Rep. Jim Costa

Maddy summaryHR 4288 would rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the "Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic." The bill directly affects this specific VA facility, updating all official references to it. The key provision requires the clinic to be designated by this new name in all federal records, documents, and maps following the bill's enactment. This is a procedural naming bill honoring Corporal Tillman, a former NFL player and Army Ranger killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to create new "seasonally flooded working lands habitat conservation agreements." It allows farmers to maintain wetland-dependent wildlife habitats on working cropland by permitting seasonal flooding with specific best management practices, while also enabling enrollment of adjacent non-eligible agricultural land critical for habitat goals. The bill establishes regional rental payment rates based on actual habitat maintenance costs and waives matching requirements for these agreements. It directly affects farmers participating in USDA conservation programs who manage lands supporting Pacific Flyway migratory bird habitats.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic pre-approval systems for medical services by 2028 and meet transparency reporting standards starting in 2027. Plans must publicly report data on approval/denial rates, appeal outcomes, response times, and technology use for pre-approval requests, including details on how denials relate to clinical criteria. It establishes a 24-hour response timeframe for certain requests and mandates annual reviews of pre-approval requirements based on data and input from seniors and providers. The law directly affects Medicare Advantage plans, seniors enrolled in these plans, and healthcare providers who submit pre-approval requests. These changes aim to make the pre-approval process faster, more transparent, and more accountable for seniors seeking covered medical services.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day to honor the workers who maintain the nation's electrical grid. The bill specifically recognizes the dangerous conditions these employees face, such as working at heights near live power lines and responding to disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. It also commemorates Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died on July 10, 1896, while performing his duties. Ultimately, the measure encourages the public to observe this day with reflection on the contributions of lineworkers.

Maddy summaryThe Jewish American Security Act aims to combat antisemitism by strengthening protections for Jewish students, securing Jewish communities, and increasing transparency regarding online hate speech. For educational institutions receiving federal funds, the bill mandates the creation of specific coordinators to handle discrimination complaints, requires annual training on handling antisemitism, and establishes a new federal clearinghouse to share best practices for campus safety. To support physical security, the legislation expands grant funding for nonprofit organizations and directs the Attorney General to provide resources for law enforcement agencies protecting houses of worship. Additionally, the act requires major online platforms with over 50 million monthly users to submit detailed reports to the Federal Trade Commission on how they detect, remove, and moderate antisemitic content.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution directs Congress to disapprove a specific foreign military sale of defense articles and services to Turkey. The measure targets the provision of engines, technical data, and related support for the TF-X aircraft, which was proposed for sale in June 2026. By prohibiting this transaction, the bill prevents the transfer of these specific defense capabilities to the Turkish government. It directly affects the proposed sale and the entities involved in supplying the F110-GE-129E/F engines.

Maddy summaryThe Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act establishes a five-year pilot program where the Department of Agriculture provides grants to states to offer monthly $60 payments to low-income households for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. To qualify, households must earn 80 percent or less of the area median income, though those already receiving SNAP benefits can enroll with minimal paperwork. The funds can only be used at specific retailers like farmers markets and grocery stores to buy fresh produce, and states must use these grants to cover administrative costs and support local community organizations. The bill requires states to prioritize food-insecure areas and ensures geographic diversity by awarding grants to at least one state in each major U.S. region. Additionally, the program mandates a study to collect data on participant outcomes and barriers to access, with final results and recommendations for expansion due within five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Strategic Defense Innovation Working Group to facilitate cooperation between the United States and Ukraine on developing and producing unmanned military systems. The group, led by senior U.S. defense officials and including Ukrainian representatives, will identify effective drone technologies used by Ukraine and explore ways to co-develop, co-produce, and acquire them in the United States. Key provisions include creating frameworks for sharing military data and intellectual property, assessing supply chains to avoid reliance on adversarial nations, and reporting regularly to Congress on progress and legal barriers. The initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of proven Ukrainian drone capabilities while ensuring secure and compliant integration into U.S. defense efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 4398, the Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act, requires Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians or nurse practitioners to certify the death of a veteran who dies of natural causes within 48 hours of learning of the death. This directly affects veterans' families, who previously faced delays of up to eight weeks in burial and access to survivor benefits due to slow death certifications. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress on VA compliance with the 48-hour rule, including statistics on delays and their causes. The key change is establishing a strict timeline for death certification to prevent unnecessary delays in honoring veterans' final arrangements.

Maddy summaryThe UNLOCK AUKUS Act modifies existing export control rules to allow the transfer of specific defense articles and services under the AUKUS partnership. By amending the Arms Export Control Act, the bill removes certain restrictions that previously limited what can be shared between partner nations. This change directly affects the U.S. government's ability to share advanced military technology with allies in the AUKUS alliance. The legislation aims to facilitate collaboration without altering the core legal framework governing defense exports.