Rep. Marc A. Veasey

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $5 million annually (2026-2030) to states for collecting de-identified stillbirth data through existing health systems, including risk factor analysis. It also provides $1 million yearly to develop standardized guidelines for healthcare providers and public educational materials about stillbirths, requiring consultation with medical professionals, bereavement organizations, and affected families. The bill mandates that all data collection complies with privacy laws and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish a public report on stillbirth guidelines within five years. It directly affects state health departments, healthcare providers, and families experiencing stillbirth by improving data quality and access to resources.

Maddy summaryThe Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2025 requires U.S. colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to create and distribute clear anti-harassment policies covering harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, or religion. These policies must explicitly prohibit harassment in all settings - including online, on campus, off-campus housing, and during school-sponsored activities - and outline reporting procedures and support services for victims. The bill also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund schools developing prevention programs, victim support services, or staff/student training on recognizing and addressing harassment. Grants are competitive, require annual reporting on effectiveness, and must be used to improve existing efforts without replacing existing civil rights laws like Title IX.

Maddy summaryThe Redistricting Reform Act of 2025 requires states to use independent redistricting commissions for congressional redistricting, banning partisan gerrymandering and requiring plans to comply with constitutional and Voting Rights Act standards. The bill establishes ranked criteria for redistricting, prioritizing population equality, voting rights protections, and community preservation over partisan advantage. It mandates multi-partisan commission composition with public input and transparency requirements, with states facing court-developed plans if they miss deadlines. The law would apply to redistricting after the 2030 census, affecting all 50 states' congressional district maps.

Maddy summaryHR 5454, the Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act, requires Medicare Advantage plans to pay 95% of valid claims (with complete data) within 14 days for electronic claims or 30 days for paper claims, starting January 1, 2027. Plans that miss these deadlines must pay interest at standard government rates and face $25,000 civil penalties per violation. The bill also mandates annual reports showing payment rates for in-network versus out-of-network claims and interest paid. This directly affects Medicare Advantage insurers and healthcare providers (like doctors and hospitals) who bill these plans.

Maddy summaryHRES 729 is a symbolic resolution designating September 17, 2025, as "Constitution Day" to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution's signing (September 17, 1787). It does not create new laws or affect any specific group; instead, it urges the American public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities. The resolution emphasizes the Constitution's historical significance and its role in establishing American democracy. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding effect on policy or governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline to establish a dedicated "Press 3" option (via IVR) for LGBTQ+ youth seeking crisis support, directly affecting LGBTQ+ youth who face a four times higher suicide risk than peers. It mandates that at least 9% of funds allocated for the lifeline's services be reserved specifically for these specialized LGBTQ+ youth services. The bill amends existing law to formalize this dedicated resource, building on current services that handled over 1.5 million contacts from LGBTQ+ youth in 2025. This creates a concrete policy change for accessing tailored crisis support without altering other lifeline operations.

Maddy summaryHRES 720 is a symbolic resolution expressing congressional support for designating September 2025 as "African Diaspora Heritage Month." It does not create legal requirements or allocate funding but encourages public observation through ceremonies and programs. The resolution highlights the African diaspora’s economic contributions (e.g., $24 billion in federal taxes in 2021), cultural diversity, and historical significance to U.S. society. It urges local governments to recognize the month and affirms that the diaspora’s contributions enrich American history and national identity. This is a non-binding gesture focused on recognition, not policy change.

Maddy summaryHR 5401, the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026, ensures military personnel, civilian Defense workers, and supporting contractors receive pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2026. It appropriates emergency funds for active-duty service members, reserves, and their supporting personnel (including Coast Guard staff under DHS) if regular appropriations aren't enacted by the end of the fiscal year. The bill provides necessary pay and allowances during any period when full-year funding is unavailable, covering both active service and support roles. Funding expires when regular appropriations are passed, a funding resolution is enacted, or January 1, 2027, whichever comes first. This is a procedural measure to prevent pay delays for military and support staff during fiscal year 2026 funding lapses.

Maddy summaryThe FAMILY Act would establish a national paid family and medical leave insurance program that provides wage replacement benefits for workers needing time off for caregiving or medical reasons. It defines "qualified caregiving" to include caring for a family member with a serious health condition, personal medical needs, or recovery from violence (including domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking). Benefits would be calculated based on earnings, with a minimum monthly benefit of $580 and maximum of $4,000, administered by a new Office of Paid Family and Medical Leave within the Social Security Administration. Eligible individuals would need to have worked for at least 8 quarters in the previous year and file an application with required documentation, while existing state paid leave programs would continue to operate alongside this federal program.

Maddy summaryThe George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2025 would establish a National Police Misconduct Registry to track officer complaints, disciplinary actions, and misconduct records across all law enforcement agencies. It would require law enforcement agencies to implement body-worn camera programs with specific recording and retention policies, ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants in drug cases, and reform qualified immunity to make it easier to hold officers accountable for misconduct. The bill mandates comprehensive data collection on use of force incidents, requiring agencies to report detailed information about stops, searches, and force used, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and other demographics. These provisions would directly affect all Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies that receive federal grant funding, with requirements for policy changes, training, and data reporting.