Rep. Pete Sessions

Maddy summaryThe Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends federal education law to explicitly define the terms "sex," "female," and "male" based on biological characteristics. Specifically, it states that "sex" refers to an individual's biologically determined status as male or female, while "female" and "male" are defined by the presence of specific reproductive systems capable of producing ova or sperm, respectively. These definitions apply to all education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance starting on the date the bill becomes law. The legislation aims to clarify existing statutes by removing ambiguity around biological sex definitions in the context of Title IX protections.

Maddy summaryHR 5267, the American Franchise Act, clarifies when franchisors can be considered joint employers of franchisee employees under federal labor laws. It defines "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential employment terms like wages, benefits, hours, hiring, and discipline - requiring franchisors to actively set these terms to be deemed joint employers. The bill explicitly excludes routine brand standards, training, or minimal safety requirements from constituting such control. This directly affects franchisors and franchisees by limiting joint employer liability to cases where franchisors exert significant, ongoing influence over core employment decisions. The law applies prospectively to new cases after enactment, not past disputes.

Maddy summaryThe I-47 Future Interstate Act of 2026 designates a specific stretch of United States Route 287 as a high-priority transportation corridor. This route runs from State Highway 87 in Port Arthur, Texas, to United States Route 89 in Choteau, Montana. The bill formally assigns the number I-47 to this designated path within the national interstate highway system.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reform the Securities and Exchange Commission by requiring the agency to analyze the costs and benefits of new regulations before issuing them and to conduct regular reviews of their impact. It mandates that the SEC Chairman testify to Congress every six months on the Commission's activities and requires an independent audit of the agency's cybersecurity and information technology systems. Additionally, the legislation transfers the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to the SEC, establishes a minimum 60-day public comment period for new rules, and clarifies how penalties are calculated for multiple violations. The bill also directs the SEC to streamline its internal organization and consolidate regional offices to improve efficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit any state or local government designated as a "sanctuary jurisdiction" from receiving grant funds distributed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A jurisdiction is defined as a sanctuary if it has laws, policies, or practices that restrict officials from sharing information about an individual's immigration status or from complying with federal requests to detain or notify about the release of individuals. The funding restriction would apply to grants distributed 180 days after the bill's enactment. To determine which jurisdictions qualify for this ineligibility, the HUD Secretary is required to consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Maddy summaryThe Consumer Financial Protection Accountability and Reform Act of 2026 significantly restructures the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection by subjecting it to the regular federal appropriations process and establishing an independent Inspector General appointed by the President. The bill restricts the Bureau's supervisory authority over banks and credit unions with assets under $30 billion, allowing these institutions to elect to remain under their existing prudential regulators instead. It also introduces a safe harbor for small-dollar loans of $3,500 or less that meet specific structural requirements, shielding compliant lenders from civil money penalties and private damages. Additionally, the legislation creates federal standards for earned wage access services, requiring providers to offer a no-cost option for early wage access and prohibiting them from treating these services as credit or debt under federal law.

Maddy summaryThe Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act to explicitly include social media influencers in its regulatory scope. The bill defines a social media influencer as any individual who maintains a monetized account on a social media platform, using an existing definition from the Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022. By making this addition, the legislation requires these specific digital content creators to comply with the same registration and disclosure obligations currently applied to other foreign agents.

Maddy summaryHR 2555, the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025, protects students who join or form single-sex social organizations (like fraternities or sororities) at colleges. It prohibits colleges receiving federal funds from taking negative actions against these students or organizations solely because they limit membership to one sex - such as denying housing, financial aid, leadership roles, or recognition. The bill ensures students can join such groups without coercion and stops colleges from imposing unfair recruitment rules on single-sex organizations compared to others. It does not require colleges to recognize single-sex groups, allow organizations to set their own membership rules, or override Title IX protections.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally honors the life and legacy of the late Representative Kay Granger from Texas, recognizing her historic achievements in public service. The bill highlights her roles as the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman to represent Texas in the U.S. House, and the first Republican woman to chair the House Committee on Appropriations. It also acknowledges her contributions to national defense, including her work on the F-35 fighter jet program and the naming of a Navy ship for Fort Worth. The resolution expresses sympathy to Granger's family and directs the Clerk of the House to send an official copy of the document to her loved ones.

Maddy summaryThe American Patients First Act of 2026 establishes a new payment rate of $457 per square centimeter for skin substitute products used in Medicare between 2027 and 2030, provided these products are manufactured entirely within the United States using domestically sourced materials. To ensure compliance, the bill defines these products as those made from U.S. human tissue or synthetic materials and requires that all harvesting, processing, and manufacturing occur exclusively in the country, though the Secretary of Health and Human Services may grant temporary waivers for up to 180 days if domestic supply shortages threaten patient access. The legislation also introduces stricter oversight measures, including prepayment claim reviews, prior authorization requirements for certain providers, and limits on payment if a product was purchased for less than a specific threshold price. Additionally, the act mandates that only providers certified by specific wound care organizations can bill for these products and restricts reimbursement for wastage or repeated applications without clinical improvement. Finally, the bill requires the HHS to submit a report to Congress by 2030 analyzing the cost of producing these products and evidence of their effectiveness.