Maddy summaryS 2006, the Fit to Serve Act, prohibits the U.S. military from discriminating against service members or applicants based on gender identity. It directly affects all current and prospective members of the Armed Forces by banning specific discriminatory actions, including denying medically necessary health care, requiring service in a sex assigned at birth, or separating members due to gender identity (including gender dysphoria diagnosis). The bill amends Title 10 of the U.S. Code to add new protections, explicitly stating that the military cannot deny service, reenlistment, or health coverage based on gender identity. These changes apply uniformly across all branches and service statuses, ensuring equal treatment under military policy.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Communications Act to clarify that "franchise fee" means only monetary assessments paid to local authorities for cable or community television services. It removes the word "includes" and adds "other monetary" before "assessment" in the definition. This technical change ensures franchise fees are strictly defined as cash payments, not other types of fees or non-monetary obligations. It directly affects cable operators and local governments that collect these fees under existing law. The bill makes no new policy changes but refines the legal definition for clarity.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent expert panel to review and make recommendations for improving the FAA's Safety Management System (SMS) to ensure comprehensive safety practices across all FAA operations. It requires air carriers to install ADS-B In equipment within 4 years to enhance situational awareness, and mandates safety reviews of airspace operations at major airports, particularly examining military and civilian aircraft near airports. The bill also protects the FAA workforce from hiring freezes and staffing reductions, extends air traffic controller hiring requirements through 2033, and requires risk assessments following transport airplane accidents. These provisions aim to enhance safety coordination between the FAA and Department of Defense while addressing specific safety management and equipment requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill prevents employers from dropping health insurance coverage for workers during strikes or lockouts. It amends the National Labor Relations Act to prohibit employers from terminating group health plan coverage for employees who are either locked out (during bargaining disputes) or participating in a lawful strike. Employers who violate this rule face civil penalties of up to $75,000 per violation for lockout-related actions (doubling to $150,000 for repeat offenses) or $50,000 for strike-related actions (doubling to $100,000 for repeat offenses). The law directly affects workers engaged in strikes or locked out by employers, ensuring their healthcare coverage continues during these labor disputes.
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.
Maddy summaryThe Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025 establishes a national program to eliminate hepatitis C virus in the United States by providing free treatment to people with hepatitis C who are in correctional facilities, enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP programs, receiving care through Indian Health Services, or without health insurance. The bill creates a subscription program where the Secretary of Health and Human Services will purchase and distribute hepatitis C treatments directly to covered populations without cost-sharing, while also establishing a national strategy, implementation plan, and public dashboard to monitor progress. It includes $5.5 billion for treatment access and $4.283 billion for public health activities like screening, diagnosis, and community outreach to improve hepatitis C treatment outcomes. The program requires participation from the Bureau of Prisons and Indian Health Service, and aims to coordinate care across health systems to eliminate hepatitis C virus.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals key protections in the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act that shielded gun manufacturers from civil lawsuits. It allows victims of gun violence to use federal gun trace data (from the Firearms Trace System database) as evidence in civil court cases against gun sellers or manufacturers. The law makes this trace information discoverable, admissible, and usable in any civil action in state or federal courts, including the District of Columbia. This change directly affects victims seeking legal recourse and gun industry entities previously protected by the repealed law.
Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily restores federal student loans (Federal Direct Stafford Loans) for graduate and professional students, directly affecting those pursuing advanced degrees. It reinstates a provision that had expired after 2012, allowing these loans to be offered again through June 30, 2023. The bill specifically amends the Higher Education Act to clarify this temporary reinstatement and exempts it from certain administrative rulemaking requirements. It does not create new loan programs but reestablishes a prior eligibility period for graduate students. The change is limited to a specific timeframe and applies only to federal student loan programs.
Maddy summaryS 1957, the "No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act," repeals five specific executive orders that the bill identifies as harming LGBTQI+ rights. It prohibits federal funding for implementing or enforcing those orders, which include policies restricting transgender healthcare, military service, school sports participation, and requiring schools to deny transgender identities. The bill directly affects LGBTQI+ individuals by reversing discriminatory executive actions in key areas like employment, education, healthcare, and military service. It does not create new policies but formally nullifies existing executive actions through legislative repeal and funding restrictions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires lenders to include VA loan options in standard mortgage disclosures when discussing loan choices, alongside other options like FHA loans. It mandates adding a military service question to the Uniform Residential Loan Application form, positioned above the signature line. The change applies to all lenders using this standard form, ensuring veterans are identified early in the application process. The bill does not alter VA loan benefits but improves transparency about available options for military borrowers.