Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Maddy summaryThe RETAIN Act of 2026 aims to improve retention for Air Force rated officers by modifying pay and assignment policies. It allows officers with over eight years of aviation service to receive the maximum possible aviation incentive pay and extends a specific retention demonstration program through 2031. Under this program, the Air Force would offer officers flexible duty locations, non-flying staff roles, and the option to transition to non-combat positions, alongside a potential aviation bonus of up to $100,000 for those who commit to active duty. The legislation also requires that contract lengths and bonus amounts for these officers match or exceed those offered to members of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.

Maddy summaryThe Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026 grants the Department of Defense authority to purchase F-35 and F-15EX fighter jets through multiyear contracts. It also permits the procurement of key aircraft components in advance to streamline production schedules. The legislation establishes minimum inventory levels for Air Force fighter aircraft that must be maintained between 2026 and 2035. Additionally, it authorizes an increase in the F-15EX fleet size to 329 aircraft, requiring new planes to replace older F-15E models.

Maddy summaryThe Fighter Aircrew Career Flexibility Act creates a pilot program allowing experienced Air Force fighter pilots and navigators to take temporary breaks from active duty to help retain them in the service. Eligible officers can choose to serve in the Individual Ready Reserve for a period between four months and one year while maintaining certain benefits like security clearances, housing access, and pay. In exchange for this time off, participants must agree to undergo specific training to keep their skills sharp and will owe a service commitment equal to double the length of their break upon returning to active duty. The legislation also ensures that taking part in this program will not negatively impact a pilot's promotion or career advancement opportunities. Finally, the Air Force must submit a report to Congress within four years to evaluate the program's success in reducing early separations and preserving experienced personnel.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, aims to overturn a specific executive order by repealing it and prohibiting the use of federal funds to implement similar directives in the future. It directly affects the United States Postal Service, various federal agencies, and state election officials by restricting their ability to regulate mail-in ballots or create national citizenship lists for voting purposes. Key provisions ban federal agencies from sharing voter registration data, compel the Postal Service to continue delivering state-issued mail ballots without interference, and forbid the use of taxpayer money to enforce rules that would require states to adopt specific citizenship verification methods. The legislation seeks to preserve the current system where states manage their own election administration while the Postal Service delivers ballots, citing historical precedents and the high volume of mail-in voting used by Americans.

Maddy summaryThe Speedy Tariff Refund Act of 2026 requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to automatically issue interest-bearing refunds for duties collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This process applies to all importers of affected goods and does not require them to submit requests or additional paperwork to receive their money. The bill also mandates that Customs prioritize these refunds for small businesses and re-process any previously finalized transactions to ensure the correct refund amount is paid. Additionally, the legislation expresses a congressional preference that importers pass these refunds on to their customers, though this is a statement of intent rather than a mandatory requirement.

Maddy summaryThe HERO Child Care for Military Families Act aims to improve child care availability and workforce stability for military families by expanding eligibility for military child development centers and introducing new hiring and benefit structures. Key provisions allow the Department of Defense to hire national service volunteers as child care employees and establish a preclearance program that conducts background checks and health screenings on potential hires regardless of whether a job opening currently exists. The bill also authorizes job-sharing arrangements where two part-time employees share one full-time position to reduce vacancies and offers limited benefits, such as commissary access and tuition assistance, to help recruit and retain staff. To better track progress, the legislation requires the creation of a unified data system to monitor child care capacity and waitlists, along with specific reports on how child care availability impacts military readiness and family retention.

Maddy summaryThe Breast Cancer Stamp Reauthorization Act extends the sale of a special postage stamp dedicated to breast cancer research until the year 2037. This change directly affects the United States Postal Service and the public by allowing the continued availability of this specific stamp for purchase. The bill achieves this by amending federal law to update the expiration date for the stamp's authorized sale period. No other policy changes or funding mechanisms are introduced by this legislation.

Maddy summaryThe Stop CHEATERS Act directs the Internal Revenue Service to increase its enforcement efforts against high-income individuals and large corporations while also expanding taxpayer support services. To achieve this, the bill appropriates billions of dollars over several years to fund IRS investigations, hire additional staff, purchase vehicles, and modernize outdated technology systems. Additionally, the legislation requires the IRS Commissioner to submit regular reports to Congress detailing plans to shift auditing resources toward wealthy taxpayers and analyzing collection gaps across different income levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act," repeals two sections of the Internal Revenue Code. It eliminates Section 25F, which provides a tax credit for contributions made to scholarship granting organizations. Additionally, the bill repeals Section 139K, which allows certain educational assistance to be excluded from an individual's gross income. These changes primarily affect taxpayers who currently claim these credits or exclusions, and organizations involved in scholarship grants or providing educational assistance. The amendments generally take effect for taxable years ending after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Combating Illicit Xylazine Act places xylazine - a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit drug mixtures - into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, subjecting it to federal regulation as a controlled substance. It specifically allows veterinary use without requiring registration of the ultimate user (e.g., pet owners or veterinarians) if xylazine is dispensed by a registered veterinarian or pharmacy with a vet prescription and used for animals owned by the user, under their care, or in authorized animal programs. The bill provides a one-year delay for labeling and packaging requirements and a 60-day delay for registration and recordkeeping for veterinary use to ease implementation. Additionally, it adds xylazine to the Arcos tracking system for controlled substances and mandates two congressional reports on illicit use prevalence within 18 months and 4 years of enactment.