Rep. Stephen F. Lynch

Maddy summaryThe POLL Act requires states to develop plans ensuring voting wait times don't exceed 30 minutes at any polling place during federal elections. It establishes standards for allocating voting resources (including voting systems and poll workers) based on factors like voting-age population, past turnout, and needs of disabled voters and those with limited English proficiency. The bill creates a private right of action for voters who experience excessive wait times, allowing them to seek civil penalties. Additionally, it authorizes $500 million annually in federal funds to help states implement these changes and meet the new requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Sustaining Our Democracy Act establishes a federal program providing funding to states for election administration improvements, increased voter access, and protection of election workers. States must submit detailed plans for using funds to upgrade voting equipment, expand early and mail voting options, secure election infrastructure, and address disparities in voting access for underserved communities. The bill prohibits states from using funds for activities that restrict voting access or suppress participation, and creates an Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation to administer the program. Funded through a $2.5 billion Trust Fund for fiscal years 2026-2035, this legislation directly affects all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories receiving federal election funding.

Maddy summaryThe LOAN Act would significantly reform federal student loan programs by doubling Federal Pell Grants for eligible students (from $5,000 to $14,000 over several years), eliminating origination fees on new federal loans, and creating two new repayment plans: a fixed repayment plan and an Income-Driven Repayment Plan. It would automatically enroll borrowers who are delinquent or rehabilitating defaulted loans into income-driven repayment plans, eliminate interest capitalization (preventing interest from being added to the principal balance), and streamline Public Service Loan Forgiveness requirements. The bill would also provide refinancing options for existing federal student loans and private student loans with interest rates capped at 5%. These changes would directly affect millions of current and future student loan borrowers and Pell Grant recipients across the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts health insurance subsidies by modifying the premium tax credit structure under the Internal Revenue Code. It replaces previous income thresholds with a sliding-scale formula, increasing subsidies for households earning between 150% and 400% of the federal poverty level - reducing their required premium payments as income rises within these tiers. The changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly affecting middle-income individuals and families purchasing coverage through health insurance marketplaces. It also repeals specific provisions from a prior reconciliation law related to health care.

Maddy summaryThe College Transparency Act requires the federal government to create a new student data system that collects and shares information about college enrollment, costs, completion rates, and post-graduation outcomes. This system will directly affect colleges and universities (which must submit data), students (whose information is collected with privacy protections), and families (who will access the data to make informed education decisions). The bill mandates the development of a public website providing customizable, aggregate data on student demographics, costs, and outcomes, while prohibiting the collection of sensitive information like health records or political affiliation. The system aims to reduce reporting burdens on institutions by consolidating data collection and making information more transparent for prospective students. It includes strong privacy and security requirements to protect student information, with the data system to be developed within four years of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a barrier preventing most low-income students from accessing SNAP benefits. It amends the Food and Nutrition Act to explicitly allow students enrolled at least half-time in recognized higher education programs to qualify for SNAP, reversing a prior exclusion. The key change eliminates the previous requirement that students meet specific exceptions (now deleted) and adds a new eligibility category under Section 3(m)(5). This directly affects low-income undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and training programs who were previously ineligible. The changes take effect January 2, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $50 million annually for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention, beginning in fiscal year 2026 through 2031. The funding is in addition to existing CDC appropriations and would support studies under the Public Health Service Act. It does not create new regulations or directly affect individuals, but aims to expand research into causes and prevention strategies for gun violence. The bill focuses solely on enabling CDC research, without proposing policy changes or restrictions.

Maddy summaryHR 4796, the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act, repeals a provision that blocked Medicaid payments to certain healthcare providers during a specific period. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who received care from these providers between the enactment of the prior law (Public Law 119-21) and this bill's enactment. The key provision retroactively restores Medicaid payments for services already provided during that blocked period, treating the payment restriction as if it never existed. This change ensures eligible individuals and providers receive reimbursement for covered care delivered during the prohibited timeframe.

Maddy summaryHR 4763, the PTO Act, requires most employers to provide employees with at least 1 hour of paid annual leave for every 25 hours worked, with a maximum of 80 hours per year. It applies to private-sector workers and certain government employees, protecting their right to use paid leave for any purpose without disclosing the reason. The bill mandates employers to maintain health benefits during leave, allow carryover of up to 40 hours of unused leave, and pay out unused leave upon separation. It also prohibits employers from discriminating against employees for using paid leave or requiring them to find replacements while on leave. The law includes enforcement mechanisms, allowing employees to file complaints with the Department of Labor or pursue private lawsuits.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits companies from using automated systems to set prices or wages based on surveillance data about consumers or workers. It bans "surveillance-based price setting" (personalized pricing based on consumer tracking) and "surveillance-based wage setting" (using personal data to determine worker pay), with limited exceptions for standard discounts like student or senior citizen rates when properly disclosed. Companies must publish clear procedures about how their automated systems work, including how data is used and how consumers/workers can challenge inaccuracies. The Federal Trade Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will enforce the law, and individuals can file lawsuits to challenge violations. The bill also prohibits pre-dispute arbitration agreements that would prevent class action lawsuits.