Rep. Dan Newhouse

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 summaryThis House resolution marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by formally honoring the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims and recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders, military personnel, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The bill acknowledges the ongoing health challenges faced by survivors and responders, highlighting the role of the World Trade Center Health Program in providing long-term medical support. It also credits charitable organizations and community groups that have continued to assist victims' families and veterans over the past two decades. Finally, the resolution urges the American public to observe the anniversary with ceremonies and reaffirms Congress's commitment to remembering the events and lessons of that day.

Maddy summaryHR 1869 creates a new DOJ task force within the Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute international trade crimes, such as customs evasion, smuggling, and trade-based money laundering. It requires the DOJ to hire specialized prosecutors, coordinate with agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and focus on specific violations covered under statutes like 18 U.S.C. §§ 541-546 and 21 U.S.C. § 331. The bill authorizes $20 million in funding for fiscal year 2026 (with 80% dedicated to criminal prosecutions), mandates annual reports to Congress on enforcement activities, and requires the DOJ to develop multi-agency partnerships to address these crimes. This directly affects federal prosecutors, border enforcement agencies, and industries impacted by trade violations.

Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Home Distill Act would allow individuals to legally produce small amounts of alcohol at home for personal use without paying federal excise taxes or facing criminal penalties. To qualify, a household could distill up to 10 proof gallons per year if it has one adult, or 20 proof gallons if it has two or more adults, provided the spirits are never sold or transferred to others. The bill exempts home distillers from standard business requirements such as registering their equipment and paying taxes, but it mandates that any stills purchased for this purpose must have specific safety features like pressure release valves and a capacity of no more than 50 gallons. These changes would take effect for spirits produced after December 31, 2026.

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 summaryThe CCP Fentanyl Sanctions Act codifies existing executive sanctions and authorizes the President to impose new financial penalties on foreign persons, including Chinese government entities, ports, online marketplaces, and companies that contribute to the global spread of illicit synthetic narcotics. The bill targets specific activities such as producing or selling precursor chemicals, facilitating drug shipments, and providing material support to sanctioned government bodies, with the primary penalty being the blocking of all property and transactions within the United States. Additionally, the Treasury Department is empowered to restrict access to U.S. banking accounts for foreign financial institutions that knowingly facilitate significant transactions for these designated individuals or entities. The legislation includes provisions allowing the President to waive sanctions for up to 180 days if deemed in the national interest and requires the administration to consider information from congressional committees and international human rights monitors when making determinations.

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 summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating July 2026 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month" to highlight the domestic flower industry. It recognizes the economic value of U.S. growers who provide jobs and support local businesses while encouraging consumers to buy locally produced flowers. The bill aims to raise awareness about the availability of domestically grown floral products and urges the public to showcase these items to support American agriculture.

Maddy summaryThe Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Act of 2026 authorizes the organization Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. to build a commemorative monument on federal land in Washington, D.C., honoring the original Tuskegee Airmen who served in World War II. This legislation allows the group to accept private donations and cover all costs for the project without using federal funds, while requiring any leftover money to be deposited into specific government accounts. The bill also mandates that the memorial be constructed in compliance with existing federal standards for commemorative works.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 86-014 Farrington Highway in Wai'anae, Hawai'i, as the "U.S Representative Colleen Hanabusa Post Office Building".