Rep. Lois Frankel

Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 This bill provides back pay to employees of federal contractors who lost pay due to a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) in FY2026. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies that are subject to a lapse in appropriations in FY2026 to adjust the price of contracts to compensate federal contractors for providing back pay to employees who were affected by the lapse in appropriations.  The agencies must adjust the price of any contract for which the contractor stopped, suspended, delayed, or interrupted all or part of the work under the contract due to the lapse in appropriations. The price adjustment must compensate the contractor for reasonable costs incurred to (1) compensate employees who were furloughed or laid off, were not working, or experienced a reduction of hours or compensation due to the lapse in appropriations; or (2) restore paid leave taken by employees during the lapse in appropriations if the contractor required or permitted employees to use paid leave as a result of the lapse in appropriations. The maximum amount of weekly compensation of an employee for which an adjustment may be made under this bill may not exceed the lesser of (1) the employee's actual weekly compensation, or (2) $1,442 (or a lesser amount pro-rated for an employee who works less than 40 hours per week). The bill also requires the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to submit a report to Congress on the adjustments made under this bill.

Maddy summaryHR 5660, the Pay Our Military Act, ensures military personnel and support staff receive pay during a government funding gap in fiscal year 2026. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover pay and allowances for active-duty troops, reservists, Department of Defense civilian employees, and contractors supporting military operations, if Congress hasn’t passed regular funding by then. The funding remains available until either regular appropriations are enacted or January 1, 2027, whichever comes first. This is a temporary measure to prevent disruptions in military pay during budget negotiations.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution designates the week of September 22-28, 2025, as "National Falls Prevention Awareness Week" to raise public awareness about falls among older adults (65+). It directly affects older adults and organizations working on fall prevention, such as healthcare providers and community groups. The resolution cites CDC data showing falls cause 41,000 annual deaths and $80 billion in medical costs, while encouraging existing evidence-based strategies like home safety modifications and balance exercises. It does not create new laws or funding but supports awareness efforts and collaboration among federal agencies, the Aging Network, and healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents federal agencies from terminating employees during a government shutdown caused by a lapse in discretionary funding. It prohibits removals of civil service employees at any agency affected by a funding gap, and if an employee is wrongfully removed, they can return to their job with back pay once funding resumes. The law directly protects all federal employees covered by the civil service system during shutdowns. It applies automatically to any funding lapse, requiring automatic reinstatement without needing separate legal action.

Maddy summaryThe FASTER Act (HR 5575) provides federal grants through FEMA to fire departments for programs that prevent falls among older adults (65+). It directly affects fire departments (career, combination, and volunteer) and seniors by funding home safety modifications like handrails, removing tripping hazards, and installing emergency access devices. Key provisions include 3-year grants covering up to 75% of costs in the first two years (35% in year three), requiring fire departments to use funds for specific fall prevention activities like home assessments and community paramedicine staffing - not to replace local funding. The bill mandates performance evaluations and a congressional report on effectiveness within two years of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2025 would establish a federal grant program to fund school-based mental health services for students in grades K-12, particularly those experiencing trauma, grief, suicide risk, or violence. It directly affects schools (including Bureau of Indian Education schools), students, and community mental health providers through partnerships that must include school districts and local mental health entities. Key provisions require services to be culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and integrated with positive behavioral supports, with grants capped at $2 million per award for 5 years (renewable) and funded at $300 million annually for 2027-2028. Recipients must report annually on program outcomes, ensure equitable access across urban and rural areas, and comply with privacy laws like HIPAA and FERPA.

Maddy summaryThe POJA Act of 2025 amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act to explicitly prohibit age discrimination against job applicants, not just current employees. It directly affects job seekers aged 40 and older who face bias during hiring. The bill requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to conduct a study within one year of enactment, counting age discrimination claims filed since 2015 (including closed cases), and issue a public report with prevention recommendations for employers. This study aims to address gaps in protecting applicants during the hiring process.

Maddy summaryHRES 746 is a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning all political violence - including attacks on elected officials, candidates, and public figures - and rejecting rhetoric that dehumanizes opponents. It specifically urges law enforcement to investigate and prosecute such violence, calls on public officials and media to avoid inflammatory language, and references recent incidents like the 2025 assassination of activist Charlie Kirk and targeted shootings of Minnesota legislators. The resolution does not create new laws but formally expresses the House’s commitment to protecting public servants and promoting peaceful political discourse. It directly affects the House’s public stance and serves as a call to action for officials, media, and communities to foster civil engagement.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens rights for crime victims in federal cases by requiring the government to inform victims about their rights, including details about plea bargains, agreements, and legal assistance options. It creates a new process for victims to file complaints about rights violations with a Department of Justice Administrative Authority, which must issue decisions within 180 days. The bill also mandates trauma-informed training for DOJ staff, requires the DOJ to report on implementation, and allows victims to seek attorney's fees if they successfully assert their rights. These changes apply to all federal criminal cases where a victim has been directly harmed by an offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and CHIP to cover vaccines recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles). It applies to vaccines recommended as of October 25, 2024, including updates through 2029, and covers all such vaccines for the period starting when the bill is enacted until December 31, 2029. The requirement excludes vaccines given within minimum recommended intervals. It directly affects patients, insurers, and government health programs by ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for covered vaccines during this timeframe.