Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to clearly inform veterans about their rights regarding healthcare, benefits, and services. It directly affects veterans using VA services and VA employees, mandating that the VA integrate 10 specific rights into all policies, training, and communications. Key provisions include ensuring veterans receive respectful treatment, transparent claim updates, access to community care, protection from retaliation for seeking care, and clear grievance processes. The VA must display these rights prominently at facilities, in its mobile app, and during military transition programs, with annual staff training and facility audits. The bill does not create new legal rights but codifies existing expectations for VA accountability and veteran communication.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers with 50+ employees to display a clear notice about veteran benefits in visible workplace locations. The notice, developed by the Labor and Veterans Affairs departments, must include the Veterans Crisis Line, how to apply for benefits, and state-specific veteran resources. Employers must post this notice starting one year after the bill's enactment, with updates to the notice required twice yearly. The law directly affects large employers nationwide and aims to improve veterans' access to workplace support resources.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2026 as Financial Literacy Month to raise public awareness about the importance of personal finance education. The bill calls on the federal government, states, schools, businesses, and other organizations to hold programs and activities during this month. It is based on data showing high levels of financial stress, debt, and a lack of financial education among many Americans.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing U.S. laws to require only foreign-owned companies registered in the United States to report beneficial ownership information, while exempting domestic U.S. entities from these filing requirements. Under the new rules, foreign corporations must disclose details about their owners, but any beneficial owners who are U.S. persons will not be required to provide this data. Additionally, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is directed to delete all previously collected ownership information related to U.S. persons while retaining records for non-U.S. individuals. The legislation effectively narrows the scope of the current reporting system to focus exclusively on foreign entities operating within the United States.
Maddy summaryThe START Act streamlines the process for registering apprenticeship programs by requiring the Department of Labor to review submitted program standards within 90 days and providing faster, 30-day feedback for incomplete submissions. It establishes a new grant program that provides federal funding to states based on their population and the number of apprentices, with states required to match these funds to support training, technical assistance, and outreach efforts. The legislation also mandates greater transparency by requiring state agencies to publicly post their reciprocity rules, apprenticeship standards, and their average response times to program applications. Additionally, the bill clarifies that state apprenticeship councils do not have final decision-making authority over program registrations, shifting that power to the federal Secretary of Labor or designated state agencies.
Maddy summaryThe Build America, Buy America Compliance Act requires federal agencies to submit annual reports detailing how they are implementing rules that prioritize using domestically produced materials for taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects. These reports must list all relevant programs, identify which ones fully comply with domestic sourcing requirements, and outline specific timelines for fixing any gaps or replacing broad waivers with more targeted exceptions. The legislation also mandates that all waivers granted for using foreign materials be made publicly available on a dedicated government website to increase transparency. Ultimately, the bill aims to ensure that federal spending on infrastructure supports American manufacturing and workers by closing loopholes that previously allowed the use of imported goods.
Maddy summaryThe Protecting American Taxpayers Act aims to reduce government waste and fraud by requiring stricter oversight of federal programs and extending legal deadlines for prosecuting pandemic-related violations. It mandates that child care payments be based on recorded attendance rather than enrollment alone and requires agencies to report when health care spending or provider numbers spike by more than 100 percent in specific areas. The bill also prohibits small businesses from receiving federal loans or grants if an owner or key employee has been convicted of financial misconduct, while simultaneously banning foreign entities controlled by agents from certain listed countries from receiving U.S. financial assistance. Additionally, the legislation seeks to increase transparency by requiring agencies to publicly report on improper payments and other transaction agreements, and it expands whistleblower protections for employees of defense and non-defense contractors who report waste or misconduct.
Maddy summaryThe INSIGHT Act requires the Department of Labor to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the status of active pension plan investigations, including timelines, reasons for delays, and estimated completion dates while protecting the privacy of private parties involved. It also mandates transparency regarding "adverse assistance" provided to attorneys by requiring written agreements that outline the scope of help and sharing copies of these agreements with potentially affected employers and plan sponsors. Additionally, the bill adds a formal statement to existing pension laws declaring that promoting voluntary pension plans is a key policy goal to ensure employee retirement security. These measures aim to increase accountability and public understanding of how the government oversees and supports employee benefit plans without revealing sensitive private information.
Maddy summaryThe PARITY Act modifies the Higher Education Act to remove specific federal regulations that currently govern the classification of independent study programs and the requirements for accrediting certain educational entities. By repealing two existing sections, the bill eliminates rules that previously mandated these programs be treated as traditional degree-granting institutions and altered how accreditation standards are applied. This change directly affects colleges and universities offering independent study or online degrees, as well as the accrediting agencies that evaluate them. The legislation aims to provide regulatory relief by simplifying the compliance framework for these educational models without introducing new mandates.
Maddy summaryThe Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to use commercial building codes alongside or instead of federal codes when constructing or altering facilities, provided there are no legal conflicts. To test this approach, the bill mandates that the Department run at least three pilot projects each year from 2027 through 2031 using these commercial standards for various construction and leasing initiatives. Additionally, the Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing how these codes were applied and the results of the pilot projects. This legislation aims to streamline the building process for VA facilities by adopting widely accepted industry standards such as those from the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council.