Rep. Josh Harder

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the FBI, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Federal Trade Commission to coordinate a government-wide strategy against scams. Within one year, they must establish a single definition of "scam," collect consistent data on scam types and losses, and report annual complaint numbers and dollar losses. By two years, they must produce a unified estimate of annual scam victims and total losses, including unreported cases. The agencies must also set metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of their anti-scam training programs and publicly share annual scam data. The bill directly affects federal agencies managing scam data, not the public.

Maddy summaryThe Veteran Suicide Prevention Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a comprehensive review of all veterans who died by suicide during the five years before the bill's enactment. The review must analyze demographics, medication history (including black box warnings and psychotropic drugs), prescribing patterns, combat trauma, and facility-specific suicide rates. The VA must submit a public report to Congress within 30 days of completing the review, detailing findings and recommendations to improve veteran safety. This applies to all veterans who received VA care during the relevant five-year period. The law aims to identify systemic patterns and inform future suicide prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 7173, the Follow the Science Act, restricts political appointees from influencing National Institutes of Health (NIH) operations and grant decisions. It prohibits most political appointees (defined broadly as those in policy-making roles) from being employed by NIH or participating in grant reviews, funding selections, or policy implementation. The bill requires the NIH Director to report on past political appointee involvement in these activities to Congress within 30 days of enactment. These changes aim to ensure NIH decisions are based on scientific merit rather than political influence, with limited exceptions for other federal agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new programs under the National Affordable Housing Act to increase affordable rental housing on property owned by faith-based organizations and institutions of higher education. It provides $25 million annually (2026-2031) for technical assistance to help these groups remove barriers to developing housing for low-income households, including those at risk of homelessness, veterans, and people with disabilities. Additionally, it creates $50 million annually in competitive challenge grants for local governments and states to adopt policies removing barriers and produce housing for households earning below 60% of area median income, with priority for well-resourced neighborhoods. The programs require public planning and reporting to ensure funds directly support affordable housing development on eligible properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Medicare and Medicaid regulations to clarify the conditions under which skilled nursing facilities lose approval for nurse training programs. It updates the criteria to include facilities assessed with a civil penalty of at least $12,924 for quality-of-care deficiencies or subject to specific corrective remedies. The changes refine the existing penalty thresholds and deficiency types that trigger loss of program approval. This is a technical regulatory adjustment affecting nursing facilities' compliance status under federal healthcare programs, not a new policy or funding measure.

Maddy summaryHR 7100 establishes a Department of Justice Task Force on Anti-Sikh Hate and Discrimination to address systemic bias against Sikhs. The Task Force must draft a formal definition of anti-Sikh hate for DOJ use, develop educational programs for law enforcement and schools, and produce annual reports on hate crimes and trends. It requires quarterly collaboration with Sikh organizations and translation of materials into Punjabi. The bill directly affects Sikhs in the U.S. (who face disproportionate targeting as noted in FBI data) and mandates federal agencies to improve hate crime data collection and response. This is a policy-focused measure to standardize definitions, enhance reporting, and support community safety through DOJ action.

Maddy summaryHRES 996 is a resolution introduced by multiple House members to impeach Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, for alleged violations of law and the Constitution. It outlines three articles of impeachment: obstructing congressional oversight by denying access to detention facilities and withholding funds, violating public trust through warrantless arrests and excessive force (including tear gas on children), and self-dealing by awarding federal contracts to associates without competitive bidding. If approved by the House, this resolution would formally charge Noem, triggering a Senate trial to determine her removal from office. The resolution itself does not enact new policy but initiates the constitutional impeachment process against a sitting Cabinet official.

Maddy summaryHR 6088, the *Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025*, repeals specific sections (10101-10108) from a prior reconciliation law. This action revives previous provisions related to food security programs that were modified by those repealed sections. The bill directly affects federal food assistance and agricultural support programs by restoring their prior legal framework. It does not create new policies but reverses recent changes to existing food security measures.

Maddy summaryHR 5059 creates a new grant program to boost sales of U.S.-grown specialty crops (like fruits, vegetables, and nuts) within the domestic market. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will award grants to eligible organizations - such as agricultural trade groups, cooperatives, or nonprofit associations - to fund marketing and promotion activities. Organizations must contribute at least 25% of the grant amount from non-Federal sources and cannot use funds to directly assist large for-profit corporations (except cooperatives or specific associations). The program is authorized to receive $75 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026, with strict reporting and evaluation requirements to track how funds develop domestic markets.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to boost domestic sales of U.S.-grown specialty crops (like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and nursery products). It authorizes $75 million annually to fund grants for eligible organizations - such as agricultural trade groups, cooperatives, or state agencies - that develop marketing plans for domestic promotion. Grantees must provide at least 25% non-Federal matching funds (including in-kind support) and cannot use funds to promote foreign products or most for-profit corporations. The program includes strict oversight, requiring annual reviews, spending audits, and evaluations to ensure funds effectively expand domestic markets for specialty crops.