Rep. Sarah McBride

Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of various crimes related to postal services (for example, assault on a postal service employee, breaking into a post office, or obstruction of mails). The bill also requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide that the assault or robbery of a postal employee shall be treated the same as the assault of a law enforcement officer. Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the USPS to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with electronic versions.

Maddy summaryThe Scientific Integrity Act requires federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research to adopt policies preventing political interference in scientific work. These policies must prohibit suppressing, altering, or delaying the communication of scientific findings and ensure hiring and decisions are based on expertise - not politics. Agencies must appoint a Scientific Integrity Officer to enforce the policies, handle complaints, and submit annual reports to Congress and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The bill directly affects scientists and staff in covered agencies by safeguarding their ability to share research freely and maintain ethical standards in scientific communication.

Maddy summaryHR 1054, the Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2025, increases the annual tax deduction available to eligible K-12 teachers for out-of-pocket classroom expenses. The bill raises the deduction limit from $250 to $1,000 per year for qualifying educators, applying to taxable years beginning December 31, 2025. It amends Internal Revenue Code sections 62(a)(2)(D) and 62(d)(3) to update the deduction amount and relevant tax year references. This change directly affects elementary and secondary school teachers who itemize deductions and incur eligible classroom costs. The bill makes no other policy changes beyond modernizing the deduction amount and effective date.

Maddy summaryThe CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 creates a federal grant program to fund training programs at community colleges and career schools focused on residential construction careers. It targets rural areas and underserved populations - including veterans, low-income individuals, and groups with historically low representation in construction - to develop skills in trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC. Grants, totaling $20 million annually from 2026-2030, require flexible scheduling, partnerships with construction employers, and plans to increase affordable housing supply through workforce development. The bill directly affects community colleges in rural or underserved regions and their students seeking residential construction careers.

Maddy summaryHR 1102 establishes a commission to study the feasibility of creating a National Museum of Italian American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The commission, composed of 8 members appointed by congressional leaders, will examine factors like location options, costs, fundraising potential, and impacts on existing museums, and must report back within 18 months. It will not create the museum itself but will develop recommendations for Congress on whether to proceed, with all funding coming from private sources - no federal funds may be used for the commission’s work. The bill focuses solely on the study process, not on building or operating the museum.

Maddy summaryThe CLEAR Act extends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to certain federal entities established under Section 3161 of Title 5, United States Code, including the National Archives and Records Administration. It requires these entities to process FOIA requests for all records - regardless of when they were created - starting from the law's enactment date. This change directly affects the public, who can now access historical and current records held by these entities through FOIA. The bill does not alter existing record-keeping practices but ensures consistent access to information across these specific federal bodies.

Maddy summaryThe QUIET Act (HR 1027) requires that robocalls or text messages using artificial intelligence to mimic human communication must disclose at the beginning that AI is being used. It doubles penalties for violations involving AI impersonation intended to defraud, cause harm, or obtain value, applying to automated calls sent to stored numbers or generated randomly. The bill excludes calls requiring substantial human intervention, focusing on transparency and deterrence in AI-driven automated communications.

Maddy summaryHR 211, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, eliminates out-of-pocket costs for specific contraceptives for veterans using VA healthcare. It amends Section 1722A of Title 38 to prohibit the VA from charging veterans copayments for contraceptive items that must be covered without cost-sharing under federal law (as required by Section 2713(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act). This means veterans will not pay any amount for contraceptives covered by the federal mandate, such as birth control pills or IUDs, when obtained through the VA system. The bill directly affects veterans enrolled in VA healthcare seeking contraceptive services, ensuring no additional costs beyond what is already mandated for these items.

Maddy summaryHRES 116 is a non-binding House resolution condemning pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It expresses the House's disapproval of such pardons but does not alter any laws or affect legal proceedings. The resolution has no legal force and serves only as a formal statement of disapproval by the sponsoring lawmakers. It directly addresses the pardons of specific individuals found guilty in criminal cases related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach.

Maddy summaryHR 989 would turn Executive Order 11246 into law, requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to follow its equal employment nondiscrimination rules. This bill directly affects businesses working with the U.S. government by making these requirements legally binding. The key provision ensures the existing order has the full force of law, rather than being subject to executive changes.