Rep. James R. Baird

Maddy summaryThe Data Science and Literacy Act of 2026 establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Education to support state agencies, local school districts, tribal schools, and higher education institutions in expanding data literacy and statistics education from pre-kindergarten through postsecondary levels. Eligible recipients must use funds for activities such as developing new curricula, providing professional development for teachers, and creating partnerships with industry or community organizations to reduce access gaps for underrepresented students. The bill authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, requiring grantees to submit biannual reports on student outcomes disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and income status. Additionally, the legislation amends existing federal law to require the collection of demographic and background data on secondary school STEM teachers in each state every five years.

Maddy summaryH.Res. 1497 is a House resolution that commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, in which 13 U.S. servicemembers were killed during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The bill lists the names of the fallen soldiers and formally condemns the Biden-Harris administration for what it describes as dereliction of duty and the forfeiture of military property to the Taliban. It asserts that the withdrawal was a disastrous failure that ignored security warnings and left Americans at risk, while also criticizing the lack of accountability from officials involved in the decision-making process.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan and honors veterans who served during the Gulf War era. It recognizes the approximately 8.4 million living veterans from this period, which includes service in operations such as Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. The bill also acknowledges the sacrifices of armed forces members and allies, including those killed during the Afghanistan evacuation.

National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act. [ sic ] This bill temporarily directs the Department of the Interior to award a grant to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with operating and enhancing the community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum.

Maddy summaryThe Right to Worship Act makes it unlawful for individuals to knowingly disrupt religious services or prevent people from entering houses of worship within 100 feet of an entryway during the hour before and after a scheduled service. The bill applies to conduct that meaningfully interferes with a service's normal operation or unreasonably hinders participation, while explicitly allowing free speech as long as it adheres to these specific time, place, and manner restrictions. Violators face escalating civil fines ranging from $2,500 for a first offense to $10,000 for subsequent offenses, assessed by the Attorney General. Additionally, the act permits aggrieved individuals, the U.S. Attorney General, or state attorneys general to file civil lawsuits seeking injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorney fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Permanent CBDC Ban Act, aims to permanently prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency. It achieves this by amending the Federal Reserve Act to remove the specific legal authority that allows the Reserve to create such a digital currency. The legislation directly affects the Federal Reserve by stripping away its power to launch a digital version of the dollar. By deleting the relevant subsection of the law, the bill ensures that the Reserve cannot issue a CBDC in the future.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Charleston, South Carolina, should proceed with hosting the 2027 annual meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly. The bill cites Charleston's existing facilities as suitable for the event and notes that hosting the convention in South Carolina honors the legacy of late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham. It also highlights that the United States has not hosted this specific assembly since 2005. The measure does not change any laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal statement of support for the planned event.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an INDYCAR race scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., in August 2026. The bill highlights the event's significance as the first motor race held near the National Mall, where drivers will navigate a course around iconic national monuments to celebrate America's 250th birthday. It recognizes the long history of American INDYCAR racing and its role in fostering national pride and entertainment. The text serves as a formal acknowledgment of the event rather than enacting new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThe Lawful Hemp Protection Act establishes a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoid products to ensure safety, quality, and consumer protection. It defines specific hemp products, prohibits the sale of items containing artificially modified cannabinoids like HHC or THCP, and mandates strict labeling requirements including THC milligram counts and health warnings. The bill creates a new tax on these products, requires manufacturers and wholesalers to obtain federal permits, and enforces a three-tiered distribution system for hemp beverages to prevent market consolidation. Additionally, it allows Medicare Advantage plans to cover these products for chronically ill patients and directs funds toward impaired driving enforcement and consumer safety oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the STOP Nitazenes Act, directs the federal government to permanently classify nitazenes and related synthetic opioids as Schedule I controlled substances, placing them in the same legal category as heroin and fentanyl. The legislation specifically targets a broad range of chemical compounds, including etonitazene and other variants, by defining them as 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids and requiring the Attorney General to publish a list of qualifying substances. Under the bill, any nitazene substance temporarily scheduled under emergency provisions would be made permanently scheduled upon enactment, ensuring long-term federal control. The law also mandates that the Attorney General issue implementing rules within one year, allowing for immediate interim enforcement while providing opportunities for public comment before final regulations are established.