Rep. Zoe Lofgren

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new federal standards requiring oil and gas companies operating on the Outer Continental Shelf to be certified as "fit to operate" before they can obtain or maintain leases. To receive this certification, companies must demonstrate a clean safety and environmental record over the past decade, maintain an investment-grade credit rating, and prove they have sufficient funds to cover future decommissioning costs. The legislation also mandates that operators place a significant portion of estimated decommissioning costs into interest-bearing escrow accounts and limits the time a well can be temporarily abandoned to three years, with a possible one-time extension to five years. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of the Interior to conduct annual compliance checks and submit detailed reports to Congress regarding enforcement actions and escrow account balances.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to officially reject a final rule issued by the Department of Education regarding federal student loan programs. If passed, the measure would prevent the new regulations from taking effect, leaving the previous rules in place. The bill directly impacts borrowers, lenders, and the Department of Education by nullifying the specific changes outlined in the "Reimagining and Improving Student Education" proposal. It is a procedural action that uses the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the agency's policy without altering the underlying law.

Maddy summaryThe Elder Pride Act of 2026 creates a new grant program under the Older Americans Act to support rural outreach initiatives for older individuals, including those from LGBTQI communities and other protected groups. Authorized funding of $5 million per year for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 will be distributed to states, tribal organizations, and nonprofit agencies that submit applications demonstrating a plan to partner with local communities. Recipients must use these funds to provide sexual health services, reduce social isolation, improve cultural competency among service providers, and expand nondiscrimination policies in areas not designated as urbanized. The bill requires that any federal money received supplement, rather than replace, existing state or local funding for related services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026, aims to create more predictable payment adjustments for physicians and other healthcare providers under the Medicare program. It directly affects medical practices and providers who receive reimbursement for services through the physician fee schedule. The legislation increases a threshold for certain budget neutrality calculations from $20 million to $54.3 million in 2027, with automatic increases every five years thereafter. It also requires the government to correct payment estimates when actual service usage differs significantly from projections, mandates regular updates to cost calculations for practice expenses, and limits how much Medicare payment rates can change from year to year to a maximum of 2.5 percent.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins must feature designs honoring victims and first responders (including the inscription "Never Forget") and will be sold only during 2027-2028. All surcharges ($35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin) collected from sales will fund the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, with no net cost to the federal government. The coins are legal tender but primarily intended for collectors, not circulation.

Maddy summaryThe Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum dedicated to women’s history, to be located within the National Mall Reserve in Washington, D.C. If the site is managed by another federal agency, the bill requires that agency to transfer the land after notifying Congress and relevant committees. The museum must ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent diverse women’s experiences by consulting a broad range of experts and community voices. The Smithsonian will submit biennial reports to Congress detailing how the museum meets these representation standards.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act bans the imposition of the death penalty for any federal crime committed after the law takes effect. It also requires that individuals currently sentenced to death under federal law be resentenced to a different punishment. This legislation directly affects the federal criminal justice system by eliminating capital punishment as a sentencing option.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates federal programs to advance alternative protein production through biomanufacturing and bioprocessing. It authorizes $15 million annually for research centers focused on protein diversification, $50 million for grants to companies building food biomanufacturing facilities, and $25 million for workforce development programs. The bill also requires a national strategy on protein security coordinated across multiple federal agencies. These provisions aim to strengthen food supply chains, create jobs in the growing protein sector, and reduce reliance on foreign commodities. The bill explicitly excludes insect-based food production from its scope.

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.