Lifting Local Communities Act This bill specifies that government entities may not discriminate against religious organizations when awarding federal funds for social services programs (i.e., government programs that provide services for low-income individuals and communities, such as child care, transportation, employment, housing, and meal services). Specifically, religious organizations are eligible to apply for and receive federal funds to provide services for social services programs on the same basis as private, nonreligious organizations. Additionally, government entities may not discriminate against private organizations on the basis of religion when selecting funding recipients. Organizations that receive federal funds for social services programs may not discriminate against individuals on the basis of religion when providing services. If an individual objects to the character or affiliation of a private organization that is providing a service as part of a social services program, government entities must provide the individual with reasonable alternatives. Religious organizations may bring civil actions against entities for violations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that new members of the House of Representatives (including Delegates and Resident Commissioners) can choose not to participate in the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) pension plan. However, it requires all such members to continue participating in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the retirement savings program. The law amends existing code to explicitly state that opting out of FERS does not affect mandatory TSP participation. This applies only to members first serving after the bill's enactment date, not current members.
Maddy summaryS 88, the BLAST Act, bans former U.S. Senators, Representatives, and elected congressional officers from lobbying Congress after leaving office. It prohibits them from making communications or appearing before current members or staff to influence legislation on behalf of others (excluding the U.S. government), with violations punishable under federal law. The bill directly affects former lawmakers who might seek to lobby while using their prior congressional connections. This amendment to Title 18, U.S. Code, applies to those leaving office after the bill’s enactment date.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Congress to approve a budget resolution and pass all regular appropriations bills by October 1 each fiscal year. If Congress fails to meet this deadline, members of Congress (excluding the Vice President) would not receive pay for the period of non-compliance, with no retroactive payment allowed. The Budget and Appropriations Chairs in each chamber would determine compliance on October 1 and certify pay status. The law would take effect on September 30, 2025.
Maddy summaryS 68, the FARM Act, requires the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) to review foreign investments in U.S. agriculture businesses and supply chains. It adds the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS and designates agricultural supply chains as critical infrastructure and critical technologies. The bill mandates a report within one year detailing foreign investments in U.S. agriculture, potential threats to supply chains, and espionage risks targeting agricultural data. This directly affects foreign entities seeking to acquire or invest in U.S. agricultural operations and supply chain systems.
Maddy summaryThe Standing with Moms Act of 2023 requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create a public website (life.gov) and an interactive portal within one year of enactment. The portal uses a question-based system to connect pregnant individuals with location-specific resources, including mental health support, medical services, financial assistance, childcare, and alternatives to abortion. It prohibits listing resources from organizations that provide or promote abortions and mandates multilingual access. The bill also requires annual reporting on website usage and resource gaps to Congress, focusing on improving support for pregnant and postpartum women.
Maddy summaryS 72, the Debt Cancellation Accountability Act of 2023, requires congressional approval before the federal government can cancel student loans for groups of borrowers (defined as "class-based" forgiveness totaling over $1 million for two or more borrowers). It prohibits the Education Secretary from authorizing such group cancellations without a specific budget appropriation, mandating that the Secretary submit detailed requests to Congress explaining the need, legal basis, and justification for collective cancellation versus individual reviews. The bill specifically excludes existing targeted loan forgiveness programs in place before January 1, 2022, which continue to operate under individual case reviews. This law changes the process for large-scale student loan forgiveness by making it contingent on explicit congressional funding and approval.
Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2023 This bill extends the customs waters territory of the United States. Under current law, customs waters means waters within four leagues of the coast of the United States. This bill revises the definition to include (1) the territorial sea of the United States to the limits permitted by international law in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 5928, dated December 27, 1988, that extended such limits to 12 nautical miles from the baselines of the United States; and (2) the contiguous zone of the United States to the limits permitted by international law in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 7219, dated September 2, 1999, that extended such limits to 24 nautical miles from the baselines of the United States.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a temporary waiver for SNAP (food stamp) work requirements and reinstates a 6-month work requirement for certain adults in households with dependent children, replacing the previous 3-month rule. It expands exemptions for parents caring for children under 6 and adds new provisions for households where a spouse is already meeting work requirements. The bill also extends these SNAP work rules to public housing residents and tenants in housing assistance programs. These changes directly affect millions of low-income SNAP recipients and housing program participants who are work-eligible adults in families. The policy shifts focus toward requiring consistent work participation in these benefit programs.
Maddy summaryThe Student Empowerment Act (S 57) expands the use of 529 college savings plans to cover more elementary and secondary school expenses. It allows families to use these tax-advantaged accounts for tuition, curriculum materials, books, online resources, tutoring by licensed instructors, standardized test fees, dual enrollment courses, and licensed therapies for students with disabilities. This applies to students in public, private, religious, and homeschool settings, directly benefiting parents and students using 529 plans for K-12 education. The amendment takes effect for distributions made after the bill's enactment date.