Rep. Joaquin Castro

Maddy summaryThe No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026 prohibits the use of federal money to pay specific settlements involving high-ranking government officials and their close associates. It bars payments to the President, Vice President, their immediate families, cabinet members, senior executive staff, political appointees, and individuals connected to these roles, as well as any entity owned by the President or Vice President. Additionally, the bill restricts settlements related to claims about the January 6 Capitol attack, foreign election interference, or previously dismissed lawsuits, while requiring Treasury reports for large settlements and allowing the government to seek repayment if rules are broken.

Dental Care for Veterans Act This bill expands eligibility for veterans for dental care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill makes all veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system eligible for VA-provided dental services. Currently, only veterans who have a service-connected dental issue or meet other narrow criteria are eligible for certain dental services. The bill phases in eligibility over four years based upon existing eligibility, degree of service-connected disability or other disability, prisoner of war status, award of a Purple Heart, financial need, or VA health care eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution condemns the ongoing civil war in Sudan and calls for an end to external support provided to the warring parties, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. It urges the Trump Administration to stop supplying weapons or other assistance to these groups and to negotiate a peaceful settlement that restores democratic governance. The bill also highlights the severe humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people and demands that aid workers be granted safe, unrestricted access to deliver essential supplies. Additionally, it calls on the international community to support post-conflict reconstruction and establish a justice mechanism to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable.

Maddy summaryThe YALI Act of 2025 establishes the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) to support emerging leaders in sub-Saharan Africa aged 18-35, focusing on business, civic engagement, and public administration. It creates at least four regional leadership centers in Africa for training, expands the Mandela Washington Fellowship (for 25-35-year-olds with demonstrated leadership), and requires annual reports on program outcomes. The bill mandates partnerships with private sector entities to fund networking, entrepreneurship, and leadership development, while requiring the State Department to submit implementation plans within 180 days of enactment. The program expires five years after enactment, with reports assessing its impact on U.S.-Africa relations, including trade, governance, and youth empowerment.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to ban Members, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives from trading in prediction markets that bet on specific events or contingencies. The rule would prohibit these individuals from entering into contracts or agreements involving excluded commodities, though it explicitly allows for standard insurance policies and legal sports betting. Additionally, the resolution expresses the House's preference that the executive and judicial branches adopt similar restrictions to prevent conflicts of interest.

Maddy summaryThe No WAR Act prohibits Congress from using budget reconciliation procedures to fund military hostilities against Iran unless such actions are explicitly authorized by a formal declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force. This legislation directly affects the legislative process by establishing a point of order that blocks any reconciliation bill attempting to provide budget authority for offensive military operations, strikes, or covert actions targeting Iranian military forces, territory, or government institutions. The bill also defines proxy forces as any foreign military or irregular groups operating with U.S. direction or material support, ensuring these entities are included in the restrictions on unauthorized funding. By amending the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, the measure aims to prevent the use of budgetary shortcuts to bypass the constitutional requirement for congressional approval before engaging in armed conflict with Iran.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act, aims to cancel specific regulations issued by the Department of State. It directly affects the federal government by prohibiting any department or agency from enforcing, implementing, or proposing rules related to protecting life, combating discriminatory equity ideology, and combating gender ideology in foreign aid programs. The legislation treats these cancelled rules as if they never existed, effectively nullifying their impact on future foreign assistance policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using federal funds to create or expand new immigration detention facilities, including warehouses, tents, and modular structures. It directly affects immigration enforcement agencies by banning the construction, renovation, or operation of non-traditional detention centers and preventing the transfer of funds to such projects. The legislation requires any money previously allocated for these facilities to be redirected toward affordable healthcare and housing services instead. Effective immediately upon enactment, the ban applies to all existing federal funds and prevents the use of current budgets for establishing or operating alternative detention models.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) crucial role in global nuclear security and safety. It encourages the United States and other IAEA member states to ensure the Agency has reliable and sufficient resources, including financial contributions to its Nuclear Security Fund, to successfully carry out its duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time limit for prosecuting export control violations from the current period to ten years. It directly affects individuals and companies that may have committed violations under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. The key provision establishes a ten-year window from the date of the violation during which the government can file charges or initiate legal proceedings. This change applies to both civil penalties and criminal prosecutions related to export control breaches.