Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar

Maddy summaryThe CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands Medicare telehealth coverage by removing geographic restrictions that limited where patients could receive care, expanding the types of health care providers who can offer telehealth services, and eliminating the requirement for an in-person visit before receiving telemental health services. The bill includes specific provisions to support telehealth use for Native American health facilities, rural health clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. It requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to collect and publish data on telehealth usage and impacts, and to develop resources to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and limited English proficiency. Program integrity measures are added to monitor telehealth billing practices and prevent fraud while maintaining coverage for telehealth services during public health emergencies.

Maddy summaryHR 4202, the Protect Honduran Democracy Act, authorizes U.S. support for free and fair elections in Honduras scheduled for November 30, 2025. The bill requires the Secretary of State to create a strategy including funding for independent election monitoring by groups like the OAS and UN, and prohibits misuse of state resources to influence voters. It also authorizes sanctions - such as visa denials - against Honduran officials or others who prevent candidates from running, harass election participants, or misuse legal processes to undermine the election. The legislation allocates $1 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support these efforts, directly affecting Honduran election officials, candidates, and U.S. agencies implementing the strategy.

Maddy summaryHR 4199, the Modernize the Au Pair Program Act of 2025, updates federal regulations for the au pair program to improve affordability and flexibility for host families. The bill requires the Department of State to propose new rules within 90 days, including a revised stipend formula reflecting room, board, and childcare costs without making the program prohibitively expensive. It also mandates greater program flexibility to accommodate military families, first responders, single parents, and shift workers with non-traditional schedules. The bill explicitly prohibits states from regulating the program, ensuring all rules remain uniform under federal law as intended by Congress. This directly affects American host families seeking affordable childcare and au pairs participating in the cultural exchange program.

Maddy summaryHR 4167, the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act, amends the Federal Credit Union Act to extend the maximum time federally chartered credit unions can hold mortgage loans from 15 years to 20 years (or longer by NCUA regulation). This change directly affects federally chartered credit unions by allowing them to offer longer-term mortgage products to members. The key provision modifies Section 107(5) of the Federal Credit Union Act, specifically updating the time limit for mortgage loans held by credit unions. The bill also includes a non-binding sense of Congress statement emphasizing safety and soundness in NCUA oversight, but the core policy change is the extended mortgage holding period.

Maddy summaryThis bill retroactively applies the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians as of June 18, 1934, clarifying their federal jurisdiction status under existing law. It directly affects the Poarch Band by confirming all lands previously taken into trust by the U.S. for their benefit as valid trust lands. The key provision reaffirms the Secretary of the Interior's past actions in placing these lands into trust under the IRA, making those decisions legally final. This provides legal clarity for the tribe's land holdings and governance under federal law.

Maddy summaryHR 4119 requires the U.S. State Department to submit a detailed report within 180 days of enactment on the Polisario Front’s leadership, military activities, and ties to Iran, Russia, Hezbollah, the IRGC, and the PKK. It also mandates that the State Department and Treasury submit within 90 days whether the Polisario Front meets criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization or for sanctions under existing laws. The bill establishes a process for potential sanctions but includes a waiver if the Polisario Front engages in good-faith negotiations toward Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan for Western Sahara. This legislation focuses on gathering evidence for future designations rather than immediately imposing sanctions. It directly affects U.S. foreign policy decisions regarding the Polisario Front and Western Sahara.

Maddy summaryHR 4113 reauthorizes and updates U.S. anti-trafficking programs through 2029, extending funding for victim assistance and prevention efforts. It modifies the "Tier 2 watch list" system to better identify countries failing to combat trafficking, clarifies which foreign aid can be withheld from non-compliant nations, and requires new reporting on organ trafficking. The bill increases annual funding for key programs - from $13.8 million to $23.1 million for victim services and $111 million for broader anti-trafficking initiatives - and mandates a printed public version of annual trafficking reports. These changes directly affect U.S. agencies (like the State Department), foreign governments receiving aid, and anti-trafficking organizations.

Maddy summaryThe HALOS Act of 2025 amends federal securities rules to allow startups to pitch to investors at certain events without triggering restrictions on "general solicitation." It requires the SEC to revise Regulation D so that events sponsored by colleges, nonprofits, angel investor groups, or incubators (with specific safeguards) can host issuer presentations. These events cannot reference specific securities offerings, charge fees for introductions, or involve investment advice. The bill directly affects early-stage companies seeking funding and angel investor groups organizing pitch events. It removes a key barrier for startups to access capital through structured, non-advertising-based investor meetings.

Maddy summaryThe Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2025 creates a 5-year pilot program funding grants to community organizations for free, evidence-based skills training for family caregivers of children (ages 0-9) with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities or delays. The program requires training in communication, social engagement, daily living skills, and caregiver self-care strategies, with emphasis on cultural competence and coordination with local health, education, and community services. Grants must support at least 25 organizations across 15+ states, using $10 million annually (2026-2030), and mandate stakeholder committees including caregivers and local providers. It directly affects families caring for young children with these conditions by expanding access to structured support, while requiring programs to supplement - rather than replace - existing Medicaid, education, or insurance-covered services.

Maddy summaryHRES 525 is a non-binding House resolution affirming U.S. leadership in addressing conflict-related sexual violence. It highlights that 3,688 verified cases occurred in 2023 (a 50% increase from prior years), with women and girls comprising 95% of reported victims and 72 million children living near armed groups perpetrating such violence. The resolution calls on the U.S. to ensure accountability mechanisms for perpetrators are included in peace processes, support survivors through accessible healthcare and justice systems, and promote women’s participation in peacebuilding per the 2017 Women, Peace, and Security Act. It emphasizes that addressing this violence is critical for sustainable peace, global stability, and honoring survivors, while recognizing the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (June 19).