Maddy summaryThe GRACE for Military Survivors Act extends the deadline for contributing military death benefits to Roth IRAs and Coverdell education savings accounts from one year to three years. This change directly benefits families of service members who receive these death benefits, giving them more time to save for retirement or education. The law applies to benefits received after the bill is enacted and includes a special rule allowing contributions made within a specific window for benefits received between 2001 and the enactment date. By amending the Internal Revenue Code, the bill ensures that eligible funds can be deposited into these tax-advantaged accounts without losing their value due to time limits.
Rep. Dina Titus
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to individuals who fought for or with the United States in the Pacific theater during World War II and subsequently became prisoners of war. The legislation specifically recognizes the service and sacrifice of those who defended locations such as Bataan and Corregidor, including Filipino soldiers and civilians who served alongside U.S. forces. To implement this award, the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate will arrange for the creation of a gold medal by the Secretary of the Treasury, which will be presented to the Smithsonian Institution for display. The act also allows for the production of duplicate bronze medals to cover the costs of the original gold medals, with any proceeds from these sales deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
Maddy summaryThe Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop better methods for measuring energy and water use in data centers, including those running artificial intelligence models. This research program aims to create standardized definitions and reporting guidelines that account for different power systems, cooling setups, and varying workload demands. The bill also requires the agency to coordinate with industry experts and international partners to establish global standards while sharing data to improve future energy demand forecasts. To support these efforts, the legislation authorizes $10 million in funding for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to help states and tribal governments improve their licensing systems for firearms dealers. To qualify for funding, a state must have laws requiring dealers to hold licenses valid for no more than three years, complete an application process, and allow for inspections with penalties for noncompliance. The Attorney General will award up to $2.5 million per year on a competitive basis to eligible applicants who submit detailed plans for developing or improving their programs. Recipients must provide annual reports on inspection numbers, violations, and license status, while the Attorney General must report grant details and denial reasons to Congress.
Maddy summaryThe SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026 strengthens protections for veterans by imposing stricter penalties on individuals who charge unauthorized fees for helping with benefits claims and requiring that only accredited representatives or those under their supervision provide such assistance. Key provisions include creating an online searchable list of recognized and suspended agents, mandating warnings on Department websites about potential predatory practices, and adding questions to claim forms to identify anyone who charged fees for coaching or filing assistance. The bill also updates federal laws to prohibit the use of automated telephone equipment for making repeated calls to federal agencies and requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a more accessible digital system for recognizing representatives and processing complaints. Additionally, the Department must conduct a review of its current regulations regarding representation and report its findings to Congress within 180 days of the law's enactment.
Maddy summaryThe Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2026 updates the Air Carrier Access Act to strengthen protections for individuals with disabilities who travel by air. It directly affects passengers with disabilities, service animal handlers, and air carriers by establishing new rules for handling specific violations. The bill allows aggrieved passengers to file civil lawsuits in federal court without first exhausting administrative remedies and permits courts to award compensatory and punitive damages. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Transportation refer cases involving patterns of discrimination to the Attorney General for further legal action.
Maddy summaryThe EDUCATE Act of 2026 directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to create a grant program for universities to research marijuana cultivation and processing, with a specific focus on soil health, sustainability, and economic opportunities for minority farmers. This legislation also establishes a scholarship program to support students pursuing careers in marijuana agriculture and requires that at least 25% of the research funding be reserved for Hispanic-serving institutions. To encourage participation, the bill includes protections ensuring that institutions and individuals conducting federally authorized marijuana research cannot face denial of benefits or federal prosecution solely for their work. The program is authorized for five years, with $5 million allocated annually for research grants and $100,000 annually for scholarships, and recipients must agree to comply with all applicable federal laws regarding marijuana.
Maddy summaryThe Keeping Pets and Families Together Act authorizes $5 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to fund cooperative agreements between the USDA and state or local animal shelters. These funds would support microchipping programs for dogs and cats in care at public pounds, private humane societies, and contracted organizations before the animals are adopted or transferred. The legislation requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report by December 31, 2030, evaluating the program's effectiveness and recommending whether to extend it.
Maddy summaryThe Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2026 establishes a program to allow noncitizen veterans who were previously removed from or barred from entering the United States to return and obtain permanent resident status. It requires government officials to reopen and terminate removal cases for eligible veterans, provided they were not deported due to violent crimes or serious offenses involving at least five years in prison. The bill also mandates that noncitizen service members and veterans cannot be removed unless convicted of a crime of violence, while granting them access to military benefits and a streamlined path to naturalization. Additionally, the law directs immigration authorities to identify at-risk veterans, seek supervisory approval before initiating removal proceedings against them, and annotate official records with specific details about their military service.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution to guarantee the right to vote for all citizens of legal voting age in their place of residence. It requires states to allow voters to register and cast ballots on election day and mandates that Congress set national standards for how elections are administered. The amendment permits only narrowly tailored rules to protect election integrity and gives Congress the authority to pass laws enforcing these new voting rights.