Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet

Maddy summaryHR 2357, the Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025, removes a restriction that previously barred workers on strike from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate language making workers ineligible for SNAP "as a result of being on strike," ensuring striking workers are not automatically denied food assistance during labor disputes. This change directly affects workers participating in strikes who would otherwise lose access to SNAP benefits. The key mechanism updates the eligibility rules to prevent SNAP ineligibility solely due to strike participation.

Maddy summaryHRES 337 is a symbolic House resolution honoring linemen for their critical role in maintaining power infrastructure and responding to emergencies. It recognizes them as first responders who work in dangerous conditions 24/7 to keep electricity flowing, supporting schools and businesses during storms. The resolution formally supports designating April 18, 2025, as "National Lineman Appreciation Day" to publicly acknowledge their contributions. As a non-binding resolution, it has no direct policy impact or effect on affected individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 2937, the PROTECT 911 Act, creates federal resources and grants to support the mental health of 911 operators (public safety telecommunicators). It requires the Secretary to develop evidence-based best practices for preventing and treating PTSD and related disorders among these workers, and to create educational materials for mental health professionals about their unique workplace stressors. The bill also authorizes grants for states and local emergency communications centers to establish or enhance evidence-based wellness programs, including peer-support initiatives, to address job-related mental health challenges. These programs aim to improve support for 911 operators who handle emergency calls in 911 centers.

Maddy summaryThe "You Earned It, You Keep It Act" (HR 2909) would exempt wages above $250,000 from Social Security taxes after 2025 and include income over $250,000 in Social Security benefit calculations. It applies to high-wage earners and self-employed individuals whose income exceeds this threshold, with special provisions for those receiving wages from multiple employers. The bill modifies how Social Security taxes are calculated by removing the tax on income above $250,000 and adjusts benefit formulas to count that income toward future payments. These changes would affect how Social Security taxes are paid and benefits are determined for high earners beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryHR 2897 expands eligibility for Small Business Administration disaster loans to cover damages from prolonged power outages. It defines a "prolonged power outage" as affecting at least 25 homes or businesses in a county (with 40% property damage) or requiring 48+ hours of power loss. Borrowers can use loan funds to purchase energy resilience systems (like solar panels or generators) or replace lost food/drinks due to the outage. This directly affects small businesses in areas impacted by extended power disruptions meeting the specified criteria.

Maddy summaryThe American Family Act (HR 2763) establishes a new refundable child tax credit that provides monthly payments to eligible families with children. It would pay $300 per month for each child under age 6 and $360 per month (120% of $300) for each child age 6 or older, with income limits of $150,000 for joint filers and $112,500 for other filers. The bill creates a "period of presumptive eligibility" to determine eligibility for monthly payments, allowing families to receive advance payments based on information from previous tax returns. This would directly affect millions of families with children who meet the income requirements, providing more consistent financial support throughout the year rather than an annual tax credit.

Maddy summaryHR 1793, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve access to vocational rehabilitation services for veterans with service-connected disabilities. The bill mandates a dedicated VA hotline, updated regional office websites with contact details, and requires VA counselors to hold monthly staff Q&A sessions and provide in-person briefings at local educational institutions (or virtual briefings for institutions over 150 miles away). It also requires the VA to submit an annual report detailing the number of veterans requesting, receiving, and being denied extensions to their rehabilitation program periods. These provisions directly affect veterans using VA vocational rehabilitation programs and VA regional office staff responsible for delivering those services.

Maddy summaryThe Great Lakes Mapping Act of 2025 requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create high-resolution maps of all Great Lakes lakebeds by December 31, 2030. This includes collecting detailed depth measurements, cataloging existing data, and managing metadata, with NOAA coordinating with Great Lakes states, regional councils, and existing initiatives. The bill mandates that partial maps be shared publicly during the project and the full map with supporting data must be released within 180 days of completion. It authorizes $50 million annually (2025-2029) for this effort, with funds available through 2030. The law directly affects NOAA and its partners, enabling improved resource management and navigation through publicly accessible lakebed data.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisors. The Federal Labor Relations Authority would determine if state laws provide these rights, and if not, would establish them for affected employees. The bill guarantees public employees the right to form unions, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activities, while requiring public employers to recognize unions and put agreements in writing. It also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would disrupt emergency services. This would apply to public employees in states that don't meet the federal standards for collective bargaining rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Defense to develop a 10-year strategy within 180 days of enactment to maintain stockpiles of anthrax countermeasures (like treatments and vaccines) in the Strategic National Stockpile and for military personnel and families on U.S. bases. It mandates annual reports to Congress detailing anthrax threats from foreign adversaries and terrorist groups, government programs addressing these threats, and efforts to ensure countermeasures are available for military dependents abroad. The strategy must prioritize sustainable cooperation with manufacturers and address multidrug-resistant strains. The bill directly affects military personnel, their families, and civilians on military installations by strengthening anthrax defense capabilities.