Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal gun law to clarify what constitutes a "State of residence" for gun purchasers traveling across state lines. It defines "State of residence" to include a person's actual home state, a military member's duty station state (or commute home), or a mailbox state for those without a physical residence. The bill requires background checks to include either a physical address or a mailbox address on transfer forms. This directly affects gun buyers traveling between states, particularly military personnel and individuals without fixed homes, by allowing them to use their "state of residence" address for background checks instead of the state they're visiting. The change modifies how federal background checks verify a purchaser's residence.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 892) amends Section 6107 of Title 38, U.S. Code, to improve how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) handles misused benefits. It requires the VA to reissue misused benefits to veterans (or their successor guardians) when a guardian (fiduciary) improperly uses their payments, and to make good-faith efforts to recover those funds from the misusing guardian. If a veteran dies before receiving reissued benefits, the VA must pay the amount to the appropriate beneficiary under existing law, but not to the misusing guardian. The law ensures veterans directly affected by fiduciary misuse receive the full amount misused, with no additional payment beyond the original misused benefit.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases monthly payments to surviving spouses of veterans by changing how the amount is calculated. Instead of a fixed dollar amount ($1,154), payments will equal 55% of the current monthly compensation rate for veterans' disability benefits (section 1114(j)). It also includes a special provision ensuring survivors whose veterans died before January 1, 1993, receive the higher of the old payment amount or the new 55% calculation. The bill directly affects surviving spouses of veterans who qualify for dependency and indemnity compensation.
Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from transmitting certain information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) utilized by licensed importers or dealers of firearms. Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from transmitting personally identifying information of a veteran or a beneficiary to the NICS solely on the basis that such veteran or beneficiary has an appointed fiduciary to manage their benefits, unless there is an order or finding of a judicial authority that such veteran or beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others.
Maddy summaryThe Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025 establishes new rules for disciplining VA supervisors and management officials (excluding senior executives and political appointees) for poor performance or misconduct. It requires the VA Secretary to use specific, written criteria - like the offense's severity, the employee's role, and past record - when deciding on removal, demotion, or suspension, and mandates decisions within 15 business days. The bill creates an internal grievance process for affected employees and strengthens whistleblower protections by requiring Special Counsel approval before disciplining someone who disclosed wrongdoing. It also limits judicial review to cases of arbitrary or capricious decisions and explicitly prohibits courts from reducing penalties. The law applies to VA employees covered under the bill's definition, effective from the 2017 VA Accountability Act's enactment date.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the 2022 Camp Lejeune Justice Act to clarify and improve legal procedures for individuals exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. It updates the required proof of harm to include "latent or potential harm" and lowers the minimum required presence at Camp Lejeune from 30 consecutive days to any 30 days. The bill also specifies that cases must be filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina (with optional transfer to the 4th Circuit), mandates jury trials upon request, and sets attorney fee caps at 20% for pre-litigation settlements and 25% for cases filed after litigation begins. It directly affects individuals filing claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act for health issues linked to water contamination.
Maddy summarySCONRES 8 is a Senate concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act. It urges Congress not to impose a new fee or charge on local radio stations for playing music over the air, or on businesses like bars and restaurants that play radio broadcasts publicly. The resolution argues that such a fee would disrupt the current system where radio stations provide free promotional support to the music industry and essential local services like emergency weather updates. It claims the existing model has fostered a thriving music and broadcasting sector without harming small businesses or consumers. This resolution does not create law but expresses congressional support for maintaining the current fee-free system.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to create a strategy to increase U.S. exports to Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean by 200% in real dollar value over 10 years, with input from Congress, federal agencies, and private sector groups. It establishes two special coordinators within the Commerce Department to oversee the strategy and coordinate with agencies like the Export-Import Bank and development agencies. The bill also mandates trade missions to these regions within one year and standardizes training for U.S. officials on export promotion tools to support the strategy.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal education law to prohibit federally funded athletic programs from allowing individuals assigned male at birth to participate in sports designated for women or girls. It defines "sex" for this purpose as biological sex at birth, based on reproductive anatomy and genetics. The law directly affects schools, colleges, and sports organizations receiving federal funding. Violations would constitute a breach of Title IX, requiring programs to exclude individuals whose sex is male from women's or girls' athletic teams.
Maddy summaryS 793 amends the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program under the 2019 Veterans Mental Health Act to better support veterans' suicide prevention efforts. Key changes include increasing the maximum grant amount from $750,000 to $1.25 million, extending the program’s funding period through fiscal year 2028 with $285 million allocated (up from $174 million), and requiring the VA to establish new metrics for program evaluation. The bill also removes specific references to the "President’s Roadmap" task force, allowing the VA Secretary more flexibility in program oversight, and mandates annual briefings for nearby VA medical centers to improve coordination with grantees. These changes directly affect veterans' mental health programs receiving VA grants and aim to enhance program accountability and effectiveness.