Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton

Maddy summaryHR 670, the Lady Liberty Act of 2025, sets a minimum annual refugee admission target of 125,000 people for fiscal years after 2026. It directly affects the U.S. refugee resettlement program by overriding the President’s usual authority to set admission numbers. The key provision amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that the number of refugees admitted each year cannot fall below 125,000, regardless of presidential determination. This creates a fixed minimum floor for refugee admissions starting in fiscal year 2027.

Maddy summaryThe COURSE Credit Act (HR 6973) requires colleges and universities to publicly disclose their policies on awarding college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores. Specifically, institutions must publish on their websites detailed information about how many credits they grant, the minimum exam scores required (which may vary by subject or degree program), and whether credits count as full courses, electives, or exemptions. The Department of Education will also collect and annually report this data on the College Scorecard website for transparency. This bill directly affects students seeking credit for AP/IB exams and institutions of higher education by standardizing how credit policies are shared.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal transportation funding laws to include the District of Columbia as a recipient of existing grant programs previously excluding it. Specifically, it adds "the District of Columbia" to formulas for bus grants (49 U.S.C. §5339), apportionment for growing/high-density states (49 U.S.C. §5340), culvert replacement grants (49 U.S.C. §6703), and safe streets grants (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act §24112). These changes allow the District to access federal transportation funds on equal footing with states for projects like bus services, road infrastructure, and culvert repairs. The bill does not create new funding but adjusts eligibility in current programs to remove DC's exclusion.

Maddy summaryHJRES 136 would require the President to issue an annual proclamation designating a day as "Democracy Day" each year. The proclamation must call on state and local governments, as well as educational authorities, to observe the day through programs and activities promoting civic engagement. The bill does not specify which date must be designated, leaving that decision to the President annually. This is a procedural measure focused on directing an existing executive action to foster democratic awareness, without creating new laws or altering existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits states from pursuing or collecting Medicaid recovery claims against individuals' estates for payments made during their lifetime. It requires states to withdraw all existing recovery liens within 90 days of enactment and notify affected individuals or their estates. The law specifically ends state efforts to reclaim Medicaid funds from beneficiaries' estates after death, applying to claims initiated before the law's effective date. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries and their estates who were subject to prior state recovery actions. The key mechanism is a mandatory 90-day withdrawal of all existing liens and a permanent ban on new recovery claims for correctly paid assistance.

Maddy summaryHR 6935, the Postal Facilities Security Camera Act, requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to install security cameras at all its facilities to protect employees, customers, and property. The bill mandates this installation using funding authorized from the Treasury’s general fund, deposited into the Postal Service Fund. This policy change directly affects all USPS locations by implementing a standardized security measure without altering existing postal operations or services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to give the District authority over the Chief Financial Officer's (CFO) salary. It requires the CFO to be paid at the higher of: (1) the federal pay cap for senior executive roles, or (2) a salary rate set by DC law. Crucially, it prevents DC from lowering the CFO's salary during their tenure. The bill directly affects the DC CFO position and expands local control over executive compensation within federal pay limits.

Maddy summaryHR 6929, the Thrift Savings Plan Emergency Withdrawal Act of 2025, allows federal employees who have separated from civil service but haven't yet received their annuity payments to withdraw funds from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. It permits these withdrawals to be taxed ratably over three years instead of all at once, with a lifetime limit of $100,000 per individual. Withdrawn funds can be repaid within one year by rolling them into another eligible retirement plan, with contributions treated as direct trustee transfers. The bill applies to distributions made after January 20, 2025, and specifically affects federal employees in the transition period between separation and annuity receipt.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds for any military action against Venezuela from its enactment date through December 31, 2026, unless Congress either declares war or passes new specific authorization meeting War Powers Resolution standards. It directly affects all federal agencies and military operations that would require funding for actions targeting Venezuela. The key mechanism blocks funding for military force unless Congress explicitly authorizes it through one of two specific pathways. A narrow exception allows actions already compliant with existing War Powers Resolution rules. This is a funding restriction, not a ban on military action itself.

Maddy summaryThe Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2025 expands reproductive health services for military members and veterans. It requires the Department of Defense to provide fertility preservation services, including cryopreservation of reproductive genetic material before deployment or hazardous assignments for active duty service members. The bill also mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide fertility treatment, counseling, and adoption assistance to veterans and their partners without regard to sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The law establishes coordination between military and VA health services to ensure continuity of care during the transition from active duty to veteran status. It includes provisions allowing veterans to maintain control over stored genetic material and make decisions about its use.