Rep. Marilyn Strickland

Maddy summaryHR 211, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, eliminates out-of-pocket costs for specific contraceptives for veterans using VA healthcare. It amends Section 1722A of Title 38 to prohibit the VA from charging veterans copayments for contraceptive items that must be covered without cost-sharing under federal law (as required by Section 2713(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act). This means veterans will not pay any amount for contraceptives covered by the federal mandate, such as birth control pills or IUDs, when obtained through the VA system. The bill directly affects veterans enrolled in VA healthcare seeking contraceptive services, ensuring no additional costs beyond what is already mandated for these items.

Maddy summaryHR 989 would turn Executive Order 11246 into law, requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to follow its equal employment nondiscrimination rules. This bill directly affects businesses working with the U.S. government by making these requirements legally binding. The key provision ensures the existing order has the full force of law, rather than being subject to executive changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to family and medical leave under the FMLA by reducing the required employment period from 12 months to 90 days for most workers. It also lowers the employer size threshold from "50 or more employees" to "1 or more employees," requiring nearly all employers to provide this leave. The changes specifically apply to private-sector workers, federal employees (covered under Title 5), and congressional staff, removing previous eligibility barriers. Key provisions include updating definitions in the FMLA and modifying federal employee leave rules to align with the 90-day requirement. This directly affects millions of workers who previously had to wait a full year for leave eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires annual health assessments for all active-duty military members beginning in 2026. It mandates specific tests including a sports physical, an annual heart test (electrocardiogram), and detailed blood work covering metabolic and blood count panels, plus optional thyroid and heart-related tests if needed. The bill also ensures these assessments include any existing health evaluations required by prior laws, such as those from the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. The policy directly affects all active-duty service members in the U.S. military.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal right to access contraception, protecting individuals' ability to obtain contraceptives and health care providers' ability to offer them without government interference. It prohibits states from banning or restricting contraceptive services, products, or information, including laws that force providers to deny care based on personal beliefs or limit access to specific methods. The law immediately overrides conflicting state regulations and ensures that contraception remains available regardless of factors like race, income, disability, or location. It applies to all individuals and providers, building on existing federal protections like the Affordable Care Act's coverage requirements.

This resolution supports federal investment in public K-12 schools, affirms that the Department of Education (ED) plays a vital role in the public education system, and states that public education funding should not be diverted (e.g., through the use of vouchers) to privately run K-12 schools.  The resolution also rejects any claim that the executive branch has the legal authority to (1) dismantle or relocate ED or any of its major offices; or (2) reduce federal funding for public education, block federal grants for education, or transfer funding burdens for education to state and local governments.

Maddy summaryHR 916, the Rosa Parks Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and sell commemorative coins (gold $5, silver $1, and half-dollar) in honor of Rosa Parks, a pivotal civil rights leader whose 1955 bus protest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The coins, to be issued in 2029, will feature designs reflecting her legacy and be sold to the public at face value plus a fixed surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar). All surcharge funds will be directed to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development to support its youth development and civil rights education programs. The bill ensures the coins are legal tender, with the Treasury recovering all costs without net government expense.

National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act or the NO BAN Act This bill imposes limitations on the President's authority to suspend or restrict aliens from entering the United States. It also prohibits religious discrimination in various immigration-related decisions, such as whether to issue an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa, unless there is a statutory basis for such discrimination. The President may temporarily restrict the entry of any aliens or class of aliens after the Department of State determines that the restriction would address specific and credible facts that threaten U.S. interests such as public safety. The bill also imposes limitations on such restrictions, such as requiring the President, State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to (1) only issue a restriction when required to address a compelling government interest, and (2) narrowly tailor the suspension to use the least restrictive means to achieve such an interest. Before imposing a restriction, the State Department and DHS shall consult with Congress. The State Department and DHS shall report to Congress about the restriction within 48 hours of the restriction's imposition. If such a report is not made, the restriction shall immediately terminate. Individuals or entities present in the United States and unlawfully harmed by such a restriction may sue in federal court. The bill transfers the authority to suspend the entry of aliens traveling to the United States on a commercial airline that failed to comply with regulations related to detecting fraudulent travel documents from the Department of Justice to DHS.

This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, in recognition of their contribution to civil rights by fighting for equality in interstate travel.

Maddy summaryHR 964, the Rosa Parks Day Act, would designate Rosa Parks Day as a legal public holiday for federal employees and institutions. The bill amends Title 5 of the U.S. Code to add "Rosa Parks Day" to the list of recognized federal holidays, following Thanksgiving Day. This change would establish a new annual observance on the day designated by the President, requiring federal offices to close and employees to receive paid time off. The bill directly affects federal operations and employees, creating a new standard for federal holiday observance.