Sen. John Fetterman

Maddy summarySRES 72 is a non-binding Senate resolution affirming that Hamas must not retain political or military control in the Gaza Strip. It calls on the President to use economic and diplomatic measures to halt all funding for Hamas from Iran and other sources, while supporting Israel's defense against Hamas and Iranian proxies. The resolution cites Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, its designation as a foreign terrorist organization, and Iran's annual support to Hamas as context for its stance. It does not create new laws but expresses congressional position on Gaza governance and counterterrorism efforts.

Maddy summaryS 1021 establishes a new program within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to increase purchases of "naturally nutrient-rich dairy" (like fluid milk, yogurt, and cheese made from cow's milk) by SNAP households. It provides point-of-sale incentives at checkout, meaning SNAP users would receive immediate discounts when buying qualifying dairy products. The program allocates $10 million annually for grants to state/local governments or nonprofits to run projects, with priority given to initiatives maximizing direct incentives and using electronic systems. Projects must be evaluated for effectiveness, and results will be publicly reported, while transitioning existing dairy incentive programs to this new framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Major Richard Star Act (S 1032), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both their military retired pay and Veterans Affairs disability compensation simultaneously. It amends U.S. Code sections to remove the automatic reduction in retired pay that previously forced these veterans to choose between the two payments. The key change ensures veterans with combat-related disabilities qualify for full retired pay without offset against their VA disability benefits, effective for payments starting after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects veterans receiving military retired pay under Chapter 61 who also qualify for VA disability compensation for combat-related injuries.

Maddy summaryThe FIGHT China Act of 2025 restricts U.S. investments in Chinese companies with ties to China's military or surveillance sectors. It prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions involving "prohibited technologies" such as advanced semiconductors (with specific technical specifications), AI systems, quantum computing, and hypersonic weapons, while requiring notification for certain "notifiable technology" investments. The bill mandates that U.S. investors divest from companies on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List within one year of enactment. It establishes a process for identifying Chinese entities subject to these restrictions, with annual reports to Congress required for seven years.

Maddy summaryThe HELPER Act of 2025 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and teachers, allowing them to purchase homes with no down payment. It defines "first responders" as full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and K-12 teachers employed by government or accredited schools. The program requires applicants to be first-time homebuyers with 4 years of recent employment in their field, complete housing counseling, and intend to remain in their role for at least one year after closing. Mortgages under this program must be used for a primary residence, cover 100% of the home's appraised value, and exclude monthly insurance premiums.

Safe Schools Improvement Act This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, disability, religion, or sex. Sex includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (including intersex traits). Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill cancels all existing school meal debt owed by households for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program as of its enactment date. Within 180 days, the Secretary of Agriculture must eliminate this debt using Commodity Credit Corporation funds, paying local schools directly and confirming cancellation to affected households. It applies to households with outstanding balances under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act's breakfast program. The bill also updates funding rules to allow Commodity Credit Corporation funds for other nutrition programs like the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill transitions Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees from TSA-specific personnel systems to the standard federal system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, requiring completion by December 31, 2025. It prohibits changes to current TSA personnel policies during transition, ensures no reduction in pay or benefits for employees, and preserves collective bargaining rights for screening agents. The bill mandates annual reports on workforce satisfaction, retention rates, and actions to improve morale, as well as reports on recruitment, diversity, and workplace safety to Congress. It includes specific protections for Federal Air Marshals regarding mental health, suicide rates, and workplace conditions. The TSA must submit detailed implementation plans to Congress within 7 days of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics (JTF-ISN), a federal coordination body led by a presidentially appointed director. It brings together agencies including the DEA, FBI, Treasury, Homeland Security, and others to share intelligence and coordinate operations targeting synthetic narcotics trafficking networks, with specific focus on Chinese involvement in the crisis. The task force must submit regular reports to Congress on its activities, funding needs, and progress in disrupting trafficking, while maintaining existing agency authorities. It explicitly prohibits targeting personal drug use or low-level dealing unrelated to major trafficking networks.

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.