Rep. Deborah K. Ross

Maddy summaryHR 5673, titled "Stop the Trump Electricity Price Hikes Act," would reinstate financial assistance awards terminated by the Department of Energy under a May 15, 2025, secretarial memorandum. It directly affects recipients of these awards - likely energy or infrastructure projects - that had their funding cut, by restoring their financial support as if the terminations never occurred. The key mechanism requires the Department to treat all such terminated awards as valid and continuing, overriding prior termination actions. This bill does not address electricity pricing, consumer rates, or introduce new energy regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Medicare coverage for multi-cancer early detection screening tests (blood or biological tests analyzing cell-free DNA) starting January 1, 2028. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries aged 68 and older (starting in 2028, with the age limit increasing by 1 year annually), requiring tests to be FDA-cleared and deemed reasonable/necessary by the Secretary for early cancer detection across multiple organ sites. Payment will initially match current stool DNA test rates before 2031, then shift to a lower rate or new payment system after 2031, with limits preventing more than one test per year. The bill explicitly states it does not alter coverage for existing cancer screenings like breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer tests.

Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2025 This bill expands certain health professional programs and Medicare covered services to include physical therapists. Specifically, the bill expands the National Health Service Corps to include physical therapists and provides for the designation of specific health professional target areas for physical therapists under the program. The bill also expands covered services of rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers under Medicare to include physical therapy services. The bill increases funds for FY2025 for the corps and requires a certain amount of funds to be used for student loan repayments for participating physical therapists in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures federal firefighters continue receiving pay and benefits during government funding gaps and shutdowns. It authorizes continuing appropriations for firefighter pay during any period without full-year funding for fiscal year 2026, and prohibits layoffs due to reduction-in-force actions during funding lapses. The law directly affects firefighters employed by executive agencies or military departments whose primary duties involve fire control and extinguishment. Key provisions guarantee job security and pay continuity without requiring new legislation during budget implementation delays.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires home medical devices like blood pressure monitors and sleep apnea machines to include nonvisual accessibility features (such as screen readers or audio feedback) so blind or low-vision users can operate them independently and safely. It sets a standard that devices must be as effective for these users as for sighted individuals, applying to Class II/III devices cleared under FDA's 510(k) process for home use. The FDA must issue proposed regulations within one year and final rules within two years of enactment, with manufacturers needing to comply one year after the final rule takes effect. Devices may qualify for waivers only if compliance would cause a "fundamental alteration" or "undue hardship" for the manufacturer, though the bill emphasizes accessibility can often be integrated without extra cost during design.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires airlines and ticket agents to issue refunds within 7 days for canceled or significantly delayed/changed flights. It directly affects travelers who experience flight disruptions and the airlines/ticket agents handling refunds. The key change replaces vague "prompt" refund language with a specific 7-day deadline after the ticket agent receives funds from the airline. This applies to all domestic and international flights covered under existing airline refund rules. The rule tightens existing requirements without creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution condemns the use of federal regulatory agencies (like the FCC) or lawsuits to suppress lawful speech critical of political parties or the President, specifically referencing concerns about tactics mirroring authoritarian practices. It does not create new laws but formally warns that such actions undermine First Amendment protections and democratic norms. The resolution directly affects media organizations, journalists, and public discourse by calling on government agencies to avoid using their power for political retaliation. It reaffirms the House’s commitment to protecting free expression and urges officials to refrain from pressuring media to silence criticism.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 22-28, 2025, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week" to honor institutions that serve Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students. It recognizes these colleges and universities as critical providers of higher education, noting they enroll 46% of AANHPI undergraduates despite comprising only 7% of U.S. institutions. The resolution emphasizes their role in supporting low-income, first-generation students and preserving cultural heritage, while calling for national recognition through community activities during the designated week. It is a symbolic gesture with no funding or policy changes attached.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pathway to permanent residency for certain college graduates who entered the U.S. as children under specific nonimmigrant visa categories (excluding H-1B, L-1, etc.). To qualify, applicants must have been lawfully present for 10 years total (including 8 years as a dependent child), graduated from a U.S. college, and not be inadmissible. It also changes how "child status" is determined for immigration purposes - using specific dates instead of age to prevent "age-outs" for dependents of long-term visa holders - and preserves priority dates for family members. These changes apply to individuals who entered the U.S. before age 21 and maintained lawful status under qualifying visas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health plans and insurers to create a clear, timely process for patients or doctors to request exceptions when step therapy protocols (which force patients to try cheaper drugs first) might harm them. It mandates approval for exceptions in six specific cases, such as when prior treatments failed, delaying care risks severe harm, or the required drug causes adverse reactions. Plans must respond within 72 hours (24 hours for emergencies) and cover the requested drug for at least one year if approved. Additionally, health plans must report annual data on exception requests, approvals, denials, and reasons to the government for transparency.