place powers related to electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes. By waiving points of order and limiting debate, the resolution streamlines the legislative process for this specific bill. The measure directly affects the legal framework governing how intelligence agencies conduct surveillance activities under existing federal law.

Maddy summaryThe Maverick Act authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer three F-14D Tomcat aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama, without charge to the Commission. The Commission would be responsible for all costs associated with the aircraft, including conveyance, operation, and maintenance. The bill requires the aircraft to be demilitarized and used exclusively for public display, airshows, or commemorative events to preserve naval aviation heritage. The Commission must also comply with all Federal Aviation Administration regulations, and if these conditions are violated, ownership of the aircraft would revert to the United States.

Maddy summaryThe ALERT Act (HR 7613) requires the Federal Aviation Administration to improve aviation safety through several key measures. It mandates the evaluation and potential implementation of enhanced collision avoidance systems (ACAS-Xa) for commercial aircraft and ACAS-Xr for rotorcraft, with specific deadlines for rulemaking and installation. The bill establishes committees to develop recommendations for safety technology requirements, requires safety risk assessments for air traffic controllers, and addresses operational procedures at high-traffic airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National. These provisions affect air carriers, air traffic controllers, rotorcraft operators, and Department of Defense aircraft operations. The act aims to enhance situational awareness and reduce midair collision risks through technology upgrades and improved safety protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends and expands a federal program that provides free legal and accounting services to help heirs resolve ownership disputes on farmland and forest land with multiple owners. It authorizes up to $60 million annually through 2031 to fund nonprofit organizations that offer these services at no cost to underserved heirs, who are defined as individuals with low income, members of socially disadvantaged groups, or veterans. The program requires participating organizations to report their progress annually and allows for limited expansion to heirs whose land is not currently farmland but could be used for agriculture, conservation, or forestry. Additionally, the bill updates the program's authorization period and requires annual reporting on the program's operations and outcomes to Congress.

Love Lives On Act of 2025 This bill extends entitlement for various benefit programs and services for surviving spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces or veterans. The bill provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse must not bar the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation or special pension benefits to such spouse. Additionally, the Department of Defense may not terminate the payment of an annuity for a surviving spouse under the Survivor Benefit Plan solely because the surviving spouse remarries. The bill also expands the definition of a dependent under TRICARE to include a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating March 24, 2026, as National Agriculture Day to honor the agricultural industry. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize agriculture's economic importance in the United States. The measure is a non-binding expression of appreciation rather than a legislative action with enforceable provisions.