Rep. Sara Jacobs

Maddy summaryThis bill updates federal law to prohibit excluding military members from assignments or career fields based on their gender, affecting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. It requires the Secretary of Defense to submit annual reports detailing changes to occupational standards and data on involuntary reclassifications or separations, broken down by military job and gender. The legislation also modernizes how the military evaluates job requirements, mandating that standards be based on scientifically rigorous assessments of technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical abilities rather than gender. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a full review of ground combat unit effectiveness to Congress and requires an independent audit of that review within 180 days.

Maddy summaryThe Expeditionary Diplomacy Act directs the Secretary of State to define "expeditionary diplomacy" and establish a specialized team to improve how U.S. diplomats operate in high-risk environments. The bill requires the State Department to submit detailed reports on challenges faced by diplomats and to amend existing laws to encourage risk management practices that allow for more frequent engagement with local populations. A newly created "Tiger Team" will be formed to assess current obstacles, develop policy recommendations, and oversee the implementation of changes aimed at increasing the willingness of diplomats to work in dangerous areas. These efforts include consulting with external organizations and reviewing personnel policies to better support Foreign Service members in completing longer assignments in elevated security risk zones.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses support for International Transgender Day of Visibility, a day established in 2009 to honor the transgender community and raise awareness of the discrimination and violence they face. The bill encourages the House of Representatives and the American public to observe this day with ceremonies and activities while recognizing the accomplishments and leadership of transgender individuals. It acknowledges ongoing challenges such as employment discrimination, healthcare restrictions, and anti-transgender legislation, while also highlighting the community's contributions to politics, culture, and civil rights. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create new laws or regulations but serves as an official statement of congressional support for the day's goals and ideals.

Maddy summaryThe Maternal Vaccination Act amends the Public Health Service Act to expand a federal campaign focused on increasing vaccination rates among pregnant and postpartum individuals and their children. This legislation directly affects public health programs by updating language to explicitly include these populations and directing funding toward outreach efforts that address disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups. Key provisions modify existing sections of the Public Health Service Act to broaden the campaign's scope and increase the authorized funding amount from $15 million to $17 million per fiscal year for the period 2027 through 2031. The bill aims to improve vaccination equity by ensuring federal resources specifically target maternal and pediatric immunization efforts.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution formally recognizes the ongoing disparity between wages paid to men and women in the United States and reaffirms Congress's commitment to supporting equal pay. It highlights statistical data showing that women earn approximately 81 cents for every dollar earned by men, with significant variations across racial and ethnic groups, and notes that the gender wage gap has widened over the past two years. The document also identifies contributing factors such as occupational segregation, lack of family-friendly workplace policies, and workplace harassment, while emphasizing the economic impact on women's retirement security and family incomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds for military force in or against Cuba from its enactment until December 31, 2026, unless Congress declares war or passes specific statutory authorization. The restriction applies to all government funds and prevents military actions without congressional approval under the War Powers Resolution. An exception allows military force consistent with the War Powers Resolution's provisions for urgent situations requiring immediate action. The legislation directly affects the U.S. Department of Defense and federal budget processes by limiting how funds can be used for military operations targeting Cuba.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large AI companies and organizations to disclose detailed information about their foundation models, including training data sources, model performance, and potential risks, before and during the model's use. The Federal Trade Commission will create specific rules outlining what information must be submitted to the agency and made publicly available, with exemptions for fully open-source models and special provisions for small businesses. Covered entities are defined as AI providers with over 10 million monthly users, significant computing power usage, or models that could pose security or safety risks, while the FTC will enforce compliance as unfair business practices.

Maddy summaryHR 7641, the Transparency in Foreign Assistance Act, requires the State Department to implement a one-year pilot program for specific foreign aid programs under the Bureau of African Affairs and Counterterrorism. It mandates that officials submit detailed reports to Congress - including program names, target countries, funding amounts, implementation methods, objectives, and performance metrics - beyond existing reporting requirements. This applies only to new or expanded programs needing additional funds beyond current allocations. The bill aims to increase congressional oversight by standardizing transparency for these specific aid initiatives during the pilot period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. foreign aid agencies (like USAID) to increase direct funding to local organizations in recipient countries, including local nonprofits, governments, and private businesses. It mandates specific changes to simplify access for these partners, such as allowing applications in local languages, reducing complex accounting requirements, and permitting limited local-only contracts for certain projects. Agencies must also report annually on progress, including how much aid went directly to local partners and how they are enabling local leadership in program design and management. The goal is to shift aid delivery toward locally led development and humanitarian response, making assistance more efficient and sustainable by prioritizing community-driven solutions.

Maddy summaryThe Kira Johnson Act establishes a federal grant program to support community-based organizations in improving maternal health outcomes for populations facing higher rates of maternal mortality and health disparities. It allocates $100 million annually from 2027 to 2031 for grants that fund programs addressing social determinants of health, culturally congruent care, and support for midwifery practices. The bill also creates a separate $5 million annual funding stream for training all maternity care employees on bias reduction, trauma-informed care, and respectful service delivery. Additionally, the legislation requires hospitals and health systems to establish compliance programs that allow patients to report bias and mandates regular public reporting on these efforts. A study by the National Academies and ongoing evaluation by the GAO will assess the effectiveness of these initiatives in improving patient experiences and health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups.