Maddy summaryThe Department of Homeland Security Accountability Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to report any serious injury or death occurring in DHS custody or resulting from DHS actions within 72 hours to Congress and local representatives. These notifications must include detailed information such as the date and location of the incident, the nationality of the individual involved, specific use of force tactics, and whether medical assistance was provided. The bill also mandates that the Department conduct independent investigations for these incidents, which must include reviewing video footage, placing involved employees on administrative leave, and ensuring autopsies and medical reviews are performed. All investigation reports must be submitted to Congress within seven days of completion, and video recordings of the individuals involved must be preserved for at least five years.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the Department of Homeland Security, led by an Officer who reports directly to the department head. The Office is tasked with overseeing compliance with civil rights laws, reviewing potential abuses or profiling by employees, and integrating these protections into all department policies and programs. It grants the Officer authority to investigate complaints, issue public reports on findings, and coordinate with other officials to ensure diverse communities are engaged effectively. Additionally, the legislation requires each major department unit to have its own civil rights officer and mandates annual reporting to Congress on the Office's activities and progress.
Maddy summaryHRES 1405 is a non-binding resolution that encourages the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. The document acknowledges the historical significance of events like the Stonewall Inn uprising and highlights the ongoing struggle for equality faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual individuals. It includes a detailed list of historical milestones and legislative achievements related to LGBTQIA+ rights to provide context for the celebration. Because this measure is a resolution of recognition rather than a law, it does not create new legal obligations or change federal policy.
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 Bank Failure Accountability Act requires large financial institutions to set aside a significant portion of senior employee compensation into a special fund to ensure accountability for future misconduct. Specifically, the law mandates that executives and high-earning staff defer at least half of their pay that exceeds seven times the median worker's salary, holding this money in reserve for a period ranging from two to eight years depending on the bank's size. If the institution faces fines for illegal actions or fails, these withheld funds must be used first to pay penalties or to return money to depositors, preventing the use of taxpayer resources. Any deferred compensation that cannot be repaid due to the fund running out of money will simply be cancelled, ensuring that employees do not receive full bonuses if their firm causes harm. This measure directly targets high-asset banks, credit unions, and other major financial entities to align executive incentives with long-term stability.
Maddy summaryThe Diversity Visa Protection and Modernization Act limits the executive branch's ability to completely stop the Diversity Visa Program, which provides immigration opportunities to applicants from countries with low rates of migration to the United States. Instead of allowing indefinite or broad pauses, the bill permits only targeted restrictions on specific countries, individual security denials, or temporary suspensions lasting no more than 60 days. Any such limitation requires the relevant government officials to notify Congress and publish details about the threat and legal basis at least seven days in advance. Additionally, the law ensures that individuals who have already received a Diversity Visa cannot lose their eligibility due to a temporary program-wide suspension.
Maddy summaryThe Right to Vote Act establishes legal protections against government actions that make it more difficult for citizens to vote in federal elections. It prohibits any rule or practice that diminishes voting ability unless the government proves it is the least restrictive way to achieve an important interest, and it similarly blocks substantial impairments unless they significantly further a specific government goal. The bill creates a new legal pathway for voters to challenge these restrictions in federal court, requiring judges to expedite these cases and shifting the burden of proof to the government to justify any voting barriers. These protections apply to all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia for elections occurring on or after September 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryThe Voting Systems Protection Act restricts the Federal Government from seizing election materials, such as voting machines and ballots, during a 240-day window surrounding Federal elections unless a court finds an immediate threat to election integrity. The law requires that any seizure be authorized by a warrant and mandates that a designated State official maintain continuous oversight of the handling and storage of these materials. Additionally, the bill establishes strict notification procedures, requiring Federal agencies to inform State officials and congressional leaders at least 48 hours before a seizure, with limited exceptions for emergencies. Violations of these rules, including tampering with seized items or obstructing State oversight, are subject to criminal penalties, civil lawsuits, and significant fines.
Maddy summaryThe Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2026 establishes a program to allow noncitizen veterans who were previously removed from or barred from entering the United States to return and obtain permanent resident status. It requires government officials to reopen and terminate removal cases for eligible veterans, provided they were not deported due to violent crimes or serious offenses involving at least five years in prison. The bill also mandates that noncitizen service members and veterans cannot be removed unless convicted of a crime of violence, while granting them access to military benefits and a streamlined path to naturalization. Additionally, the law directs immigration authorities to identify at-risk veterans, seek supervisory approval before initiating removal proceedings against them, and annotate official records with specific details about their military service.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Double the Wage for Overtime Act of 2026, aims to change how overtime pay is calculated for employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. It directly affects workers who currently earn less than $23,660 annually, as it would require employers to pay them two times their regular hourly rate instead of one and a half times for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. The law takes effect 180 days after it is signed, ensuring a transition period before the new pay requirements begin. By raising the overtime multiplier, the legislation seeks to increase earnings for hourly workers who work extra hours.