Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet

Maddy summaryHR 2098, the "Deliver for Democracy Act," requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to meet specific on-time delivery targets for periodicals (including newspapers) to receive annual rate increases. The bill mandates that the Postal Regulatory Commission must confirm USPS achieved either a 95% on-time delivery rate for periodicals or a 2-percentage-point improvement over the prior year before authorizing new rates. It also requires the Postmaster General to submit annual public reports tracking on-time delivery performance for newspaper mail in-county and out-of-county, using stakeholder feedback and alternative data methods if needed. Additionally, the bill directs the GAO to study alternative pricing options for periodicals and submit a report within two years.

Maddy summaryHR 2142, the Social Security Overpayment Relief Act, prevents the U.S. government from seeking repayment of Social Security overpayments that occurred more than 10 years before the Commissioner determines the overpayment. It applies to both retirement/disability benefits (Title II) and Supplemental Security Income (Title XVI) programs. The bill directly affects beneficiaries who received incorrect payments years ago, as the government can no longer pursue recovery for overpayments older than a decade. This creates a clear 10-year limit on the government's ability to adjust payments or recover funds from individuals. The change modifies existing Social Security Act provisions to establish this time limit for overpayment adjustments.

Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2025 or the HELPER Act of 2025 This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a first-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment. Instead, the mortgage is subject to a one-time, up-front mortgage insurance premium.

Maddy summaryThe Access to Family Building Act establishes legal rights for individuals seeking fertility care and health care providers offering assisted reproductive technology (ART) services. It prohibits states or localities from imposing unreasonable restrictions on ART access - such as excessive costs, health barriers, or arbitrary limitations - that don’t advance safety or health outcomes. The bill allows patients, providers, or insurers to sue to enforce these rights, while explicitly preserving state health/safety regulations that protect patient safety. It does not override existing state insurance laws or require changes to medical facility safety standards. This bill directly affects patients pursuing fertility treatment, fertility clinics, and health insurers covering ART services.

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.

Resident Education Deferred Interest Act or the REDI Act This bill allows borrowers in medical or dental internships or residency programs to defer student loan payments until the completion of their programs.

Maddy summaryThe WISH Act would create a federal long-term care insurance program to help seniors cover costs of long-term care services. It would provide monthly benefits to seniors who have a serious disability lasting at least a year, have met coverage requirements (6 quarters of coverage in the base period starting in 2026), and have not exhausted their savings. Benefits would be calculated based on the median cost of personal assistance care and the individual's work history. The program would be funded through an initial $12 million appropriation for each of fiscal years 2026-2028, plus $50 million for public education. This would help seniors avoid exhausting their savings or becoming dependent on Medicaid for long-term care costs.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 620 East Pecan Boulevard in McAllen, Texas, as the "Agent Raul H. Gonzalez Jr. Memorial Post Office Building".

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 summaryHR 1902, the HERO Act, creates a national data system to track suicide rates among public safety officers (including firefighters, EMTs, police, and telecommunicators) and requires annual reports to Congress with detailed breakdowns by age, gender, occupation, and employment status (volunteer, career, etc.). The bill funds peer-support mental health programs for fire departments and EMS agencies, establishes confidential wellness services for healthcare providers, and develops resources to train mental health professionals on first responder-specific stressors and PTSD. It prohibits using suicide data to deny life insurance or benefits to survivors and mandates that all collected data be kept confidential and secure. This legislation directly affects all public safety officers nationwide by improving data collection, access to mental health resources, and evidence-based interventions to address suicide and trauma.