Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on December 1, 2026. The act requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register. The VA is authorized to make a similar adjustment to the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for service-connected disability or death.
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Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to create and regularly update a five-year strategic plan that details how the agency will staff its various offices to meet future demand for veterans' services. It mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs consult with veterans service organizations while developing this plan, which must include specific goals for recruiting and retaining current and former military personnel. Additionally, the legislation establishes strict rules for workforce reductions, requiring the agency to notify Congress and affected employees 60 days in advance and providing a legal remedy if this notice is not given. The bill also strengthens oversight of office reorganizations by requiring detailed risk mitigation plans and regular reports on how well these changes improve outcomes for veterans.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide annual preventative health evaluations to veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders who choose to participate. These evaluations will assess risks for health complications, chronic pain management, dietary needs, prosthetic equipment functionality, and access to assistive technologies like powered mobility devices and neuromodulation systems. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must consult with medical specialists and technology manufacturers when developing rules for these evaluations and must report annually to Congress on how many veterans receive these services and what assistive technologies are prescribed.
Maddy summaryThe National Veterans Strategy Act of 2026 requires the President to establish measurable metrics for veteran well-being - covering health, employment, education, and social engagement - and develop a national strategy every four years to align federal, state, local, nonprofit, and private sector efforts toward improving veteran outcomes. This strategy must be developed with input from veterans, government agencies, and stakeholders like veterans' organizations and businesses, and it will guide how benefits and services are delivered to address gaps in veteran success. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress tracking progress, spending, and barriers, with a requirement for the President to update the strategy every four years based on public input and evaluation. It directly affects all veterans by creating a coordinated framework for service delivery, though specific benefits or programs are not defined by the bill itself.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Department of Veterans Affairs program to provide bowel and bladder care for veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders who require assistance to live in non-institutional settings (like at home). It allows these veterans to receive care through family caregivers, individually employed caregivers, or home health agencies, rather than only through medical facilities. The program provides monthly stipends to family and individual caregivers (capped at nursing assistant pay rates) and prevents them from being treated as vendors or contractors for tax purposes. Care is based on individual medical needs assessed by VA, with veterans deemed to require ongoing care after three years of continuous need.
Maddy summaryS 3395, the Mammography Access for Veterans Act of 2025, permanently expands telehealth mammography services for veterans by ending the previous pilot program restrictions. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide at least one mammography option - full-service, tele-screening, or mobile - in every state and Puerto Rico within two years. All programs must comply with accessibility standards for veterans with paralysis, spinal cord injuries, or other disabilities. This directly affects veterans needing breast cancer screenings, particularly those in rural areas or with mobility challenges.
Maddy summaryThe Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the federal terrorism insurance program through 2034, ensuring continued government support for insurance companies facing large losses from terrorist attacks. The bill also updates the schedule for recouping federal funds, shifting the timeline for when insurers must repay taxpayer money to later dates ranging from 2029 to 2036. These changes directly affect insurance carriers and policyholders by maintaining the program's availability for a longer period and adjusting the financial obligations tied to it.
Maddy summaryThe Parents Over Platforms Act requires app stores and developers to verify user ages and restrict access to adult-only content for minors. App stores must ask users to declare their age and allow parents to block specific applications, while developers are prohibited from showing personalized ads to minors and must prevent them from accessing age-gated features. The law grants the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce these rules and includes a preemption clause that stops states from passing their own conflicting regulations. Developers are solely responsible for identifying which of their apps require age restrictions, and the bill includes protections for companies acting in good faith when technical limitations prevent perfect age verification. These measures will take effect two years after the legislation is enacted.
America Grows Act of 2026 This bill permanently funds several agencies that perform agriculture research. The bill provides specified funding for the following agencies within the Department of Agriculture: the Agricultural Research Service, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The bill exempts the funding from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals. It also exempts the budgetary effects of the funding from the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update regulations to encourage pilots and air traffic controllers to seek and disclose mental health care without fear of losing their medical certification. It mandates an annual review of the "special issuance" process (for medical certification) to consider new treatments, improve examiner training, and reduce backlogs, while allocating $15 million annually (2026-2029) to recruit more medical examiners and provide mental health training. Additionally, it funds a $1.5 million annual public campaign to destigmatize mental health care in aviation, improve trust with workers, and make resources easily accessible at aviation medical offices and training facilities. The FAA must consult with industry stakeholders and report progress to Congress on implementation.