Rep. Jefferson Van Drew

Maddy summaryThe Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 modernizes the H-2A visa program by transferring administrative authority to the Department of Homeland Security and introducing a unified online platform to streamline applications for employers and workers. Key provisions include establishing new housing standards with mandatory inspections, creating a system for staggered worker entry and exit, and allowing workers to transfer between employers without losing their status. The bill also defines specific job classifications for wage calculations, expands the scope of covered agricultural activities, and provides legal protections for employers who document the employment of workers seeking visa status. Additionally, it requires agencies to develop a heat illness prevention plan and allows for contract termination due to natural disasters.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the four crew members of the Artemis II mission to recognize their historic achievement in advancing human space exploration. The legislation directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the medals, which will feature the faces of the astronauts and be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury. In addition to the gold medals, the bill permits the minting and sale of duplicate bronze versions to help cover production costs, with any proceeds returned to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.

Maddy summaryThe Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 strengthens the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure individuals with long-term service and support needs have a federally protected right to live in their communities rather than institutions. It requires states and insurance providers to offer community-based services that allow people to maintain independence, control their own care, and access affordable, integrated housing. The bill mandates that public entities and insurers create enforceable transition plans to move people out of institutions, conduct self-evaluations to identify barriers, and establish clear grievance procedures for resolving complaints. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Justice, which can investigate violations, while individuals may also file civil lawsuits to seek damages or court orders preventing institutionalization.

Maddy summaryThe No 9/11 Family Left Behind Act of 2026 provides an additional lump-sum payment to certain eligible families of victims of state-sponsored terrorism. This extra payment equals 5.8573 percent of the original judgment amount awarded to those who have not yet received a prior payment under the existing law. The bill requires the Special Master to notify eligible claimants within 90 days of the act's enactment and to process their claims for this additional amount within 90 days of receiving the necessary information. Funding for these payments will come from any unappropriated funds in the U.S. Treasury.

Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act This bill repeals the Corporate Transparency Act. The act requires existing companies and newly created companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for purposes of addressing the financing of terrorism and money laundering.

Maddy summaryThe Timeshare Transparency Act requires timeshare companies to provide buyers with a single document detailing all acquisition and maintenance costs, potential fee changes, exit options, and a 14-day penalty-free cancellation period. Before signing an agreement, consumers must have a chance to review these documents independently, away from company employees. The Federal Trade Commission is authorized to enforce these requirements and issue necessary rules, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices. This law applies to agreements made after a 90-day waiting period and does not prevent states from enforcing stricter consumer protections.

Maddy summaryHR 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, requires employers to begin negotiating a first contract with a newly certified union within 10 days of written request. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, the parties must seek mediation, and if unresolved after 30 days of mediation, the dispute moves to binding arbitration by a three-member panel. The arbitration decision, based on factors like employer finances, industry standards, and cost of living, becomes binding for two years. This bill directly affects newly certified unions and their employers during initial contract negotiations, aiming to reduce delays that currently average 465 days.

Maddy summaryHR 5929 designates Defense Department projects under Presidential Determination 2022-11 as "covered projects" for streamlined federal permitting. These projects focus on developing domestic sources of critical minerals through feasibility studies, modernizing processing facilities, and recovering by-products from existing operations. The bill automatically exempts these projects from standard permitting requirements and includes them in the federal Permitting Dashboard. It directly affects Defense Department initiatives aimed at strengthening U.S. supply chains for minerals essential to defense and clean energy technologies.

Maddy summaryThe Military Pension Protection Act changes federal tax rules to exclude military pensions from taxable income. This provision directly benefits active duty service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries by ensuring these payments are not counted as gross income for tax purposes. The bill achieves this by adding a new section to the Internal Revenue Code that specifically exempts government pensions earned through military service. These tax benefits will apply to any taxable year starting after the law is enacted.