Maddy summaryThe FOCA Act (S 1064) requires federal agencies to ensure open competition on construction projects by prohibiting them from mandating or banning contractors from entering into labor agreements (like union contracts) or discriminating against contractors based on such agreements. It directly affects federal contractors, subcontractors, and agencies awarding construction contracts or grants for projects involving federal funds. Key provisions ban specific bid specifications or project documents from requiring labor affiliations, apply to all contracts after enactment, and mandate updates to federal procurement rules within 60 days. The bill aims to reduce taxpayer costs, expand opportunities for small businesses, and maintain federal neutrality in labor relations for construction projects.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 981, the Foreign Agents Transparency Act, amends the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to strengthen transparency around foreign influence. It clarifies that foreign agents must register continuously while acting for a foreign principal (not just during specific periods) and allows the Attorney General to seek court orders requiring compliance even after an agent's work for a foreign principal ends. The bill also mandates annual, machine-readable reports from the Attorney General to Congress detailing enforcement actions against foreign agents, including their names, the reasons for actions, and current status. These changes directly affect individuals acting as agents for foreign governments or entities and aim to improve oversight of foreign influence activities.
Maddy summaryThe Baltic Security Initiative Act (S 1009) establishes a new U.S. Department of Defense program to strengthen military cooperation with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (the "Baltic countries"). It authorizes $350 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028 to support specific security goals, including deterring Russian aggression, enhancing NATO's eastern flank defense, and improving joint capabilities like missile defense, cyber resilience, and ammunition stockpiling. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a strategy report within one year of enactment, detailing how the initiative will achieve these objectives through existing authorities. This program directly affects U.S. defense planning and security assistance for the Baltic nations, focusing on concrete military cooperation rather than new laws or regulations.
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 summaryThis bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to increase workload at government-owned Army arsenals. It requires the Defense Secretary to give a 20% price preference in contract bids to non-public partners (like defense contractors) that use these arsenals as partners in their bids, plus extra preference for those using the Army's Advanced Manufacturing Center and ensuring 25% of work is done by DoD employees. The program aims to sustain these arsenals' capabilities for cost efficiency and rapid mobilization, directly affecting defense contractors competing for Army contracts. A report on the pilot's progress, including workload data and capital needs, must be submitted to Congress within one year.
Maddy summaryS 835, the Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act of 2025, establishes a voluntary USDA certification program for organizations that reduce food waste. It directly affects food businesses (like restaurants and grocers), schools, government entities, and nonprofits that donate or redirect excess food. To earn certification, participants must document 12 months of food donations to those in need or alternative disposal (e.g., composting), verified by accredited third parties. The program promotes certified entities through voluntary labels and USDA website listings, with $3 million annually for implementation and coordination between USDA, FDA, and EPA.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act to strengthen oversight of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. It directly affects foreign-owned shell corporations (entities with no real operations) that fail to disclose land purchases, imposing fines equal to 100% of the land’s current value. Key mechanisms include requiring the Secretary to conduct annual audits of 10% of disclosure reports, provide training to local officials on missing reports, and mandate annual research on foreign agricultural leasing, land purchases by shell corps, and impacts on family farms. The bill also requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress detailing findings on foreign ownership trends.
Maddy summaryThe Invest to Protect Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to support local law enforcement agencies with fewer than 175 officers. Eligible communities - including counties, municipalities, and Tribal governments - can use funds for de-escalation training, mental health and domestic violence response training, officer retention bonuses, graduate education stipends, and access to behavioral health services for officers. The program requires grantees to report on outcomes and publicly disclose bonus amounts, with strict audit requirements to prevent misuse of funds. It authorizes $50 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to advance these concrete safety and support initiatives.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a streamlined process for out-of-state healthcare providers to enroll in Medicaid or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) in a state. It directly affects children under 21 enrolled in these programs and healthcare providers located in other states who already meet low fraud risk standards. The key provision requires states to adopt a simplified enrollment process using only basic provider information (like name and National Provider Identifier), granting eligible providers a 5-year enrollment period without repeated screening. This reduces administrative barriers for providers serving out-of-state children under 21 who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 91) commemorates the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine (launched February 24, 2022) and expresses U.S. Senate support for Ukraine. It symbolically affirms U.S. solidarity with Ukraine, rejects Russia's territorial seizures, reaffirms U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its 1991 borders, and encourages continued international efforts to counter Russian aggression. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or groups but serves as a formal statement of congressional support for Ukraine.