Sen. Adam B. Schiff

Maddy summaryThis bill changes SNAP (food stamp) eligibility rules for workers participating in strikes. It directly affects workers who are on strike by removing an exception that previously allowed them to keep SNAP benefits during labor actions. The key change removes language that let striking workers remain eligible, now making them ineligible to participate in SNAP solely because they are on strike. This is a concrete policy shift in the Food and Nutrition Act, changing who qualifies for food assistance during labor disputes.

Maddy summaryThe Paycheck Fairness Act strengthens equal pay protections by modifying the Equal Pay Act of 1963 to require employers to prove that non-sex factors used in pay decisions are job-related, consistent with business necessity, and account for the entire pay difference. It prohibits employers from relying on salary history when setting pay for new hires and enhances protections for workers who discuss wages or file pay discrimination claims. The bill requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to collect and publish compensation data disaggregated by sex, race, and ethnicity to better enforce pay discrimination laws. These provisions directly affect workers in the private and public sectors, particularly women and women of color who face the largest pay gaps. The act also establishes a National Award for Pay Equity to recognize employers making significant efforts to eliminate pay disparities.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes U.S. sanctions on the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) and related entities following the October 7, 2023, attacks. It requires the President to block PRC members' U.S. assets and deny visas to individuals affiliated with the group, including officials, agents, or affiliates, starting 90 days after enactment. The bill also mandates a report within 90 days on whether the PRC and another group called "Lions' Den" meet criteria for formal terrorist designation under U.S. law. These sanctions directly affect PRC members, their affiliates, and any groups operating under the PRC's umbrella, restricting their financial access and U.S. entry.

Maddy summarySRES 132 is a Senate resolution designating March 24, 2025, as "National Women of Color in Tech Day." It recognizes the contributions of women of color in technology and highlights ongoing challenges they face in the tech industry, including underrepresentation and systemic barriers. The resolution urges public observance of the day, commits the Senate to supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives in tech, and calls for strengthening STEM education access through partnerships with minority-serving institutions. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of diversity's importance in the tech workforce.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses strong support for public K-12 schools and condemns any efforts to defund public education or dismantle the Department of Education. It highlights the federal government’s critical role in providing equitable funding - particularly for students in underserved communities, including those with disabilities, from low-income families, and in rural areas - and opposes diverting funds to private schools. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally states the Senate’s position on protecting public education funding and oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses. It adds "qualified military spouse" as a new category eligible for the credit, meaning employers who hire spouses of active-duty service members can claim the tax benefit. To qualify, a spouse must be certified by a local agency as married to an Armed Forces member at the time of hire. The change applies to hires occurring after the law's effective date, directly affecting military spouses seeking employment and employers who hire them.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Major Richard Star Act (S 1032), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both their military retired pay and Veterans Affairs disability compensation simultaneously. It amends U.S. Code sections to remove the automatic reduction in retired pay that previously forced these veterans to choose between the two payments. The key change ensures veterans with combat-related disabilities qualify for full retired pay without offset against their VA disability benefits, effective for payments starting after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects veterans receiving military retired pay under Chapter 61 who also qualify for VA disability compensation for combat-related injuries.

Maddy summaryThe Putting Veterans First Act of 2025 protects veterans, military spouses, caregivers, survivors, and reserve component members who work in federal civil service. It requires the reinstatement of those removed, demoted, or suspended between January 20, 2025 and the bill's enactment date, with back pay and restored benefits. The bill also establishes protections against future removals without proper justification, mandates regular reporting on military community employment, and restricts changes to VA operations like office closures, hiring freezes, and telework policies without congressional notice. Additionally, it requires VA to restore canceled contracts and improve transparency through weekly workload reports and published wait times for community care.

Maddy summaryThe HELPER Act of 2025 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and teachers, allowing them to purchase homes with no down payment. It defines "first responders" as full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and K-12 teachers employed by government or accredited schools. The program requires applicants to be first-time homebuyers with 4 years of recent employment in their field, complete housing counseling, and intend to remain in their role for at least one year after closing. Mortgages under this program must be used for a primary residence, cover 100% of the home's appraised value, and exclude monthly insurance premiums.

Safe Schools Improvement Act This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, disability, religion, or sex. Sex includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (including intersex traits). Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.