Rep. Becca Balint

Maddy summaryThis resolution requires the House of Representatives to hold daily meetings and recorded attendance checks during government shutdowns. Members must electronically confirm their presence each day via a "quorum call," with fines of $500 for a first offense and $2,500 for repeat failures. Fines cannot be paid using campaign or official funds, and the rules apply to all House members, including delegates and the Resident Commissioner. The bill aims to ensure continuous House operations during shutdowns but does not alter the cause or duration of shutdowns.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the USDA's 502 housing loan program to make it easier for rural homeowners to transfer properties with existing loans. It allows qualified buyers to assume a guaranteed loan when purchasing a property, releasing the original borrower from liability and transferring the loan's obligations to the new owner. The changes apply to loans guaranteed under the program after the bill's enactment, directly affecting rural homeowners and buyers in USDA loan programs. The bill also permits servicers to charge fees for transaction costs related to these loan assumptions.

Maddy summaryHR 5673, titled "Stop the Trump Electricity Price Hikes Act," would reinstate financial assistance awards terminated by the Department of Energy under a May 15, 2025, secretarial memorandum. It directly affects recipients of these awards - likely energy or infrastructure projects - that had their funding cut, by restoring their financial support as if the terminations never occurred. The key mechanism requires the Department to treat all such terminated awards as valid and continuing, overriding prior termination actions. This bill does not address electricity pricing, consumer rates, or introduce new energy regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Medicare coverage for multi-cancer early detection screening tests (blood or biological tests analyzing cell-free DNA) starting January 1, 2028. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries aged 68 and older (starting in 2028, with the age limit increasing by 1 year annually), requiring tests to be FDA-cleared and deemed reasonable/necessary by the Secretary for early cancer detection across multiple organ sites. Payment will initially match current stool DNA test rates before 2031, then shift to a lower rate or new payment system after 2031, with limits preventing more than one test per year. The bill explicitly states it does not alter coverage for existing cancer screenings like breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer tests.

Maddy summaryHRES 773 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) honoring the principle of separation of church and state. It commemorates the 65th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s 1960 speech to the Houston Ministerial Association and the 150th anniversary of President Ulysses S. Grant’s 1875 speech, both emphasizing government neutrality in religious matters. The resolution affirms the constitutional separation of church and state as a core American value and opposes "extreme right-wing Christian nationalism," though it does not create new policies or affect any specific group. As a non-binding statement, it has no legal effect but expresses the House’s position on religious freedom.

Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 This bill provides back pay to employees of federal contractors who lost pay due to a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) in FY2026. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies that are subject to a lapse in appropriations in FY2026 to adjust the price of contracts to compensate federal contractors for providing back pay to employees who were affected by the lapse in appropriations.  The agencies must adjust the price of any contract for which the contractor stopped, suspended, delayed, or interrupted all or part of the work under the contract due to the lapse in appropriations. The price adjustment must compensate the contractor for reasonable costs incurred to (1) compensate employees who were furloughed or laid off, were not working, or experienced a reduction of hours or compensation due to the lapse in appropriations; or (2) restore paid leave taken by employees during the lapse in appropriations if the contractor required or permitted employees to use paid leave as a result of the lapse in appropriations. The maximum amount of weekly compensation of an employee for which an adjustment may be made under this bill may not exceed the lesser of (1) the employee's actual weekly compensation, or (2) $1,442 (or a lesser amount pro-rated for an employee who works less than 40 hours per week). The bill also requires the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to submit a report to Congress on the adjustments made under this bill.

Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2025 This bill expands certain health professional programs and Medicare covered services to include physical therapists. Specifically, the bill expands the National Health Service Corps to include physical therapists and provides for the designation of specific health professional target areas for physical therapists under the program. The bill also expands covered services of rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers under Medicare to include physical therapy services. The bill increases funds for FY2025 for the corps and requires a certain amount of funds to be used for student loan repayments for participating physical therapists in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 770) is a symbolic statement expressing the House's support for "Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Day" observed on September 25. It directly affirms the House's commitment to military sexual trauma (MST) survivors - impacting both women and men in the military - by highlighting the need to reduce stigma and improve support systems. The resolution encourages the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs to expand access to MST-related services and promote transparency in handling cases, but it does not create new laws or funding. As a non-binding resolution, it serves only to formally acknowledge the issue and encourage existing agencies to prioritize survivor care.

Maddy summaryHRES 764 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing persistent disparities in mental health access and treatment for Black youth. It cites alarming statistics, including a 149% rise in suicide rates among Black adolescents (2007-2023) and higher rates of suicide attempts among Black high school students. The resolution calls on the current administration to continue previous efforts addressing these disparities, incorporate recommendations from the Congressional Black Caucus’s "Ring the Alarm" report, and protect the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as an independent agency. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the crisis and a request for policy continuity.

Maddy summaryThis resolution condemns the use of federal regulatory agencies (like the FCC) or lawsuits to suppress lawful speech critical of political parties or the President, specifically referencing concerns about tactics mirroring authoritarian practices. It does not create new laws but formally warns that such actions undermine First Amendment protections and democratic norms. The resolution directly affects media organizations, journalists, and public discourse by calling on government agencies to avoid using their power for political retaliation. It reaffirms the House’s commitment to protecting free expression and urges officials to refrain from pressuring media to silence criticism.