Sen. Chris Van Hollen

Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal funding for projects improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It allows states and localities using federal highway funds to fully cover (100%) the costs of specific projects, such as connecting existing bike/pedestrian paths or reducing risks to vulnerable road users, if they use "Proven Safety Countermeasures" for cyclists/pedestrians as defined by the Federal Highway Administration. Projects must align with state safety plans or local safety plans like Complete Streets or Vision Zero plans. The bill directly affects states and local governments managing transportation infrastructure funded through federal highway programs.

Maddy summaryThe HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes the HOME program with increased funding, authorizing $5 billion for fiscal year 2025 and increasing to $6.08 billion by 2029. The bill modifies program administration by increasing the percentage for program administration resources from 10% to 15%, eliminates a commitment deadline, and establishes a new home loan guarantee program with a $2 billion cap for 2025. It also reforms homeownership resale restrictions to better protect long-term affordability, adds requirements for property inspections, and strengthens enforcement for noncompliance with program rules. Specific provisions include alternative requirements for small-scale housing (with 4 or fewer units) and enhanced tenant protections for this housing type.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the National Park Service (NPS) to fully staff all park units within a reasonable timeframe using existing funds, prioritizing visitor safety, resource protection, and filling all maintenance positions. It specifically mandates reinstating NPS employees who were involuntarily terminated between January 20 and February 25, 2025. The bill also allows the NPS to continue ongoing projects funded under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, Great American Outdoors Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These provisions directly affect NPS staff, park visitors, and the operational capacity of national parks.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases staffing for the Forest Service to maintain national forests' health and productivity, directly affecting Forest Service employees and the management of national forest lands. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to reinstate workers terminated between January 20 and February 25, 2025. The bill also allows the continuation of existing projects funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and Inflation Reduction Act. These provisions aim to stabilize forest management operations and workforce continuity.

Maddy summaryThe Tariff Transparency Act of 2025 requires the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate and report on the economic impacts of tariffs imposed on imports from Mexico and Canada, including the 25% duties on general goods and 10% duties on Canadian energy imports. The report must assess how these tariffs affected consumer prices for everyday items like food, energy, medical goods, and vehicles, as well as the consequences of retaliatory tariffs from Mexico and Canada on U.S. consumers, farmers, and small businesses. It also evaluates how ongoing tariff uncertainty impacts business investment, job creation, and operations across key sectors like manufacturing and agriculture. The Commission must submit this detailed report to Congress within one year of the bill’s enactment, excluding confidential business information.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 965) makes technical adjustments to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to clarify funding authorization for the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. It removes specific historical funding amounts ($3 million for 2010) and replaces them with language allowing "such sums as may be necessary" for future fiscal years. The bill also renumbers sections to correct outdated references, updating the law’s table of contents to reflect these changes. It does not create new programs or alter funding levels - it solely updates the legal text for accuracy and consistency. The bill directly affects the administrative structure of the Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Maddy summaryThe Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2025 would create a federal program providing downpayment assistance to first-generation homebuyers purchasing primary residences. The program would allocate $100 billion to states and eligible organizations to cover downpayment, closing costs, and mortgage rate reductions, with assistance capped at $20,000 or 10% of the home's purchase price. To qualify, applicants must be first-generation homebuyers (neither they nor their parents previously owned a home), meet income limits, and complete homeownership counseling. The program includes reporting requirements to track demographic data and ensure fair housing outcomes, with funds available until expended.

Maddy summaryThe Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 establishes a new initiative to help agricultural producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (encompassing parts of six states and the District of Columbia) implement conservation practices that improve water quality and soil health. The bill provides funding for erosion control, nutrient reduction, and habitat restoration, including a new pilot program that allows landowners to install riparian buffers with no cost to them and with technical assistance provided by third-party providers. A new task force will develop better methods for measuring the environmental benefits of conservation activities in the watershed. The legislation also modifies existing conservation programs to prioritize Chesapeake Bay watershed conservation efforts and includes workforce development provisions for agricultural education.

Maddy summaryS. 925 (Credit for Caring Act of 2025) creates a 30% tax credit for eligible family caregivers incurring qualified expenses to care for a certified relative with long-term care needs. It directly affects caregivers who earn over $7,500 annually and pay expenses exceeding $2,000 per year for care recipients certified by a healthcare professional as needing at least 180 days of care during the tax year. The credit covers costs like human assistance, home modifications, transportation, and respite care, with a maximum annual credit of $5,000 (adjusted for inflation). The credit phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income above $75,000 ($150,000 for joint filers). The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 916 prohibits the detention of pregnant, lactating, or postpartum noncitizens in immigration custody, requiring their immediate release except in rare cases involving credible safety threats. It bans all physical restraints during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery, with strict limits on exceptions. The bill mandates access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including prenatal care, labor services, and postpartum support, while requiring facilities to provide medical consent and maintain detailed reporting on detention practices. These provisions apply directly to noncitizens held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities.