Rep. John B. Larson

Maddy summaryThe Workforce of the Future Act of 2025 requires federal agencies to produce reports analyzing artificial intelligence's impact on the workforce, including data on affected industries, demographic impacts, and necessary skills. It authorizes $160 million in Department of Education grants to expand emerging and advanced technology education in schools, with a focus on underserved communities and students from low-income backgrounds. The bill also allocates $90 million in Department of Labor grants to support workforce training for workers most affected by AI, particularly those in high-impact industries. Both programs require detailed reporting on demographic data and will be evaluated for effectiveness. The legislation aims to prepare workers and students for an AI-driven economy through education, training, and equitable access to technology skills.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students. Starting July 1, 2026, it sets a $50,000 annual limit and a $200,000 total aggregate limit (beyond undergraduate borrowing) for unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans. These changes directly affect graduate and professional students pursuing advanced degrees who rely on federal loans for education costs. The provisions aim to provide higher borrowing capacity for these students' educational expenses under the Higher Education Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a one-time $200 monthly payment to eligible Social Security, SSI, railroad retirement, and veterans disability/pension beneficiaries during January-June 2026. It directly affects individuals receiving these specific benefits who reside in U.S. states, territories, or the District of Columbia, with payments delivered through existing benefit channels. Key provisions include treating these payments as non-income for tax and program eligibility purposes, prohibiting double payments for multiple benefits, and ensuring payments cannot be offset or assigned. The payments expire by July 2026, and the bill includes specific administrative funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryHR 6441, the Puerto Rico Postal Equity Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to improve address recognition and delivery accuracy for Puerto Rico within 180 days of enactment. It mandates updating USPS systems to properly handle Spanish diacritical marks (like accents in names and place names), using existing USPS data to identify persistent delivery issues, and consulting with Puerto Rico's government and the Census Bureau. The bill directly affects Puerto Rico residents and businesses by reducing mail delivery errors caused by inconsistent address formatting. USPS must report annual progress on these improvements for three years, using existing funding without new appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates several tax credits to increase housing affordability for individuals and families. It establishes a first-time homebuyer credit of up to $25,000 (or $50,000 for first-generation homebuyers) for purchasing a principal residence, with income limits based on household size. It also creates a starter home construction credit for building homes under 1,200 square feet priced below 80% of local median home prices, and a renter tax credit for tenants paying more than 30% of their income in rent. Additionally, it provides a credit for converting non-residential buildings to affordable housing that meets specific income and rent restrictions. The bill includes provisions for inflation adjustments and reporting requirements for these tax credits.

Maddy summaryHR 5541, the Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act, expands eligibility for the program to include fifth graders (ages 10-11) and home-schooled learners in that age range, replacing the previous requirement for 10-year-olds. The bill authorizes $25 million annually for the National Park Service to support program operations, promote the initiative to schools and families, provide transportation assistance to financially needy schools and organizations, and conduct targeted outreach to underserved communities and children with disabilities. This reauthorization directly affects fifth-grade students and home-schooled learners aged 10-11, as well as schools and youth organizations participating in the program. The key change is broadening the age group served while maintaining the program's funding structure for operational support and equitable access.

Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority with respect to research on rare pediatric diseases, including by permitting the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to satisfy pediatric study requirements and by reauthorizing programs that support pediatric research.  Specifically, the bill modifies requirements relating to molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations to permit research on new drugs in combination with active ingredients that have already been approved, provided certain conditions are met; permits the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to comply with pediatric study requirements, if such sponsors demonstrated a lack of due diligence in satisfying the requirement; renews the FDA’s authority to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of new products intended to treat rare pediatric diseases through September 30, 2029; and reauthorizes through FY2027 certain funding for the National Institutes of Health to support priority pediatric research.  The bill also provides statutory authority for the FDA’s interpretation of the orphan drug exclusivity period. The bill specifies, consistent with FDA regulations, that the seven-year market exclusivity period for drugs for rare diseases or conditions (i.e., orphan drugs) prohibits the approval of the same drug for the same approved use or indication with respect to the disease or condition. (In Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra , a court rejected the FDA’s interpretation and held that orphan drug exclusivity extends to all uses or indications for the disease or condition.)

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new loan forgiveness program for public service workers with federal student loans taken out after its enactment. It provides 15% forgiveness after 24 months of qualifying public service employment, with additional 15% increments at 48, 72, and 96 months, totaling 100% forgiveness after 120 months (10 years) of service. Only borrowers with new federal Direct Loans made after the bill passes qualify, and the bill simplifies employment certification through self-certification forms or automatic verification. Interest accrued during the application process is also canceled.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare's drug price negotiation program to cover 50 drugs (up from 20) and requires health insurers to apply negotiated prices to cost-sharing for beneficiaries. It establishes annual out-of-pocket cost-sharing limits for prescription drugs under group health plans and insurance coverage, with specific limits of $2,000 for self-only coverage in 2027 that will increase annually. The bill also sets specific cost-sharing limits for insulin products, requiring coverage with no deductible and cost-sharing of no more than $35 per 30-day supply or 25% of the negotiated price. These provisions affect Medicare beneficiaries, people with group health plans, and health insurers across the country. The bill applies to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHR 6181, the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act, prohibits child welfare agencies receiving federal funds from discriminating against children, youth, or prospective foster/adoptive parents based on religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), or marital status. It directly affects LGBTQ youth in foster care - overrepresented at 30% of the system - who face higher risks of trauma, group home placements, and suicide attempts compared to non-LGBTQ peers. Key provisions require agencies to collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity, establish a National Resource Center for LGBTQ youth support, provide cultural competency training, and eliminate discriminatory practices. The law aims to improve safety, permanency, and placement stability by expanding access to family-based care and ensuring equitable services for all children in the system.