Rep. Becca Balint

Maddy summaryThe College for All Act of 2025 would eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students at public community colleges and 4-year institutions through a federal-state partnership. The federal government would cover 100% of costs in the first year (2026-2027), gradually decreasing to 80% by 2030-2031, while states would start with 0% and increase to 20% by 2030-2031. Eligible students would include those with family income below $150,000 for single parents or $300,000 for married parents, regardless of immigration status. The bill also includes requirements to maintain instruction funding, improve transfer pathways between community colleges and 4-year institutions, and provide additional support for students after tuition elimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish 18-year fixed terms for all Supreme Court justices, replacing lifetime appointments. It requires the President to nominate one justice every two years (during first and third years after presidential elections), with Senate confirmation within 90 days, and prohibits reappointments after a single term. Current justices would be phased out in order of seniority as new justices are appointed under this schedule. The bill directly affects all sitting and future Supreme Court justices by mandating term limits and a structured appointment process.

Maddy summaryHR 3534, the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act of 2025, creates a federal program to increase the number of school-based mental health professionals. It provides federal matching funds - covering up to 50% of tuition and fees for eligible students - in partnership with graduate schools offering accredited programs in school counseling, psychology, or social work. Participating graduate institutions must match federal contributions, and priority is given to students who received Federal Pell Grants or attended specific institutions as undergraduates. The program directly affects graduate students training to become licensed school mental health providers, aiming to expand the workforce serving K-12 schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, requiring them to disclose gifts, income, and potential conflicts of interest. It creates a formal process for handling complaints about justices, including a judicial investigation panel to review allegations. The bill adds specific circumstances requiring recusal, such as when a justice or family member has financial ties to a party in a case. Additionally, it mandates that parties and amicus briefs disclose any gifts given to justices and lobbying activities related to their nomination. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in the Supreme Court's operations.

Maddy summaryThe AGRITOURISM Act (HR 3470) creates a new Office of Agritourism within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support farm-based tourism businesses. The Office, led by a Director appointed by the Secretary, will coordinate USDA programs and provide technical assistance to help small and family-run farms diversify income through activities like farm tours, on-farm sales, accommodations, and farm-related events. It will update USDA programs to reflect best practices, share resources with agritourism businesses, and facilitate partnerships to promote rural economic development. This bill directly affects rural agricultural businesses and the USDA’s approach to fostering sustainable tourism in rural communities.

Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a grant program to support operating projects for public transportation and related service improvements, particularly in underserved communities and areas of persistent poverty. Specifically, the bill requires DOT to allocate funding under the program for urbanized areas, states, and Indian tribes that are recipients of funds under either the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) Urbanized Area Formula Funding program or Formula Grants for Rural Areas program. Eligible recipients may use funding for operating costs associated with projects that improve public transportation service for transit-dependent populations and support increased transit ridership (e.g., service expansion, information technology enhancements, and workforce development). DOT must apportion the funding so that recipients receive funds that are proportional to their share of operating costs. The bill also provides for an increased federal cost share for operating assistance for projects or programs carried out in areas of persistent poverty or underserved communities. DOT must set up a multimodal access measurement interface for public agencies to aid transit agencies in determining and reporting on access to jobs and essential services. A grant recipient must (1) report specific information to the FTA for inclusion in the National Transit Database, and (2) survey transit riders and non-riding residents regarding transit service improvements. Further, the bill expands the purposes of the public transportation programs to include supporting public transportation's role in combating climate change through growing/retaining transit ridership.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores a tax deduction for personal losses caused by disasters, crimes, or scams (like stolen property or damage from hurricanes). It directly affects taxpayers who filed returns before 2025 but couldn’t claim this deduction due to a prior suspension. The bill reinstates the deduction and extends the deadline to file refund claims for these losses until the tax filing deadline for the year the bill becomes law. This allows eligible individuals to claim refunds they were previously barred from receiving.

Maddy summaryHRES 410 is a non-binding House resolution requiring President Trump to comply with the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause regarding a $400 million Boeing 747-8 jet gift from Qatar’s royal family. It directs the President to immediately submit all plans for the aircraft to Congress and obtain explicit congressional consent before accepting it, as required by the Constitution. The resolution cites historical precedent where all prior presidents sought Congress’s approval for foreign gifts, including items like medals, horses, and the Statue of Liberty. It emphasizes that accepting the jet without consent would violate the Constitution and pose national security risks. The bill focuses solely on procedural compliance, not the merits of the gift itself.

Maddy summaryHR 3368, the "Born in the USA Act of 2025," prohibits federal funding for Executive Order 14160 (which aimed to restrict birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S.). The bill directly affects federal agencies that might implement the executive order by blocking their use of funds for that purpose. Its key provision is a funding ban targeting the executive order and any similar future policies, without changing citizenship law. The bill does not alter birthright citizenship rights but prevents federal resources from being used to enforce the controversial executive order. It is a procedural measure focused on funding, not a substantive policy change to citizenship rules.

Maddy summaryHR 3367, the "Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2025," requires school food service workers in public schools to receive mandatory training during paid working hours. The bill mandates that training must be offered in-person when appropriate, include hands-on practice, and cost workers nothing. If training occurs outside regular hours, workers must be paid at their regular rate (including overtime), consulted about scheduling, and protected from penalties for not attending. This law amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and does not override existing state or local labor laws governing employer-employee relationships.