Rep. Ryan Mackenzie

Maddy summaryThe Supporting VA Families Act grants unpaid parental leave to Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This provision allows employees to take four weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period for the birth of a child or for adoption and foster care placements. The leave is designed to supplement existing leave policies rather than replace them, ensuring employees can balance family needs with their work responsibilities. The act defines eligible employees and children according to existing federal definitions found in Title 5 of the United States Code.

Maddy summaryThe "Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act" amends current law to address the workforce and economic impacts of substance use disorders. It requires the Department of Labor to provide states and local areas with information on effective practices for tackling these impacts, including how to access relevant funding. The bill also expands the use of national dislocated worker grants to fund employment and training activities related to substance use disorder prevention and treatment in areas heavily affected by addiction. Eligible individuals for these specific grants include dislocated workers, the long-term unemployed, those impacted by widespread substance use, and individuals in healthcare professions focused on substance use treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires group health plans and health insurers that cover obstetrical services to also cover infertility and iatrogenic infertility treatments, including procedures like in vitro fertilization and egg freezing. It defines infertility as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected intercourse or after standard medical treatment, and iatrogenic infertility as fertility damage caused by medical procedures such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The legislation establishes coverage standards that cannot be more restrictive than those applied to other medical benefits, prohibits penalties against providers for offering these services, and requires annual compliance reporting to the federal government.

Maddy summaryThe STOP Suicide Act establishes a new grant program to fund stabilization services for individuals experiencing acute suicidal thoughts. These grants will be awarded competitively to eligible entities such as community health centers, crisis centers, schools, and tribal organizations to support evidence-based interventions that reduce immediate suicide risk. The program authorizes up to $30 million annually from 2027 to 2031 and requires recipients to submit plans for sustaining services after grant funding ends. Grants may support outpatient care, virtual services, and peer support in the least restrictive settings appropriate for each individual's needs.

This resolution recognizes the importance of fully funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The resolution also (1) cautions that Americans are at greater risk each day DHS is subject to a lapse in appropriations, and (2) expresses gratitude to DHS employees for their commitment to protect the United States.

Maddy summaryHRES 971 is a non-binding resolution condemning China's economic and military actions against Japan following Japanese officials' comments about Taiwan. It specifically addresses China's travel advisory (causing $1.2 billion in tourism losses), a ban on Japanese seafood imports, and military drills near Japanese territory. The resolution reaffirms U.S. support for the U.S.-Japan alliance under their mutual security treaty and calls on China to cease coercion. It emphasizes U.S. commitment to upholding a "free and open Indo-Pacific" based on international law. This resolution directly affects Japan's economy and security, with no new legal obligations but serving as a formal U.S. policy statement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners and operators of gas distribution pipelines to evaluate their systems for the presence of Aldyl-A polyethylene plastic within three years of enactment. The law mandates that pipeline companies report the total mileage of any identified Aldyl-A piping to the Secretary but does not require digging or excavation to find it. Additionally, the bill updates federal safety regulations to include historic plastics with known safety issues alongside cast iron and bare steel pipelines in risk assessment and integrity management programs. The legislation applies to all gas distribution pipeline facilities in the United States and aims to improve safety oversight without mandating immediate physical inspection or replacement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that U.S. Representatives and Senators have their pay withheld for each day a government shutdown occurs during their pay period. If a shutdown happens, Congress's payroll office would withhold an amount equal to one day's salary for each full day of the shutdown, either reducing the current pay or holding funds in a special account until after the November 2026 election (for shutdowns before that date). The law applies to all federal agency shutdowns and specifies that withheld funds must be released to members on the 2026 election date to comply with constitutional pay protections. It takes effect for shutdowns occurring after the 2026 election.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the significant contributions of Irish Americans to the American War for Independence during the 250th anniversary of the United States. It recognizes that Irish-born soldiers and citizens of Irish descent made up a large portion of the Continental Army and included key figures like Commodore John Barry and Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who signed the Declaration of Independence. The measure formally acknowledges the role of Irish merchants and community leaders who provided financial and material support to the revolutionary cause. It encourages Americans to reflect on this heritage as part of the broader national commemoration without proposing any new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating the third week of March as National CACFP Week to raise awareness of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The bill directly affects childcare centers, family daycare homes, emergency shelters, after-school programs, and adult daycare centers that provide meals to children and adults. It acknowledges the program's role in improving health outcomes and reducing costs for care providers while urging continued funding and administrative support for the initiative.