Rep. Zoe Lofgren

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a barrier preventing most low-income students from accessing SNAP benefits. It amends the Food and Nutrition Act to explicitly allow students enrolled at least half-time in recognized higher education programs to qualify for SNAP, reversing a prior exclusion. The key change eliminates the previous requirement that students meet specific exceptions (now deleted) and adds a new eligibility category under Section 3(m)(5). This directly affects low-income undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and training programs who were previously ineligible. The changes take effect January 2, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $50 million annually for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention, beginning in fiscal year 2026 through 2031. The funding is in addition to existing CDC appropriations and would support studies under the Public Health Service Act. It does not create new regulations or directly affect individuals, but aims to expand research into causes and prevention strategies for gun violence. The bill focuses solely on enabling CDC research, without proposing policy changes or restrictions.

Maddy summaryHR 4796, the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act, repeals a provision that blocked Medicaid payments to certain healthcare providers during a specific period. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who received care from these providers between the enactment of the prior law (Public Law 119-21) and this bill's enactment. The key provision retroactively restores Medicaid payments for services already provided during that blocked period, treating the payment restriction as if it never existed. This change ensures eligible individuals and providers receive reimbursement for covered care delivered during the prohibited timeframe.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the TRICARE Young Adult Program to make healthcare coverage more accessible for military dependents. It directly affects young adults (ages 21-26) who are children of active-duty service members, by eliminating a separate premium they previously paid for coverage. Key changes include removing an extra cost for young adults and adjusting eligibility rules to simplify enrollment. These amendments aim to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and streamline access to health insurance under the program.

Maddy summaryHR 4696 amends Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to update eligibility for a registry program that provides a pathway to legal status for long-term residents. It changes the requirement from entering the U.S. before January 1, 1972, to entering at least 7 years before the application date. This adjustment bases eligibility on a rolling 7-year window instead of a fixed historical cutoff, allowing more recent long-term residents to qualify. The bill directly affects individuals who entered the U.S. after 1972 but maintained continuous residence for at least seven years prior to applying.

Maddy summaryHR 4734, the "Hands Off Our Social Security Act," prohibits federal actions that would alter Social Security benefits, data handling, workforce levels, office locations, or communication systems without explicit congressional approval. It directly protects Social Security beneficiaries and the Social Security Administration (SSA) by banning unauthorized changes to benefits, data mining, privatization, staff cuts, office closures, or reduced phone/in-person services. Key provisions require Congress to approve any modifications to benefits, workforce reductions, or office closures, and mandate the SSA to maintain existing communication channels. The bill also mandates annual GAO audits to ensure compliance with these restrictions. This legislation focuses on preserving current Social Security operations and access, not creating new benefits or altering eligibility.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 108 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove legal immunity for federal officials, including the President, from criminal prosecution for actions taken while performing official duties. It would prohibit the President from granting pardons to themselves and eliminate the defense that "official authority" excuses violations of federal or state law (with limited exceptions for certain congressional actions). If ratified, this amendment would require Congress to pass implementing laws to enforce these changes. The proposal is currently in the House Judiciary Committee and requires approval by three-fourths of state legislatures to become part of the Constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, canceling policies, or increasing premiums based solely on a person's status as a living organ donor. It directly protects living organ donors by preventing insurance discrimination unrelated to actual health risks. The bill also requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to update public educational materials about organ donation benefits, risks, and insurance impacts within six months of enactment. These materials will include information on the new insurance protections established by the bill. The law relies on state insurance regulators for enforcement of the insurance provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and federal employee leave rules to clarify that recovery from organ donation surgery qualifies as a "serious health condition." It directly affects private-sector workers covered by the FMLA and federal civil service employees. The key change adds "including recovery from surgery related to organ donation" to the definitions of serious health conditions in both the FMLA and federal leave statutes. This ensures eligible employees can use their existing family and medical leave benefits to recover after donating an organ, without requiring new leave entitlements.

Maddy summaryHR 4559, the Prompt and Fair Pay Act, requires Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to pay healthcare providers the same amount as original Medicare (fee-for-service) for covered services starting in 2027, directly affecting MA plans and providers who treat Medicare patients. It mandates that MA plans pay "clean claims" (claims with no missing information) within 14 days for electronic submissions or 30 days for paper claims, with interest penalties for late payments based on Treasury rates. The bill also requires MA plans to clearly explain claim denials and provide timely notifications about missing information, improving transparency and reducing payment delays. These changes aim to standardize payments between MA plans and traditional Medicare while ensuring providers receive timely compensation.