Maddy summaryThe State Department Integrity and Transparency Act aims to ensure that senior U.S. foreign policy officials possess the necessary expertise and nonpartisan qualifications. It mandates that at least 75 percent of Assistant Secretaries of State have prior experience in senior foreign or executive service roles. The bill also requires detailed public reports on nominees' language skills and cultural knowledge, alongside disclosures of any campaign contributions received by nominees or their immediate families. Additionally, it limits the duration of special diplomatic appointments to a maximum of 90 days per year to prevent long-term placements without significant authority. These measures are designed to enhance the professionalism and transparency of the Department of State while protecting U.S. foreign policy interests.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Preventing Payouts for Insurrectionists Act, bars individuals convicted of specific crimes related to the January 6 Capitol attack or election interference from receiving future federal compensation. It also requires people who received such payments between January 20, 2025, and the date the law is enacted to return the money to the U.S. Treasury. State attorneys general are authorized to sue these individuals in federal court to enforce the repayment and collect an additional 25% penalty to cover legal costs. The rules apply to any claim filed on or after January 20, 2025, regardless of when the underlying incident occurred.
Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2026 prohibits any person or government entity from restricting, sanctioning, or discriminating against individuals who travel to another state to receive reproductive health care that is legal there. It also protects those who assist travelers and reproductive health care providers from facing penalties for offering services to out-of-state patients, effectively overriding any conflicting state laws. The bill establishes a private right of action allowing affected individuals, organizations, and providers to sue in federal or state court for violations, with provisions for damages and attorney's fees. Additionally, it removes state sovereign immunity defenses for officials enforcing laws that interfere with this travel right, ensuring federal courts can hear such cases directly.
Maddy summaryThe HALO Act of 2026 establishes strict rules for the U.S. Department of Defense regarding the design, testing, and use of artificial intelligence in autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems. It mandates that a human commander must always retain ultimate control over the use of force, requiring these systems to be designed so they cannot engage targets without prior human selection or authorization. The legislation also introduces rigorous pre-development and pre-fielding reviews, mandates detailed record-keeping for every engagement, and prohibits the use of AI for certain surveillance activities that could infringe on civil liberties. Additionally, the bill requires regular public reporting on AI usage, continuous monitoring for system failures, and specific protections for whistleblowers who raise concerns about safety or legal compliance.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to correct burial markers for American-Jewish servicemembers who died in World War I or II and were mistakenly buried under Latin crosses (a Christian symbol) in overseas U.S. military cemeteries. The American Battle Monuments Commission will run this 10-year program, authorizing $500,000 annually to contract with qualified nonprofit organizations to identify affected veterans and contact their families. It directly affects Jewish veterans buried overseas with incorrect markers and their descendants, ensuring their religious heritage is properly recognized. The program requires nonprofits to verify burial records and facilitate marker corrections, with priority given to organizations experienced in Jewish military history.
Maddy summaryThis bill transfers approximately 583.79 acres of federal land (excluding 20 acres of roads) from the U.S. Forest Service to the Pit River Tribe in trust for the tribe's benefit. The land becomes part of the tribe's reservation and is administered by the Secretary of the Interior under standard federal trust regulations. Key provisions require a survey within 180 days of enactment and explicitly prohibit the land from being used for tribal gaming under federal law. The bill directly affects the Pit River Tribe (including its XL Ranch, Big Bend, Likely, Lookout, Montgomery Creek, and Roaring Creek Rancherias) by expanding their reservation land base.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a land exchange between the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (a federally recognized tribe) and the U.S. government. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to accept the tribe’s offer to convey approximately 1,460 acres of tribal land (Non-Federal Land) and convey in return about 1,475 acres of National Forest land (Federal Land), excluding specific forest service road easements. As a condition, the tribe must preserve the Arrowhead landmark site through a separate agreement recorded with San Bernardino County and the Forest Service. The exchange is managed under standard land survey processes and will integrate the federal land into the San Bernardino National Forest.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal assistance program specifically for specialty crop farmers who face financial losses due to disasters, economic crises, or market disruptions. Under the new framework, the Secretary of Agriculture would calculate payments based on the producer's recent sales history and a specific payment factor determined to address the losses. The legislation includes special rules to account for the higher value and input costs associated with growing specialty crops compared to standard commodities. Additionally, it sets payment limits consistent with existing farm bill provisions, with higher maximums allowed for producers whose income is primarily derived from farming activities.
Maddy summaryThe Economic Relief for Specialty Crops Act appropriates $5 billion to the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2027 to provide financial assistance to specialty crop farmers. These funds are designated for a specific program announced by the Secretary of Agriculture, which may include existing marketing support or similar future initiatives. The bill requires that payments follow the terms and conditions outlined in a previous federal notice regarding marketing assistance for these crops. This legislation directly affects producers of specialty crops by allocating resources to help them through designated government programs.
Maddy summaryThe Expanding Market Access Act aims to boost U.S. agricultural exports by improving foreign infrastructure and increasing funding for trade promotion programs. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance, such as training and infrastructure assessments, to help developing markets better handle U.S. agricultural products, with specific funding limits set for 2027 and 2028. Additionally, the bill mandates a biennial report analyzing foreign barriers to U.S. specialty crop exports and outlines how to address these issues through trade negotiations or legal actions. The legislation also significantly increases funding for agricultural trade promotion activities from 2026 through 2031, while repealing two older, unrelated provisions from previous laws.