Maddy summaryThe Background Check Expansion Act requires most private firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals to go through a licensed dealer, who must conduct a background check as if the dealer were selling the firearm. Exceptions include transfers between close family members (like parents and children), law enforcement, temporary safety-related transfers (e.g., preventing domestic violence), and transfers for hunting or target shooting with specific safeguards. Licensed dealers must provide a notice about the background check requirement and have the buyer sign a certification form. The bill does not create a national gun registry and preserves states' authority to enact stricter firearm laws. It takes effect 180 days after enactment.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3209, the NOPAIN for Veterans Act, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include non-opioid pain medications in its national formulary for veterans. The bill defines "non-opioid pain management drugs" as FDA-approved treatments for acute pain that don't use opioid receptors. The VA must add these drugs within one year of FDA approval or eligibility for payment under federal health programs, whichever comes first. This policy change directly affects veterans receiving VA pain management care by expanding access to non-opioid options, while prohibiting use of the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund to implement this provision.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to create an exception preventing lawsuits against the President (or someone who becomes President while a case is pending) for any tort claim, regardless of when the incident occurred. It directly affects the President and future presidential candidates who might face civil lawsuits during their presidency. The key provision adds a new exception to federal law, blocking all such claims from proceeding in court. This is a procedural change to existing tort law, not a new policy affecting the general public. The bill would apply to any pending or future lawsuits against the President.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3195) repeals a specific section (Section 213) from the 2026 appropriations law and restores an older provision (Section 10 of the 2005 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act) as if the repealed section had never existed. It directly affects how legislative branch funding is administered, correcting a technical error in the appropriations process. The bill makes no new policy changes but restores the original funding mechanism that was inadvertently altered by the 2026 law. It is purely procedural, with no direct impact on public programs or citizens' daily lives.
Maddy summaryThe Algorithm Accountability Act (S 3193) amends Section 230 of the Communications Act to require major social media platforms (with over 1 million users) to exercise "reasonable care" in designing algorithms that suggest content, aiming to prevent foreseeable bodily injury or death linked to those algorithms. It removes liability protection for platforms that fail this duty, allowing victims or their representatives to sue for damages in federal court. Exceptions include chronological content sorting and initial search results, but not algorithms used after a user navigates beyond those results. The bill does not affect small platforms (under 1 million users), email services, direct messaging apps, or non-algorithmic services like review sites or streaming platforms.
Maddy summaryThis bill gives Congress the power to end military deployments for domestic law enforcement by requiring a specific joint resolution of disapproval with precise details about location, duration, and legal authority. It amends existing law to explicitly allow Congress to terminate exceptions to the Posse Comitatus Act (which restricts military involvement in civilian policing) and National Guard activations under Section 12406. The bill includes $900 million for state/local law enforcement in fiscal year 2026 - split between community violence prevention, emergency aid, and hiring officers - to support the shift away from federal military involvement. It directly affects federal military operations, state/local governments, and Congress's ability to override executive decisions on troop deployments.
Maddy summaryS 3143 (HOPE Act) allows the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to temporarily permit certain veterans outside the United States to enter for medical care. It specifically targets veterans who were ordered removed or voluntarily departed the U.S. and need healthcare covered under the VA's Chapter 17 (38 U.S.C. § 1701-1730). The Secretary may grant case-by-case, temporary entry under specific conditions - requiring the veteran to be a qualified veteran seeking VA care and not subject to certain criminal exclusions (e.g., violent crimes with 5+ years imprisonment). Parole does not count as immigration admission, and veterans must return after receiving care. This bill directly affects eligible veterans outside the U.S. seeking VA healthcare access.
Maddy summaryThis bill ensures uninterrupted funding for Head Start programs in fiscal year 2026 by appropriating necessary funds from the Treasury if regular or continuing appropriations for that year are not enacted by September 30, 2026. It directly affects Head Start programs and the children and families they serve by preventing service disruptions during funding gaps. The key mechanism requires funding to continue under the same conditions as fiscal year 2025 (as established by the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025) until either regular appropriations are passed, a specific appropriations resolution is enacted, or September 30, 2026. The bill does not create new funding but maintains current levels to avoid program interruptions.
Maddy summaryS 3142 (I-VETS Act) requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to automatically identify immigrants who served in the U.S. Armed Forces (active duty or active reserve status) when they apply for immigration benefits or face enforcement proceedings. It mandates DHS to annotate immigration records to reflect military service and track outcomes for these individuals. The bill explicitly prohibits using this military service information for immigration removal proceedings. This directly affects immigrant veterans and applicants seeking benefits, creating a system to recognize their service within immigration processing.
Maddy summaryS 3144, the Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2025, creates a program to help noncitizen veterans who were removed from the U.S. or face removal proceedings return as permanent residents. It requires the government to reopen removal cases for eligible veterans (noncitizens who served honorably and weren’t removed for certain serious crimes) and adjust their status to permanent residency within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. The bill also prohibits removing noncitizen veterans for any reason except a "crime of violence" and ensures they regain access to military and veterans benefits they lost due to removal. This directly affects noncitizen veterans in immigration proceedings or who were deported, providing a clear pathway to legal status and benefits.