Maddy summaryThe National Veterans Strategy Act of 2026 requires the President to establish measurable metrics for veteran well-being - covering health, employment, education, and social engagement - and develop a national strategy every four years to align federal, state, local, nonprofit, and private sector efforts toward improving veteran outcomes. This strategy must be developed with input from veterans, government agencies, and stakeholders like veterans' organizations and businesses, and it will guide how benefits and services are delivered to address gaps in veteran success. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress tracking progress, spending, and barriers, with a requirement for the President to update the strategy every four years based on public input and evaluation. It directly affects all veterans by creating a coordinated framework for service delivery, though specific benefits or programs are not defined by the bill itself.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes the Veterans Affairs appeals process for benefit claims. It requires veterans to submit evidence within 90 days of a notice of disagreement (for both hearing and non-hearing cases), limits evidence considered beyond that timeframe, and adds flexibility for veterans to withdraw appeals or switch case tracking systems without losing progress. The bill also mandates clearer decision notices detailing issues, evidence considered, and reasons for denials, and requires the VA to create an integrated system for processing appeals across agencies. Finally, it establishes annual reports on appeal outcomes and directs third-party reviews to improve decision quality and reduce remands.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends increased dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It directly affects the spouses of veterans whose death was caused by ALS, specifically those who died on or after October 1, 2022. The key provision amends a law to treat veterans who died from ALS as if they had the disease for the required period before death, removing a prior time requirement for compensation eligibility. This change ensures surviving spouses qualify for the same benefits previously available only to veterans with longer ALS diagnoses.
Maddy summaryThe START Act streamlines the process for registering apprenticeship programs by requiring the Department of Labor to review submitted program standards within 90 days and providing faster, 30-day feedback for incomplete submissions. It establishes a new grant program that provides federal funding to states based on their population and the number of apprentices, with states required to match these funds to support training, technical assistance, and outreach efforts. The legislation also mandates greater transparency by requiring state agencies to publicly post their reciprocity rules, apprenticeship standards, and their average response times to program applications. Additionally, the bill clarifies that state apprenticeship councils do not have final decision-making authority over program registrations, shifting that power to the federal Secretary of Labor or designated state agencies.
Maddy summaryThe ADVICE Act creates a new advisory committee within the Department of Labor to improve how apprenticeship data is collected and shared. This committee will include representatives from state agencies, industries, labor organizations, and educational institutions to develop specific recommendations for better data integration. Their primary goal is to standardize apprenticeship records so they can be easily combined with other workforce and education data systems, while also reducing the reporting burden on program sponsors. After the committee submits its report, the Secretary of Labor must create a policy plan and request funding to help states implement these improvements.
Maddy summaryThe INSIGHT Act requires the Department of Labor to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the status of active pension plan investigations, including timelines, reasons for delays, and estimated completion dates while protecting the privacy of private parties involved. It also mandates transparency regarding "adverse assistance" provided to attorneys by requiring written agreements that outline the scope of help and sharing copies of these agreements with potentially affected employers and plan sponsors. Additionally, the bill adds a formal statement to existing pension laws declaring that promoting voluntary pension plans is a key policy goal to ensure employee retirement security. These measures aim to increase accountability and public understanding of how the government oversees and supports employee benefit plans without revealing sensitive private information.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Title X family planning program to prohibit the use of federal funds for entities that perform or financially support abortions. It allows exceptions for cases involving rape, incest, or life-threatening medical conditions, while also permitting hospitals to receive funding as long as they do not give those funds to non-hospital abortion providers. To enforce these rules, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit annual reports detailing which organizations receive grants and the specific number of abortions performed under the medical and criminal exceptions.
Maddy summaryThe Improving IRS Customer Service Act requires the Internal Revenue Service to enhance transparency and accessibility for taxpayers by mandating real-time public dashboards that display phone wait times, call statistics, and refund processing details. The bill also directs the IRS to expand online tools, allowing individuals and authorized representatives to view tax documents, respond to notices, and track refund status through a unified website or mobile app. Additionally, the legislation establishes programs to identify taxpayers facing economic hardships and provide them with information on alternative payment options, while requiring the National Taxpayer Advocate to publish monthly performance statistics on case resolution times. These measures aim to improve communication between the IRS and the public, reduce wait times, and increase the availability of digital services for filing and account management.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes existing regional ocean partnerships through 2031, extending funding for coastal states and tribes managing ocean resources. It sets specific annual funding levels: $11.57 million for 2028, $11.69 million for 2029, $11.81 million for 2030, and $11.92 million for 2031. The bill makes technical updates to reporting requirements and adjusts the funding period to align with the new authorization. It directly affects current regional ocean partnership programs under the 2023 defense act, ensuring continued federal support for coastal management efforts.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to produce a report within one year of enactment, analyzing how minors access fentanyl (including fake pills) through social media platforms. The report must cover the prevalence of this access, health and safety risks to minors, how sellers use platform features to market drugs, and current measures by platforms and law enforcement. It also mandates consultation with stakeholders like parents, platforms, and medical experts before publishing. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but focuses on gathering data to inform future policy decisions.