Rep. Troy A. Carter

Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i.e., breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body). Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Under current law, individuals generally must wait 5 months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to transition its workforce from a special personnel management system to the standard federal personnel system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by December 31, 2025. It protects TSA employees by ensuring no reduction in pay, benefits, or retirement rights during the transition, while preserving collective bargaining rights for screening agents. The legislation also mandates consultation with labor unions during the process and requires several reports on workforce issues including recruitment, harassment policies, and workplace safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing services for beneficiaries 65 and older (and some younger people with disabilities), effective January 1, 2026. It would provide 100% coverage for preventative dental services in 2026, with basic and major dental services gradually increasing to 80% coverage by 2029. Vision benefits would include 80% coverage for annual eye exams and specific limits on eyeglasses, frames, and contact lenses ($100 per year for lenses, $100 every two years for frames, $200 every two years for contacts). Hearing services would include 80% coverage for hearing exams and hearing aids, with a limit of one hearing aid per ear every 48 months. The bill also adds oral health professionals to the United States Preventive Services Task Force to help guide coverage decisions.

Maddy summaryHR 1374, the Securing the Cities Improvement Act, amends the Homeland Security Act to reform the State and Local Security Grant Program (STC). It changes eligibility so cities qualify based on their actual preparedness capacity and threat vulnerability - not just being labeled "high-risk urban areas" - and requires the federal government to establish clear performance metrics for the program. The bill mandates that participating cities track progress against these metrics and report annually to Congress on program performance and future plans. This directly affects local governments receiving federal security funding by making eligibility and oversight more specific and data-driven.

Maddy summaryThe Feed Our Families Act of 2025 ensures SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits continue for 90 days during the first government funding lapse in a fiscal year. It appropriates emergency funds from the Treasury to cover SNAP operations for the initial 90 days of a lapse in discretionary appropriations for the program. These funds are held in reserve and can only be used to maintain SNAP program services during that period. The bill directly affects millions of low-income households relying on SNAP benefits by preventing immediate disruptions during early government shutdowns.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that all new $20 U.S. currency printed after December 31, 2028, must prominently feature Harriet Tubman's portrait on the front. It requires the Treasury Secretary to release a preliminary design for this updated $20 bill by December 31, 2026. The bill directly affects the U.S. Treasury Department, codifying a 2016 announcement to feature Tubman on the $20 note (replacing Andrew Jackson) and ending a historical pattern where no woman had appeared on U.S. paper money.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides federal grants to public or nonprofit health care providers serving minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities to expand maternal and infant health services. It specifically funds prenatal, postnatal, and postpartum care while requiring grantees to offer culturally appropriate services and limit administrative costs to 10% of grant funds. Priority is given to organizations led by or located within the communities they serve, aiming to reduce racial and economic disparities in care access and health outcomes. The funding is authorized for fiscal years 2026-2030, with grantees required to coordinate with other federal maternal health programs to avoid duplication.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the non-consensual sharing of digitally manipulated intimate images (deepfakes) of identifiable people. It creates a civil right for victims to sue individuals who distribute such images without consent, allowing claims for actual damages, $150,000 in liquidated damages, or punitive damages, plus attorney fees. Criminal penalties up to 10 years in prison apply for malicious disclosure intended to harass, harm reputation, or facilitate violence. Exceptions include disclosures to law enforcement for investigations, legitimate public interest matters (excluding mere public figure status), or efforts to assist the victim. The law specifically defines "intimate digital depictions" to include explicit body parts, sexual fluids, or sexual conduct in manipulated images.

Maddy summaryHR 1918, the Farewell to Foam Act of 2025, prohibits the sale of most foam food containers, packaging peanuts, and foam coolers starting January 1, 2028. It directly affects restaurants, grocery stores, food vendors, manufacturers, and retailers who sell these items, excluding medical coolers used for drugs or medical products. The bill imposes escalating civil penalties for violations: $250 for the second offense, $500 for the third, and $1,000 for fourth or subsequent violations, with reduced penalties for small businesses under specific revenue thresholds. Enforcement is led by the EPA Administrator, with states allowed to enforce under federal guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clean Air Act to update the definition of fossil fuel, explicitly including "fuel for ocean-going vessels" alongside home heating oil and jet fuel. It directly affects the shipping industry by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue regulations within one year of enactment to implement this updated definition. The key mechanism is changing the statutory definition to ensure ocean vessel fuels are covered under existing fossil fuel regulations, potentially influencing future clean fuel standards for ships. The EPA must also submit a report to Congress on implementation within one year of finalizing these regulations.