Rep. Randy Feenstra

Maddy summaryThis House resolution designates September 17, 2026, as National Teach Ag Day to highlight the contributions of agricultural educators and the National FFA Organization. It formally recognizes the role these groups play in preparing students for leadership and career success in the agriculture sector. The bill also acknowledges the work of over 11,000 educators across the United States and its territories who teach about food and natural resources.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution supports designating the week of September 21, 2026, as the Ray Gaesser Memorial Farm Safety Week to honor the memory of an Iowa farmer who died in a work accident. The bill recognizes Gaesser's leadership roles in soybean associations and highlights the significant physical risks associated with agricultural labor. It cites statistics indicating that agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries for workers, with thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths occurring annually. By promoting this designation, the House aims to raise awareness about farm safety education and accident prevention measures.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution supports designating the week of September 20 through September 26, 2026, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week." It aims to honor the families of service members and veterans who have died in the line of duty. The bill encourages Americans to observe this annual week by performing acts of community service and celebrating the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Maddy summaryThe Empowering Moms Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update the government website moms.gov within one year to serve as a centralized directory for resources aimed at pregnant, postpartum, and parenting women. The bill authorizes grants for states to help aggregate local resources, which users can filter by ZIP code and distance, while also allowing the federal government to contact users via phone or email if they consent to follow-up outreach. A key provision excludes organizations that provide abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions, from being listed on the website or receiving state grants. The act mandates that the website be accessible in multiple languages and requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress within 180 days detailing user traffic, feedback, and resource gaps.

Maddy summaryThe Packaging and Claims Knowledge Act of 2025 requires companies to ensure that recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims on consumer product packaging are accurate and supported by third-party certification. The bill mandates that recyclable claims must include information about local recycling availability, while compostable claims must be backed by scientific evidence and clearly explain disposal limitations. Companies must also provide actual reuse systems or products for reusable packaging claims, and the Federal Trade Commission will issue guidance on compliance without creating binding regulations.

Maddy summaryThe Apples to Apples Comparison Act of 2025 requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to publish detailed Medicare spending data starting in 2025. It mandates that CMS release machine-readable, county- and Metropolitan Statistical Area-level expenditure information for over 30 distinct beneficiary categories (e.g., Part A-only enrollees, Medicare Advantage members, and those with supplemental coverage) on its public website. The law also requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to analyze Medicare Advantage vs. traditional Medicare spending patterns beginning in 2026, with public methodology and data transparency. Additionally, the Medicare Trustees must include disaggregated expenditure data in their annual reports starting in 2026. This bill directly affects how CMS and federal agencies collect and share Medicare spending data, not beneficiaries' coverage or costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new passenger vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. to include AM radio as standard equipment (not an optional add-on) by 2027-2028, depending on manufacturer size. It mandates that AM radio receivers must be easily accessible to drivers and allows compliance through digital AM broadcast technology. During a transition period, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio but cannot charge extra for this feature. The bill also mandates a GAO study on AM radio's role in emergency alerts and includes a 10-year sunset provision for the rule. It preempts state laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

Maddy summaryHR 4707 designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa, as the "Martin L. Graber Post Office." The bill updates all official federal references - such as in laws, maps, and documents - to use this new name for the facility. It does not change operations, funding, or services at the post office. This is a naming resolution with no substantive policy impact, solely commemorating Martin L. Graber.

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 summaryHR 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, restricts Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing certain investments like stocks in publicly traded companies. It requires 7-14 days' advance public notice before selling any such investment, including the sale date, description, and number of shares. Exceptions apply for work-related transactions (e.g., employer compensation) and reinvesting dividends. Violations trigger a fee of $2,000 or 10% of the investment’s value (whichever is greater), plus any net gain, paid from personal funds - not congressional allowances or campaign donations. The bill aims to prevent conflicts of interest by increasing transparency around congressional financial dealings.