Rep. John R. Carter

Maddy summaryHR 5993, the MACV-SOG Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a single gold medal to be awarded by Congress to members of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), a covert special operations unit active during the Vietnam War (1964-1972). The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to strike the medal, which will be presented by congressional leaders to honor MACV-SOG service members' "bravery and outstanding service" in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, and then donated to the Smithsonian Institution for display. The medal commemorates the unit's high-risk missions, including reconnaissance and sabotage, and acknowledges the 1,579 U.S. personnel missing or killed while serving with MACV-SOG. Bronze duplicates may be sold to cover costs, but the act has no policy implications beyond this ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryHRES 846 is a symbolic resolution designating October 2025 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It expresses the House's support for raising awareness about domestic violence and its impacts, and calls for continued congressional attention to ending domestic violence through existing programs. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect any specific groups - it is purely a statement of support. It references statistics on domestic violence prevalence but focuses on awareness rather than policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that critical firearm-related government operations continue during federal shutdowns. It designates background checks (via the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives enforcement, and firearm export licensing (handled by Commerce and State Departments) as essential services that must remain operational. These functions would be treated as "excepted" under federal law, meaning their employees would continue working even if other government services halt. The bill affects how background checks and firearm export licenses are processed during shutdowns but does not change gun ownership laws or eligibility.

Maddy summaryThe REAL Meats Act (HR 5832) requires specific labeling for lab-grown meat products and plant-based alternatives that mimic meat. It mandates that cell-cultured products (lab-grown) must include terms like "cell-cultured" or "lab-grown" before their name, and plant-based products using terms like "beef" or "chicken" must include "analogue" or "plant-based" upfront. This directly affects food manufacturers selling these products, ensuring consumers clearly see whether a product is lab-made or plant-based. The bill defines "cell-cultured" as tissue grown from animal cells in a lab and "analogue" as plant/other ingredient products mimicking meat's appearance or taste without actual meat.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require all states to recognize valid concealed carry permits issued by other states, allowing permit holders to carry concealed handguns (excluding machine guns) in any state that either issues such permits or doesn't prohibit concealed carry. It directly affects law-abiding gun owners with valid permits from their home state, ensuring they can carry in states with similar permit systems or no prohibitions. Key provisions include treating valid permit documents as proof of legal carry (reducing officer stops), shifting the burden of proof to prosecutors if challenged, and allowing civil lawsuits for violations with attorney's fee awards. The bill does not override state laws restricting firearms on private property or government land, nor does it affect federal gun restrictions like those in section 922(q).

Maddy summaryHRES 765 is a non-binding House resolution commemorating the 10th anniversary of the October 2, 2015, crash of C-130J aircraft TORQE 62 in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. It honors the 6 U.S. Air Force service members and 5 civilian contractors who died in the accident while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. The resolution extends condolences to their families and expresses gratitude for the crew’s service and sacrifice. As a commemorative resolution, it does not enact policy changes or affect any individuals or groups beyond this ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryHRES 719 is a House resolution honoring Charles "Charlie" James Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA who was assassinated on September 10, 2025. The resolution condemns his assassination and all political violence, extends condolences to his family, and calls on Americans to reject violence while promoting civil discourse. It specifically recognizes Kirk's legacy as a defender of constitutional principles and his role in inspiring youth through free speech and faith-based civic engagement. As a commemorative resolution, it does not enact policy changes but formally expresses the House's stance on honoring his life and legacy.

Maddy summaryHR 5455, the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025, ensures continued operation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during government funding gaps. If Congress fails to pass regular appropriations or a continuing resolution before the new fiscal year begins, the bill allows the FAA to use existing funds from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to maintain essential programs and airport infrastructure at the previous year’s funding level. This prevents shutdowns for FAA operations like air traffic control, airport grants, and safety programs for up to 30 days or until regular funding is enacted. The bill directly affects all FAA programs funded through the trust fund, including airport improvements and aviation safety initiatives, without creating new policies or altering funding levels.

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for activities and programs related to military construction, veterans, agriculture, and the legislative branch. Specifically, the bill includes 3 of the 12 regular FY2026 appropriations bills: the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026; the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026; and the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026. The departments, agencies, and activities funded in the bill include Department of Defense military construction and family housing activities, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, the Senate, various agencies that support Congress, and several related and independent agencies. (Pursuant to the longstanding practice of each chamber of Congress determining its own requirements, funds for the House of Representatives are not included in the Senate bill.) The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Maddy summaryHR 5401, the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026, ensures military personnel, civilian Defense workers, and supporting contractors receive pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2026. It appropriates emergency funds for active-duty service members, reserves, and their supporting personnel (including Coast Guard staff under DHS) if regular appropriations aren't enacted by the end of the fiscal year. The bill provides necessary pay and allowances during any period when full-year funding is unavailable, covering both active service and support roles. Funding expires when regular appropriations are passed, a funding resolution is enacted, or January 1, 2027, whichever comes first. This is a procedural measure to prevent pay delays for military and support staff during fiscal year 2026 funding lapses.