Rep. Julia Brownley

Stop the Wait Act of 2025 This bill phases out the initial waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eliminates the waiting period for certain disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare.  Under current law, individuals generally must wait five months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits. The bill would gradually reduce this waiting period before eliminating it entirely in the year 2030.  Further, the bill would eliminate the 24-month waiting period for certain disabled workers and other individuals to become eligible for Medicare. Under current law, individuals under the age of 65 may generally enroll in Medicare after they have been eligible for SSDI or Social Security child’s, widow’s, or widower’s benefits by reason of disability for 24 months. The bill would eliminate this waiting period for individuals for whom the annual cost of certain medical insurance would exceed a specified percentage of their household income (i.e., those who cannot afford minimum essential coverage). Medicare eligibility for these individuals must be available retroactively to the first month that an individual qualified for SSDI or Social Security child’s, widow’s, or widower’s benefits by reason of disability.

Maddy summaryHR 918 makes a tax deduction for mortgage insurance premiums permanent for homeowners. The bill removes a temporary expiration clause in the tax code, ensuring that individuals who pay mortgage insurance (typically those with less than 20% down payment on a home loan) can continue deducting these costs on their federal taxes. This change applies to premiums paid after December 31, 2024, providing ongoing tax relief for affected homeowners without altering the deduction's eligibility rules. The policy change directly affects millions of homeowners who rely on this deduction to reduce their taxable income.

National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act or the NO BAN Act This bill imposes limitations on the President's authority to suspend or restrict aliens from entering the United States. It also prohibits religious discrimination in various immigration-related decisions, such as whether to issue an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa, unless there is a statutory basis for such discrimination. The President may temporarily restrict the entry of any aliens or class of aliens after the Department of State determines that the restriction would address specific and credible facts that threaten U.S. interests such as public safety. The bill also imposes limitations on such restrictions, such as requiring the President, State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to (1) only issue a restriction when required to address a compelling government interest, and (2) narrowly tailor the suspension to use the least restrictive means to achieve such an interest. Before imposing a restriction, the State Department and DHS shall consult with Congress. The State Department and DHS shall report to Congress about the restriction within 48 hours of the restriction's imposition. If such a report is not made, the restriction shall immediately terminate. Individuals or entities present in the United States and unlawfully harmed by such a restriction may sue in federal court. The bill transfers the authority to suspend the entry of aliens traveling to the United States on a commercial airline that failed to comply with regulations related to detecting fraudulent travel documents from the Department of Justice to DHS.

This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, in recognition of their contribution to civil rights by fighting for equality in interstate travel.

Maddy summaryHR 944, the Access to Counsel Act, requires U.S. immigration officials to provide certain immigrants a meaningful opportunity to consult with legal counsel during key immigration processes. It directly affects U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents returning from travel, visa holders, refugees, asylees, and parolees subject to secondary or deferred inspection at ports of entry. The bill mandates that officials ensure access to counsel (including via phone) within one hour of inspection starting, allow counsel to present evidence, and accommodate in-person meetings when possible. It also requires officials to provide counsel access before accepting Form I-407 abandonment forms from lawful permanent residents, unless waived in writing. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment and preserves existing rights to counsel under other immigration laws.

Maddy summaryHR 964, the Rosa Parks Day Act, would designate Rosa Parks Day as a legal public holiday for federal employees and institutions. The bill amends Title 5 of the U.S. Code to add "Rosa Parks Day" to the list of recognized federal holidays, following Thanksgiving Day. This change would establish a new annual observance on the day designated by the President, requiring federal offices to close and employees to receive paid time off. The bill directly affects federal operations and employees, creating a new standard for federal holiday observance.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently excludes forgiven mortgage debt on primary residences from taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code. It directly affects homeowners who have their mortgage debt forgiven (e.g., through short sales or foreclosure) by preventing them from owing income tax on the forgiven amount. The key change amends tax code Section 108(a)(1)(E) to remove the temporary expiration date, making the exclusion permanent. The provision applies to mortgage debt discharged after December 31, 2025. This simplifies tax treatment for affected homeowners without creating new government programs or benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 921, the Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds for his heroic actions during World War II. The bill recognizes Edmonds' defiance of Nazi orders to separate Jewish-American soldiers at Stalag IX-A prisoner camp, where he declared "We are all Jews here" to protect approximately 200 Jewish soldiers, saving their lives. The medal, to be struck by the U.S. Treasury and presented to his son or next of kin, commemorates his actions and his posthumous recognition as "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem. This commemorative act does not create new policy or affect any group beyond honoring Edmonds' legacy.

Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act This bill allows the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to assess civil penalties against motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders for violations related to the interstate transportation of household goods and provides states with additional related authorities. As background, a broker is the “middle person” between a shipper and a motor carrier and arranges for the transportation of household goods. A freight forwarder organizes shipments for individuals or corporations. Unlike a broker, freight forwarders assume responsibility for transportation and may transport the freight itself. The bill expands the FMCSA registration requirements to require motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders to designate a principal place of business (i.e., a single physical location where management officials report to work, a significant portion of the transportation business is conducted, and records are maintained). FMCSA may withhold, suspend, amend, or revoke any part of a registration for failure to designate. In addition, brokers and freight forwarders must disclose any common ownership, management, control, or familial relationship with any other carrier, freight forwarder, broker, or applicant in the previous three years. Under current law, motor carriers must disclose this information. Further, states may use certain grant funds to enforce federal household goods statutes and regulations for the interstate transportation of these goods by motor carriers and brokers. This applies to Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) grant funds and MCSAP High Priority discretionary grant funds. A state shall retain collected fines that are a result of enforcement.

Maddy summaryHR 897, the Aviation-Impacted Communities Act, makes communities located near airports but outside the current FAA noise standard (65 DNL) eligible for noise mitigation funding and establishes a process for these communities to formally seek designation. It requires the FAA to partner with the National Academy of Sciences to study aviation impacts at major airports, develop a diagnostic tool for community assessments, and create community boards to represent residents. These boards can request assessments, collaborate on action plans to address noise or emissions, and access grants for solutions like sound insulation, air filtration, or flight path changes. The bill authorizes $750 million for noise mitigation funding over 10 years, targeting residential areas, schools, hospitals, and other facilities affected by aircraft noise and emissions.