Rep. Chellie Pingree

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution directs the President to withdraw all U.S. armed forces from hostilities in Lebanon within seven days of the bill's adoption. It uses the War Powers Resolution to mandate this withdrawal while explicitly allowing continued security cooperation with Lebanese forces and the protection of diplomatic facilities. The measure clarifies that it does not authorize the use of military force, serving as a specific instruction to end active combat operations in the region.

Maddy summaryThe People Over Poison Act amends federal pesticide law to ensure that state tort claims regarding pesticide labeling and packaging are not blocked. Specifically, it clarifies that federal regulations do not prevent individuals from suing under state laws if they believe pesticide labels or packaging are misleading or harmful. This change directly affects consumers and plaintiffs who might otherwise be barred from seeking damages in state courts due to conflicting federal interpretations. By preserving state legal avenues, the bill allows for lawsuits to proceed based on local tort laws rather than limiting them solely to federal standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.

Maddy summaryThe Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to increase financial aid for college students by raising the maximum Pell Grant amount to $15,000 by the 2031-2032 award year and ensuring the program is fully funded through mandatory spending rather than annual appropriations. The bill also expands eligibility for students who receive means-tested government benefits by automatically assigning them a lower financial need score, while simultaneously allowing Dreamer students - undocumented immigrants who meet specific criteria such as graduating high school or serving in the military - to qualify for federal aid. Additional provisions restore the total number of semesters a student can receive Pell Grants from 12 to 18 and adjust the rules for satisfactory academic progress to reduce penalties for students who struggle to meet grade requirements. Finally, the legislation restores Pell Grant eligibility for some students who previously received outside scholarships and sets the law's effective date for July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 strengthens the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure individuals with long-term service and support needs have a federally protected right to live in their communities rather than institutions. It requires states and insurance providers to offer community-based services that allow people to maintain independence, control their own care, and access affordable, integrated housing. The bill mandates that public entities and insurers create enforceable transition plans to move people out of institutions, conduct self-evaluations to identify barriers, and establish clear grievance procedures for resolving complaints. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Justice, which can investigate violations, while individuals may also file civil lawsuits to seek damages or court orders preventing institutionalization.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting America's Herds Act creates a grant program for cooperative extension services to help prepare for and respond to New World screwworm outbreaks in livestock. Funds awarded through this competitive process can be used to train staff, support animal inspections, educate producers, and provide direct technical assistance on prevention and treatment. The Department of Agriculture must prioritize grants for states and Tribal communities at higher risk of the pest spreading and coordinate closely with veterinary and agricultural experts. This legislation aims to strengthen the nation's ability to detect and manage this specific animal health threat through improved readiness and education.

Maddy summaryThe Protect Local Funding Act prohibits federal agencies from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a specific proposed rule regarding federal financial assistance scheduled for publication in May 2026. This legislation directly affects the Office of Management and Budget and other federal agencies by legally blocking them from acting on that particular regulation. By preventing the enforcement of this rule, the bill aims to stop a specific administrative action that could impact how federal funds are distributed. The measure does not alter existing funding programs but rather serves as a procedural barrier to a future regulatory change.

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 summaryThe Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 eliminates a federal tax credit that allowed parents to deduct contributions to scholarship granting organizations from their income. By removing these specific tax breaks, the bill prevents the use of public tax dollars to support private school vouchers and scholarship programs. This change directly affects families who currently rely on these tax incentives to fund education outside the public school system. The provisions take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to reject a specific rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the Child Care and Development Fund. By invoking a statutory process, the bill aims to prevent the rule from taking effect, which would stop the Department from implementing the proposed changes to child care funding flexibility. The measure directly impacts the administration of federal child care assistance programs and affects families and organizations relying on the CCDF. If passed, the original regulations published in May 2026 would be nullified and have no legal force.