Maddy summaryThe Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to fund library services in state and territorial correctional facilities, directly benefiting incarcerated individuals. It requires grantees (states/territories) to submit plans demonstrating need, including demographic data on prison populations, and prohibits using funds for non-library purposes like food or facility maintenance. Grant funds must support library services such as digital access, educational programming (including job training and post-secondary curriculum), literacy initiatives, and partnerships with public libraries. The program authorizes $10 million annually from 2026-2031, prioritizes measurable outcomes like increased literacy and post-release employment opportunities, and mandates free access to all library resources for incarcerated people.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHRES 375 is a symbolic resolution designating May 2025 as "Renewable Fuels Month" to recognize renewable fuels' role in reducing carbon emissions, lowering consumer fuel prices, supporting rural economies, and decreasing reliance on foreign energy sources. The resolution expresses the House's support for this designation without creating new laws or funding. It highlights renewable fuels' economic contributions (e.g., jobs, GDP impact) and environmental benefits as context for the recognition, but does not alter existing policies. As a non-binding resolution, it has no direct legal effect on consumers, industries, or government programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax exclusion allowing eligible law enforcement officers to exclude up to $100,000 of their ordinary income from taxable income each year. To qualify, officers must have worked full-time as law enforcement for at least 5 cumulative years and earn up to $100,000 annually. It covers police, corrections officers, probation/parole officers, sheriffs, deputies, and school resource officers. The exclusion applies to the first $100,000 of ordinary income earned during a taxable year. The provision takes effect after the bill's enactment.
Maddy summaryHR 7199, the Gerald’s Law Act, expands burial benefits for veterans who die at home while receiving VA hospice care. It adds a new eligibility category allowing burial allowances for veterans who were in VA hospice care at home *only if* they previously received VA hospital or nursing home care. The bill amends existing law to include this scenario under the veterans' burial allowance program. This change directly affects veterans receiving VA hospice care at home after prior VA facility-based care, ensuring they qualify for burial benefits similar to those who die in VA facilities. The policy change takes effect as if included in the 2020 Veterans Health Care Act.
Maddy summaryThe Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026 directs the Health Resources and Services Administration to study how to better identify areas with insufficient general surgeons, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The study will evaluate current shortage designations and test a new methodology using hospital service areas and surgeon-to-population ratios to set accurate thresholds for shortage levels (e.g., critical shortage, adequate supply). Within one year, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress and publish data on surgeon availability, with annual updates to any designated shortage areas. This process aims to improve the accuracy of shortage identification to inform future resource allocation for surgical care access.
Maddy summaryThe MOLD Act (HR 7188) establishes uniform health and safety standards for military housing managed by private contractors, directly affecting approximately 700,000 service members and their families living in privatized housing across 78 developments. It requires the Defense Secretary to set enforceable limits on indoor humidity (below 50%), mandate third-party inspections after tenant complaints or unit turnover, and hold contractors fully responsible for mold remediation, relocation costs, and property damage. The bill also mandates public reporting of complaints, inspection results, and remediation timelines, and requires contractors to use certified professionals for mold assessments. These provisions aim to reduce mold-related health risks and improve accountability in privatized military housing.
Maddy summaryHR 7178, the U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026, requires enhanced U.S.-Israel cooperation to counter Iranian unmanned systems. The bill directs the U.S. and Israel to jointly develop, test, and deploy counter-drone technologies through their existing Operations Technology-Working Group, including sharing threat intelligence and conducting joint training. It increases annual funding for this cooperation from $55 million to $100 million and mandates detailed annual reports to Congress on progress, threat assessments, and the adequacy of current counter-drone capabilities. The bill directly affects U.S. and Israeli military forces by accelerating joint efforts to address threats from Iran-origin drones targeting U.S. allies and military assets in the Middle East.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award Frank Siller a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his founding of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The foundation supports first responders, military families, and veterans through programs like mortgage assistance, veteran housing, and homelessness support. The medal would be designed and struck by the U.S. Mint, with bronze duplicates sold to cover costs. It is a purely commemorative honor with no policy or funding changes beyond the medal production and sales. The bill directly affects Frank Siller as the recipient of this symbolic tribute.
Maddy summaryThe AI OVERWATCH Act requires U.S. exporters to obtain a license for sending certain high-performance integrated circuits (defined by specific technical specifications like processing power or bandwidth) to countries designated as "concerns," including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Before approving such licenses, the Commerce Department must submit detailed certifications to Congress, including assurances the export won’t support military/intelligence capabilities of the recipient country and won’t harm U.S. semiconductor availability or AI leadership. The bill also creates an exemption for U.S. companies meeting strict security and ownership standards ("trusted United States persons") to export these chips to non-target countries without a license. Additionally, it mandates a national security strategy assessing how such exports affect U.S. AI competitiveness, particularly regarding China’s semiconductor production and capabilities.
Maddy summaryHR 3307, the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, directs the U.S. government to prioritize diplomatic and security cooperation with Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel to support their role as a strategic gateway for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The bill requires the Secretary of State to institutionalize strategic dialogues with these countries, prioritize energy and defense cooperation in the region, and submit annual reports on implementation and multilateral initiatives. It also mandates studies on expanding U.S. bilateral programs (like those with Israel) to include Eastern Mediterranean partners and analyzing the Cyprus security center as a model. The bill does not create new funding but guides existing U.S. policy and coordination efforts.