Rep. Susie Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts access to Treasury payment systems (including the Bureau of the Fiscal Service) to only Treasury employees with a "fully successful" performance rating and at least one year of civil service, or contractors/outsiders with security clearances, required privacy/cybersecurity training, ethics agreements, and no conflicts of interest. It treats non-government users accessing these systems as government employees for ethics rules and defines specific actions (like stopping payments) as "personal and substantial participation" in government matters. The Treasury Inspector General must investigate any unauthorized access within 30 days and report to Congress, detailing the breach, security risks, and any halted payments. The bill directly affects Treasury staff, contractors, and any external entities accessing federal payment systems.

Maddy summaryHR 692, the China Exchange Rate Transparency Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Treasury Secretary to direct the U.S. representative at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to advocate for greater transparency from China regarding its exchange rate policies. Specifically, it mandates advocating for China to disclose more details about its currency management, including how its policies align with other major economies used in the IMF’s currency basket. The law expires 30 days after China meets specific transparency standards (as reported by the U.S. IMF representative) or 7 years after enactment, whichever comes first. This bill directly affects China’s engagement with the IMF and the U.S. Treasury’s role in international financial oversight.

Maddy summaryHR 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act, expands eligibility for military retirees with service-connected disabilities to receive both full retired pay and veterans' disability compensation without reduction. It specifically extends concurrent receipt authority to retirees with disability ratings below 50% (previously limited to 100% or combat-related ratings). The bill amends Title 10, U.S. Code, to define "qualified retirees" as those entitled to both retired pay (meeting service requirements) and veterans' disability compensation, removing the offset for this group. The changes apply to payments starting January 1, 2021, for affected retirees.

Maddy summaryHR 1158, the Freedom First Lend Lease Act, authorizes the U.S. President to lend or lease defense equipment to Ukraine and Eastern European countries impacted by Russia's invasion, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It specifically removes certain legal restrictions (like sections of the Foreign Assistance Act and Arms Export Control Act) that would normally apply to such assistance for Ukraine. The bill requires the President to establish expedited delivery procedures for defense articles within 60 days of enactment and mandates that any loan or lease must comply with standard return, reimbursement, and repayment requirements. This policy change directly affects U.S. foreign military assistance to these nations, streamlining support for defense capabilities and civilian protection.

Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of various crimes related to postal services (for example, assault on a postal service employee, breaking into a post office, or obstruction of mails). The bill also requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide that the assault or robbery of a postal employee shall be treated the same as the assault of a law enforcement officer. Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the USPS to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with electronic versions.

Maddy summaryHR 1046, the Marc Fischer Memorial Act, requires the Bureau of Prisons to implement digital mail scanning technology at all federal prisons to detect fentanyl and other synthetic drugs in inmate mail. It mandates a strategy within 90 days of an evaluation, including 100% scanning of all mail, digital copies of mail to inmates within 24 hours, and physical mail delivery within 30 days for non-contaminated items. The bill directly affects federal prison staff, inmates, and the Bureau of Prisons by aiming to reduce drug-related overdoses and alleviate staff workload tied to mail processing. Implementation must be completed within three years, with annual reports tracking detected drugs and strategy efficiency. The legislation focuses on concrete technological and procedural changes to enhance safety, referencing a successful pilot program at two facilities.

Maddy summaryThe CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 creates a federal grant program to fund training programs at community colleges and career schools focused on residential construction careers. It targets rural areas and underserved populations - including veterans, low-income individuals, and groups with historically low representation in construction - to develop skills in trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC. Grants, totaling $20 million annually from 2026-2030, require flexible scheduling, partnerships with construction employers, and plans to increase affordable housing supply through workforce development. The bill directly affects community colleges in rural or underserved regions and their students seeking residential construction careers.

Maddy summaryHRES 116 is a non-binding House resolution condemning pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It expresses the House's disapproval of such pardons but does not alter any laws or affect legal proceedings. The resolution has no legal force and serves only as a formal statement of disapproval by the sponsoring lawmakers. It directly addresses the pardons of specific individuals found guilty in criminal cases related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal right to access contraception, protecting individuals' ability to obtain contraceptives and health care providers' ability to offer them without government interference. It prohibits states from banning or restricting contraceptive services, products, or information, including laws that force providers to deny care based on personal beliefs or limit access to specific methods. The law immediately overrides conflicting state regulations and ensures that contraception remains available regardless of factors like race, income, disability, or location. It applies to all individuals and providers, building on existing federal protections like the Affordable Care Act's coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 835, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act, provides a one-time federal grant of $5-10 million to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum (operated by an IRS 501(c)(3) organization) for its operations, security, and maintenance. The bill requires the museum to offer free admission to veterans, first responders, and victims' families, plus weekly free public hours, and mandates annual financial audits and public reporting to Congress. Grant funds must be used to preserve the site, educate visitors, and increase access for economically disadvantaged groups. The funding is subject to annual appropriations and does not authorize ongoing federal support beyond the one-time grant.