Rep. Madeleine Dean

Maddy summaryThe Oversight Access Act prohibits the Secretary of Homeland Security from blocking Members of Congress or their staff from entering immigration detention facilities for oversight purposes. The bill also forbids requiring advance notice for these visits and bans any temporary changes to a facility that would alter what visitors observe compared to normal conditions. If the Inspector General determines that the Secretary has significantly failed to follow these rules, they must report the violation to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees within 30 days.

Maddy summaryThe Stable Homes Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to launch a five-year pilot program that provides $300 million annually in grants to local governments for establishing or expanding eviction diversion programs. These programs require landlords to notify tenants of their right to participate in dispute resolution before filing formal eviction proceedings, mandating at least 30 days of good-faith negotiation involving services such as mediation, housing counseling, and rental assistance. The legislation ensures that low-income tenants have access to free legal counsel if their landlord is represented by an attorney, while allowing landlords to bypass the program only in cases involving an imminent threat of physical harm. Local governments receiving these grants must submit annual reports detailing case outcomes, costs, and tenant demographics to Congress through 2030.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections for active-duty military personnel and recent veterans against harassment by debt collectors. It prohibits collectors from threatening to reduce a service member's rank, revoke their security clearance, or prosecute them under military law for failing to pay debts. Additionally, the legislation bans collectors from implying that a service member will face these specific penalties if they do not cooperate with collection efforts. To evaluate the law's impact, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study how these new rules affect debt information delivery, military readiness, and national security.

Maddy summaryThe FASTER Act of 2026 expands the list of major food allergens regulated by the FDA to include barley, rye, and oats alongside wheat. This change requires food manufacturers to clearly label these gluten-containing grains, helping consumers with allergies and Celiac disease identify potential triggers. The law also mandates that the FDA update its compliance guides within a year to reflect these new allergen categories. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to produce a comprehensive report on Celiac disease, covering data on prevalence, diagnostic methods, prevention strategies, and potential treatments. These provisions apply to all foods entering the market starting one year after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating July as Disability Pride Month to honor the contributions of the approximately 70 million American adults and over 3 million children with disabilities. The bill calls on individuals, interest groups, and organizations across the United States to observe the month with celebrations and activities that promote inclusion. Additionally, it urges everyone to actively work against the exclusion and discrimination that people with disabilities often face. While the measure does not create new laws or funding, it serves as an official statement of recognition and encouragement for community engagement during this time.

Maddy summaryBaby Brent's Bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and regulate the advertising and marketing of formula designed for premature infants. The legislation requires the agency to create rules that prevent companies from hiding potential health risks or downplaying the differences between breast milk-based supplements and cow-based ones. These regulations would apply to manufacturers and importers of specialized infant formula intended for babies born before 37 weeks or with low birth weight. The bill aims to ensure parents receive clear information about product safety and options while maintaining the ability to seek legal recourse if their infants are harmed.

Maddy summaryHR 4541, the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025, extends the funding period for the Young Women’s Breast Health Education and Awareness program. It amends the Public Health Service Act to update the program’s expiration date from 2026 to 2031. The bill directly affects young women aged 15-25 by ensuring continued access to breast health education and awareness resources. The key provision is a simple extension of the existing program’s authorization period, without altering its scope or requirements. This is a procedural reauthorization to maintain current services through 2031.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the State Department's Regional Technology Officer program to specifically include experts in biotechnology and emerging life sciences. It mandates that these officers receive specialized training in areas such as gene editing, biosecurity, and international biotechnology regulations to better support U.S. foreign policy goals. The legislation requires the Secretary of State to hire biotechnology-focused officers by fiscal year 2026 and submit a detailed implementation plan to Congress within 180 days. Additionally, the bill creates an exemption from hiring freezes to allow the Department to recruit the necessary personnel and establishes a requirement for annual reports on the program's progress and diplomatic outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Naming Standards Act prohibits the government from naming or renaming federal buildings, facilities, or programs after elected officials or political appointees while they are in office and for ten years after they leave. This restriction also applies indefinitely to individuals who earn more than $1 million annually from commercial use of their name or likeness, though it does not affect deceased individuals or names already established before the law takes effect. To enforce these rules, agency inspectors general must investigate complaints about violations and report their findings to agency heads and Congress within 90 days. The law allows for the incidental use of names in historical or educational contexts, provided the name is not used as the official title of a federal site or program.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and expands the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act through 2031, extending funding for research into treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It requires drug manufacturers to share interim clinical trial data with the FDA to better assess the progress of investigational drugs and clarifies that phase 3 clinical trial definitions include combined phase 2/3 trials and planned trials not yet enrolling participants. The legislation also mandates the FDA to publish an updated five-year action plan for ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases, including resource needs and coordination strategies with broader disease communities. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to submit a report on the program's implementation four years after enactment.