Rep. Mike Carey

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Act requires Medicare to cover falls risk assessments and fall prevention services for seniors aged 65+ who have fallen in the previous year. These services, provided by physical or occupational therapists, will be included in Medicare's annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical exams starting January 1, 2026. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress beginning in 2027 on falls among seniors aged 65+ that required treatment for fall-related injuries. This policy directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with a documented history of falls by adding targeted preventive care to their covered benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the additional standard deduction for seniors aged 65 or older from $600 to $5,000 for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. It also requires annual inflation adjustments to the $5,000 amount starting in 2026, using the cost-of-living adjustment formula. The change directly affects seniors filing taxes who qualify for the standard deduction, lowering their taxable income. The provision applies to all eligible seniors regardless of income level or filing status.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands 529 college savings account flexibility by allowing funds to cover costs for industry-recognized postsecondary credentials, not just traditional degrees. It defines "qualified expenses" to include tuition/fees for recognized credential programs (like certifications or apprenticeships), required testing fees, and continuing education needed to maintain credentials. To qualify, programs must meet specific criteria, such as appearing on state lists under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or being listed in VA or Defense directories. The change applies to 529 distributions made after the law's enactment, giving families more options to use these accounts for job-focused training.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing federal grant programs (Byrne and COPS grants) to allow local law enforcement agencies to use these funds for purchasing and operating drones specifically for public safety purposes. It does not create new funding but expands the eligible uses of current grant money to include unmanned aircraft systems (drones) as defined in existing federal law. The bill directly affects state and local police departments receiving these federal grants by giving them a new option for public safety technology. The key provision simply adds drone-related purchases and operations to the list of approved grant expenditures under two established programs.

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 summaryThis bill permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC), a federal tax incentive that encourages private investment in low-income communities. It directly affects community development entities (CDEs) that channel capital into underserved neighborhoods for projects like housing, healthcare, and businesses. Key provisions include permanently extending the credit beyond 2025, adding annual inflation adjustments to the credit amount starting in 2026, and ensuring the credit isn't reduced by the alternative minimum tax for investments made after December 2024. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 2024, providing long-term stability for community development financing.

Maddy summaryHR 1102 establishes a commission to study the feasibility of creating a National Museum of Italian American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The commission, composed of 8 members appointed by congressional leaders, will examine factors like location options, costs, fundraising potential, and impacts on existing museums, and must report back within 18 months. It will not create the museum itself but will develop recommendations for Congress on whether to proceed, with all funding coming from private sources - no federal funds may be used for the commission’s work. The bill focuses solely on the study process, not on building or operating the museum.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 990, SAFE Act) prevents tax penalties for individual taxpayers who pay 125% of their prior year's income tax liability by the due date for their current year tax return. It directly affects individual taxpayers who file returns on time and have paid tax on a full 12-month prior year. The key provision allows taxpayers to avoid penalties for late payment if they meet these specific conditions, but the relief does not apply if they fail to file a return, didn’t file for the prior year, or if the prior year was less than 12 months. The bill amends tax code provisions to create this specific penalty exception for eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 1007, the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025, clarifies how the Department of Education enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to address discrimination against Jewish individuals. It requires the Department to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating complaints involving discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics. This affects Jewish students and communities in K-12 schools and colleges receiving federal funding, as it ensures antisemitism is assessed under existing civil rights protections. The bill does not create new laws but specifies that the IHRA definition - already used by the Department since 2018 - must be applied in Title VI enforcement cases.