Rep. Adrian Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Medicare and Medicaid regulations to clarify the conditions under which skilled nursing facilities lose approval for nurse training programs. It updates the criteria to include facilities assessed with a civil penalty of at least $12,924 for quality-of-care deficiencies or subject to specific corrective remedies. The changes refine the existing penalty thresholds and deficiency types that trigger loss of program approval. This is a technical regulatory adjustment affecting nursing facilities' compliance status under federal healthcare programs, not a new policy or funding measure.

Maddy summaryHR 7087, the "Grave Injustice Parity Act," expands tax deductions for estates and gifts transferred to qualifying non-profit cemetery entities. It allows deductions for transfers to cemetery companies owned exclusively for members or non-profit burial corporations that operate solely for burial purposes, have no private profit motive, and direct all earnings toward cemetery operations (not private shareholders). This applies to both estate tax (Section 2055) and gift tax (Sections 2522) deductions, as well as private foundation distributions (Sections 4942/4945). The bill directly affects donors and estates/gifts made to such cemetery organizations, with changes effective after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends duty-free import benefits for Haitian apparel under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act until December 31, 2028. It maintains a 60% minimum eligibility rate for apparel imports and limits duty-free treatment to 1.25% of total U.S. apparel imports. The bill also restores eligibility for certain Haitian apparel previously excluded due to tariff schedule changes and allows retroactive refunds for eligible imports made between September 30, 2025, and the bill's enactment date. These changes directly affect Haitian apparel exporters and U.S. importers of Haitian goods.

Maddy summaryHR 5038, the American Protein Processing Modernization Act, creates a formal process for meat and poultry processing plants to request operating at "alternate inspection rates" (higher than standard government-mandated rates) while meeting USDA food safety criteria. The bill requires the USDA Secretary to publish food safety criteria within 90 days and respond to facility requests within 90 days (with automatic approval if no response is given). Existing facilities already using alternate rates can continue if they maintain food safety standards or until their request is reviewed. The bill also outlines procedures for addressing noncompliance, including written notices, 180-day correction periods, and timelines for reverting to standard inspection rates if needed, while minimizing impacts on operations and animal producers.

Maddy summaryHR 909, the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025, modifies how funds from the False Claims Act are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. It specifies that from 2025 through 2029, certain False Claims Act proceeds (specifically those for qui tam plaintiff payments and government damage reimbursements) cannot be deposited into the fund. This change directly affects the composition of the Crime Victims Fund by excluding these specific revenue streams during the specified period. The bill does not create new benefits or alter victim services; it only adjusts fund allocation rules for existing False Claims Act revenues.

Maddy summaryThe PEERS Act of 2025 requires Medicare to cover peer support services provided by certified specialists at community mental health centers, rural health clinics, and other specified facilities. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with mental health or substance use disorders who receive these services, and providers like community mental health centers that will now bill Medicare for this care. The bill defines peer support services as non-clinical assistance focused on recovery, community integration, and self-empowerment, delivered by individuals certified after recovering from similar conditions. Coverage begins January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs by allowing more healthcare providers to prescribe these services. It specifically permits physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists (in addition to physicians) to prescribe rehabilitation exercises under Medicare. The bill modifies existing Medicare definitions to include these providers, removing the exclusive reference to "physicians" in program requirements. These changes apply to both cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs and take effect six months after the bill becomes law. The policy directly affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking these rehabilitation services and healthcare facilities providing them.

Maddy summaryHR 6895, the Debt Solution and Accountability Act, requires the Treasury Secretary to submit detailed reports to Congress before increasing the debt limit. These reports must include current and projected debt levels, drivers of future debt, plans to reduce debt growth (short, medium, and long-term), and analyses of how debt limit actions affect government spending, debt service, and the dollar's global role. The bill also mandates a progress report within 180 days after any debt limit increase or suspension, and requires public posting of all reports on Treasury's website for six months. Additionally, it grants congressional committees specific access to Treasury financial data upon request, including cash flow details and debt transaction information. The bill focuses solely on transparency and reporting requirements, without altering debt policy or spending levels.

Aviation Funding Solvency Act This bill provides continuing appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if (1) an appropriations bill for the FAA has not been enacted before a fiscal year begins, or (2) a law making continuing appropriations for the FAA is not in effect. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations from the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund at the rate of operations that was provided for the prior fiscal year to continue programs, projects, and activities that were funded in the preceding fiscal year. The FAA may use the balance of the fund, minus $1 billion. If the FAA determines that the amounts from the fund are insufficient to continue all programs, projects, or activities, then the FAA must prioritize compensation payments for employees of the Air Traffic Organization (e.g., air traffic controllers). The bill provides the appropriations until the date on which either (1) specified appropriations legislation for the fiscal year becomes law, or (2) a bill making continuing appropriations becomes law. Finally, the bill permanently extends the FAA Non-premium War Risk Insurance Program. This program provides aviation insurance without a premium to eligible air carriers at the request of the Department of Defense or another federal agency, provided that the agency agrees to indemnify the FAA from all losses covered under the insurance. Eligible air carriers include those whose operations are under a federal contract and are necessary for national security or to carry out U.S. foreign policy.

Essential Caregivers Act of 2025   This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods.   Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period. Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.