Rep. Stephen F. Lynch

Maddy summaryThe FAST Repairs for Wheelchairs Act prohibits Medicare Advantage plans from requiring prior authorization, prescriptions, or medical documentation for repairs to complex rehabilitation wheelchairs and their accessories. This change directly affects individuals who use these devices, allowing them to get necessary maintenance without waiting for plan approval. However, the law still permits plans to review the initial medical necessity of the equipment or approve replacements when the device is lost, damaged, or has been used for five years. By removing these specific barriers for repairs, the bill aims to ensure faster access to essential maintenance services for wheelchair users.

Maddy summaryThe No 9/11 Family Left Behind Act of 2026 provides an additional lump-sum payment to certain eligible families of victims of state-sponsored terrorism. This extra payment equals 5.8573 percent of the original judgment amount awarded to those who have not yet received a prior payment under the existing law. The bill requires the Special Master to notify eligible claimants within 90 days of the act's enactment and to process their claims for this additional amount within 90 days of receiving the necessary information. Funding for these payments will come from any unappropriated funds in the U.S. Treasury.

Maddy summaryThe PRIDE Act of 2026 expands the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion to include LGBTQI+ individuals and businesses. It amends existing financial and housing laws to require the office to consider gender identity and sexual orientation when enforcing regulations and supporting small businesses. The bill formally defines LGBTQI+ as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex and sets a standard where more than 50 percent of a business's ownership and profits must accrue to LGBTQI+ individuals to qualify as LGBTQI+-owned. This change directly affects the Department of the Treasury's oversight of financial institutions and the Small Business Administration's lending programs. By updating the legal definitions within the Dodd-Frank Act and related housing legislation, the bill ensures that federal support and compliance measures explicitly cover the LGBTQI+ community.

Maddy summaryThe Postsecondary Student Success Act of 2026 creates a competitive grant program to help colleges improve graduation rates for high-need students, including those from low-income backgrounds, first-generation families, and military-connected individuals. To receive funding between 2027 and 2032, eligible institutions must submit plans detailing how they will use evidence-based strategies, such as better advising, accelerated learning options, and improved transfer pathways, to support student retention and completion. The law requires that at least 20 percent of the available funds go to projects using the most rigorously tested methods and mandates that 2 percent be reserved specifically for Tribal Colleges and Universities. Additionally, the Department of Education must evaluate the effectiveness of these programs and report the results to Congress within 18 months of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to the Social Security system that would affect workers, retirees, and survivors. Starting in 2028, it requires individuals to pay Social Security taxes on a decreasing percentage of their earnings above the annual cap, eventually eliminating the tax on excess income by 2032. The legislation also adjusts how benefits are calculated by increasing the portion of high earnings that count toward future payments and creating a new index to track inflation specifically for elderly consumers. Additionally, it modifies benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households and ensures that Supplemental Security Income recipients are not penalized by changes to their Social Security benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, requires employers to begin negotiating a first contract with a newly certified union within 10 days of written request. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, the parties must seek mediation, and if unresolved after 30 days of mediation, the dispute moves to binding arbitration by a three-member panel. The arbitration decision, based on factors like employer finances, industry standards, and cost of living, becomes binding for two years. This bill directly affects newly certified unions and their employers during initial contract negotiations, aiming to reduce delays that currently average 465 days.

Maddy summaryThe No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026 prohibits the use of specific chemicals, including PFAS, certain phthalates, and bisphenols, in materials that come into contact with food. This law directly affects manufacturers and distributors of food packaging by requiring the FDA to consider potential health risks to vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women, when evaluating alternative substances. While the federal restrictions do not take effect for two years after enactment, the bill explicitly preserves the right of states and local governments to pass stricter regulations on food additives.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month. The bill calls on the public to wear orange on the designated day to honor victims and promote awareness of gun safety. It highlights statistics on gun-related deaths and injuries to underscore the need for community discussions on making neighborhoods safer.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act of 2026, allows public housing utility allowances to cover high-speed internet service, equipment, and installation fees for families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches. The legislation sets the covered internet cost at the lowest monthly rate available in the area while explicitly permitting families to choose more expensive plans or bundled services if they prefer. Additionally, the bill requires internet service providers to offer a specific filtering technology that blocks visual content harmful to minors, ensuring a level of protection comparable to existing certified standards. These changes directly affect households living in public housing by expanding the types of living expenses that can be subsidized through their utility benefits.

Maddy summaryH.Con.Res. 107 is a non-binding resolution that formally recognizes the importance of reducing gun violence and strengthening public safety as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies, but instead expresses Congress's commitment to these goals and honors the lives lost to gun violence. It acknowledges the efforts of community leaders, law enforcement, and advocates while calling for continued support of victim services and data collection initiatives.