Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Maddy summaryThe No Passes for Polluters Act of 2026 requires Congress to explicitly approve any exemptions from Clean Air Act regulations before the President or federal agencies can use them. Under this bill, the President must submit a detailed message to both houses of Congress explaining the reasons and facts behind any proposed exemption, which then triggers a special legislative process. To pass such an exemption, a joint resolution must be approved by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, with limited debate and no amendments allowed. Additionally, the Comptroller General will review these proposals to ensure they have legal authority, and any unauthorized use of exemptions could lead to civil lawsuits. The legislation also mandates that the President reconsider certain executive branch emissions regulations every three years.

Maddy summaryThe Whale CHARTS Act of 2026 establishes a program to protect migratory whales and other large cetaceans through improved mapping, monitoring, and mitigation measures. It requires the creation of detailed, high-resolution maps of whale habitats, including calving grounds and migration routes, which will be integrated into vessel navigation systems to prevent collisions. The bill authorizes $8 million annually through 2030 for mapping, surveys, and a $10 million grant program to fund new detection technologies that reduce harmful interactions between whales and ocean users. It also mandates regular reporting to Congress on the program's effectiveness and progress in filling knowledge gaps about whale habitats.

Maddy summaryThe AADAPT Act reauthorizes and expands Project ECHO grants to improve Alzheimer’s and dementia care through technology-enabled training. It specifically funds grants for healthcare providers in rural, frontier, or medically underserved areas to enhance early diagnosis, quality care, and provider retention for dementia patients. The bill authorizes $1 million annually (2027-2032) for these dementia-focused training programs, requiring funds to supplement - not replace - existing resources. This directly supports primary care providers licensed to serve underserved communities, using collaborative online learning to address care gaps.

Maddy summaryHR 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, requires the FDA to update regulatory language within one year of enactment. It directs the agency to replace all references to "animal tests" with "nonclinical tests" in 22 specific sections of the Code of Federal Regulations related to drug development and approval processes. The bill also adds a definition for "nonclinical test" into relevant FDA regulations to align with prior legislative changes. This update applies directly to pharmaceutical manufacturers and FDA reviewers who follow these regulatory guidelines during drug development. The changes aim to modernize terminology without altering current testing requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Save MEDICARE Act of 2026 aims to improve the Medicare Advantage program by starting in 2028 with several changes to how health plans are paid and monitored. It requires the government to exclude diagnoses from chart reviews when calculating payments to prevent plans from inflating costs based on questionable data. The bill also speeds up audits and appeals to ensure faster resolution of coding disputes and introduces a new penalty system to recover overpayments from plans. Additionally, the law allows states to enforce Medicare rules within their borders and bans financial incentives for doctors based on how they code patient records. Finally, it establishes a mechanism for the Department of Veterans Affairs to recover costs when Medicare Advantage plans cover care that should have been paid for by the VA.

Maddy summaryThe Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2026 establishes a new federal commission within the Department of Health and Human Services to study child marriage across the United States and recommend strategies to eliminate it. The bill also creates a grant program to help states with lax marriage laws form task forces to examine local issues and develop policy solutions. To discourage child marriage, the legislation provides increased federal funding to states that have laws prohibiting marriage for anyone under 18 years of age. Additionally, the act restricts the use of federal property for marriages where either party is under 18 and modifies immigration laws to generally require both spouses to be at least 18 for visa petitions to be approved. The bill further mandates private interviews for immigration officers reviewing spousal or fiancé petitions involving minors and requires public education campaigns about the harms of child marriage and available support resources.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act restricts federal funding for colleges that offer programs preparing students for licensed professions unless those programs guarantee licensure eligibility in the student's specific state and provide required clinical or internship placements. To prevent low-earning degrees, the bill mandates that programs must maintain a debt-to-earnings ratio below 8 percent and a discretionary debt-to-earnings ratio below 20 percent, with institutions barred from enrolling students in non-compliant programs for up to three years. Additionally, the legislation requires colleges to clearly warn students if a program does not meet the educational prerequisites for practicing a profession in the state where the student lives. Finally, the act enforces stricter rules on distance learning by requiring schools to be legally authorized in every state where their online students reside, unless covered by a specific reciprocity agreement between states.

Maddy summaryThe Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act establishes a grant program to help internationally educated health care professionals integrate into the U.S. health care system. Under this bill, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would award funds to eligible groups, such as hospitals, universities, and government agencies, after consulting with the Labor and Education departments. Recipients must use at least 20 percent of the money for system-wide improvements like mentoring networks and employer education, while the remaining funds can support individual needs such as licensing fees, language training, and living expenses. Priority is given to projects that address workforce shortages in rural areas or communities with significant gaps in health care staffing. The act also requires annual reporting on the number of professionals supported and their employment outcomes, with funding authorized through fiscal year 2031.

Maddy summaryOrlin's Law requires immigration officials to identify detained parents and prioritize family unity by limiting detention when possible. The bill mandates that parents be allowed to make free calls and visits with their children, participate in family court proceedings, and access necessary documents to care for their dependents. It also establishes a new office within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to coordinate these protections and provides for community-based alternatives to detention. Additionally, the law creates a presumption that parental rights remain intact even if a child is separated from a detained parent and outlines specific steps to facilitate reunification upon removal.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic pre-approval systems for medical services by 2028 and meet transparency reporting standards starting in 2027. Plans must publicly report data on approval/denial rates, appeal outcomes, response times, and technology use for pre-approval requests, including details on how denials relate to clinical criteria. It establishes a 24-hour response timeframe for certain requests and mandates annual reviews of pre-approval requirements based on data and input from seniors and providers. The law directly affects Medicare Advantage plans, seniors enrolled in these plans, and healthcare providers who submit pre-approval requests. These changes aim to make the pre-approval process faster, more transparent, and more accountable for seniors seeking covered medical services.