Rep. Marilyn Strickland

Maddy summaryHR 4212, the SHADE Act, establishes a federal grant program to plant trees in historically underserved urban areas. It directly affects cities and communities in "redlined areas" (low-income neighborhoods historically denied loans) or "intra-urban heat islands" (city zones with high temperatures and low tree cover). The bill authorizes $50 million annually (2026-2036) for grants to states, local governments, tribes, or qualifying nonprofits to fund tree planting, maintenance for 5 years, and community engagement plans. Grants prioritize projects that avoid displacing residents and require planting non-invasive tree species suited to the local environment.

Maddy summaryHR 4167, the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act, amends the Federal Credit Union Act to extend the maximum time federally chartered credit unions can hold mortgage loans from 15 years to 20 years (or longer by NCUA regulation). This change directly affects federally chartered credit unions by allowing them to offer longer-term mortgage products to members. The key provision modifies Section 107(5) of the Federal Credit Union Act, specifically updating the time limit for mortgage loans held by credit unions. The bill also includes a non-binding sense of Congress statement emphasizing safety and soundness in NCUA oversight, but the core policy change is the extended mortgage holding period.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits defendants in federal criminal cases from using a victim's LGBTQ identity (sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression) as a defense to excuse or reduce punishment for violent crimes. It amends federal law to ban arguments that claim a "nonviolent sexual advance" or inaccurate perception of someone's LGBTQ status justified the defendant's actions. The law allows limited admission of past trauma evidence under standard federal rules but requires the Attorney General to annually report on federal prosecutions involving bias-motivated violence against LGBTQ individuals. This directly affects defendants in federal court cases where such defenses were previously used, aiming to end the practice of treating LGBTQ victims' identities as justification for violence.

Maddy summaryHR 4150, the Advancing Maternal Health Equity Under Medicaid Act, increases federal Medicaid funding for states that expand maternal health services. It requires states to spend more on specific maternal care (like prenatal/postpartum visits, telehealth, home visits, and mental health support) than they did in 2019, with the federal government covering 90% of the additional cost starting in 2025. The bill directly affects pregnant and postpartum individuals covered by Medicaid by expanding access to defined maternal health services. States must use the extra funds to improve service quality and capacity without reducing existing state funding for these services.

Maddy summaryThe Women's Health Protection Act of 2025 would protect access to abortion services across the United States by prohibiting states from imposing restrictions that are more burdensome than those on comparable medical procedures. The bill directly affects people seeking abortion care and health care providers by banning restrictions such as mandatory in-person visits, requirements for specific tests, limitations on telemedicine, and rules based on a patient's reason for seeking abortion. It prohibits state laws that single out abortion for unnecessary restrictions while allowing post-viability abortions when necessary to protect a patient's life or health. The bill preempts conflicting state laws and provides enforcement mechanisms through private lawsuits and actions by the Attorney General.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state officials from blocking abortion access for patients traveling from other states, including restricting providers who offer legal abortions in their state to out-of-state patients. It protects people traveling across state lines for legal abortions, those assisting such travel, and the interstate transport of FDA-approved abortion medication. Violations can be challenged by the Justice Department or affected individuals through civil lawsuits seeking injunctions and damages. The law applies broadly across all states, territories, and tribal nations, defining "abortion service" to include both medical procedures and related care.

Maddy summaryHR 4104 would expand access to Medicaid, CHIP, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) health coverage for immigrants lawfully present in the U.S., including those with deferred action or pending immigration applications. It removes state-level barriers to Medicaid/CHIP eligibility for lawfully present individuals, treats Federally authorized presence as "lawfully present" for ACA subsidies, and allows states to choose to cover undocumented individuals through Medicaid or CHIP. The bill also extends these changes to Medicare Part A and Part B, ensuring lawfully present immigrants qualify for coverage and subsidies under existing programs. These provisions apply to all federally funded health programs and take effect in 2026 for most ACA-related changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates federal funding for community-based violence intervention programs in high-violence areas, targeting communities with 35+ homicides annually or 20+ homicides with rates double the national average. It establishes grants for community organizations to implement trauma-informed violence interruption strategies, hospital-based programs for injured patients, and job training for "opportunity youth" (16-25 year olds not in school or work). The legislation authorizes $300 million in 2026, increasing to $700 million annually through 2033, with requirements for evidence-based approaches that reduce violence without contributing to mass incarceration. It creates a National Community Violence Response Center to coordinate data collection, research, and best practices for these programs. The focus is on prevention through economic opportunity, trauma care, and community-driven interventions rather than traditional law enforcement approaches.

Maddy summaryHR 2225, the Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act, modifies how investment companies report fees related to business development companies (BDCs). It allows registered investment companies to exclude fees paid indirectly to BDCs (which primarily invest in small businesses) from their "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" calculation on SEC registration statements. This change simplifies reporting for investment companies holding BDC shares by removing those specific fees from expense calculations. The bill directly affects investment companies filing SEC forms (N-1A, N-2, N-3) that hold BDC investments, potentially reducing their reported expense ratios. It does not create new funding for small businesses but aims to streamline investment in BDCs by easing reporting burdens.

Maddy summaryThe Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 increases monthly dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of veterans. It changes the calculation method from a fixed $1,154 to 55% of a specific veteran compensation rate, effective six months after enactment. The bill also reduces the required continuous disability rating period for survivors from 10 years to 5 years, and provides a proportional payment for cases where the rating period is shorter than 10 years. Surviving spouses of veterans who died before January 1, 1993, receive the greater of their current benefit or the new calculation. This directly affects surviving spouses eligible for benefits under Title 38, U.S. Code, particularly those with veterans who died prior to 1993.