Rep. Michael Cloud

Maddy summaryThe Cost Estimates Improvement Act requires the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation to include public debt servicing costs in their financial estimates, to the extent practicable. This change directly affects federal budgeting processes by ensuring that the interest payments on national debt are factored into official cost projections for new legislation. The bill amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to mandate this specific inclusion in all future estimates prepared by these two bodies.

Maddy summaryThe HOMEFRONT Act of 2026 prohibits U.S. courts from recognizing or enforcing foreign judgments based on censorship laws if the underlying conduct would be protected by the First Amendment in the United States. The bill places the burden of proof on the party seeking enforcement to demonstrate that the foreign court's jurisdiction and the specific judgment comply with U.S. constitutional standards and Section 230 of the Communications Act. It also bars federal, state, and local government officials from assisting foreign governments in enforcing such laws against U.S. persons and prevents the extradition of individuals for speech protected domestically. Additionally, the legislation grants affected individuals a private right of action to seek damages and requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports on foreign censorship impacts while directing the Federal Trade Commission to maintain a database of targeted speech instances.

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 bill would prohibit any state or local government designated as a "sanctuary jurisdiction" from receiving grant funds distributed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A jurisdiction is defined as a sanctuary if it has laws, policies, or practices that restrict officials from sharing information about an individual's immigration status or from complying with federal requests to detain or notify about the release of individuals. The funding restriction would apply to grants distributed 180 days after the bill's enactment. To determine which jurisdictions qualify for this ineligibility, the HUD Secretary is required to consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Maddy summaryThe SHIELD Act would prohibit local school districts that receive federal education funds from allowing organizations that provide abortions to distribute information about those services to students on school grounds or through the district's virtual platforms. This ban specifically covers sharing or reposting such materials on social media on behalf of outside abortion providers. The bill defines "abortion-related service" as any medical, surgical, or support care directly related to terminating a pregnancy.

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 summaryThe Depot Data Transparency Act requires the Department of Defense to include specific financial details in its annual report on depot maintenance. This change mandates that the report list the dollar amounts of both spent and planned funds, broken down by individual covered depots. Previously, the report only showed aggregate percentages for defense agencies without specifying how much money each facility received or projected to receive. By adding these granular figures, the bill aims to provide clearer visibility into how maintenance funding is distributed across the public and private sectors.

Maddy summaryThe DEPOTS Act allows the Secretary of Defense to write off certain internal accounting charges, such as remaining depreciation or internal debt, for military depots and arsenals that no longer generate revenue due to government-mandated mission changes. This provision ensures that any previous cash spent from revolving funds is recovered while explicitly excluding payments owed to commercial contractors from these write-offs. Additionally, the authority to make these financial adjustments can be delegated by the Secretary of Defense to the heads of individual military departments.

Maddy summaryHR 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, restricts Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing certain investments like stocks in publicly traded companies. It requires 7-14 days' advance public notice before selling any such investment, including the sale date, description, and number of shares. Exceptions apply for work-related transactions (e.g., employer compensation) and reinvesting dividends. Violations trigger a fee of $2,000 or 10% of the investment’s value (whichever is greater), plus any net gain, paid from personal funds - not congressional allowances or campaign donations. The bill aims to prevent conflicts of interest by increasing transparency around congressional financial dealings.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating February as Serbian American Heritage Month to honor the history and contributions of the Serbian American community. It recognizes that approximately one million Americans of Serbian ancestry have served in various fields, including the military, science, business, and the arts, while highlighting specific historical events like Operation Halyard. The measure urges the public to observe this month with ceremonies and educational programs that celebrate Serbian heritage and the enduring friendship between the United States and Serbia.