Rep. Sean Casten

Maddy summaryThe Sustaining Our Democracy Act establishes a federal program providing funding to states for election administration improvements, increased voter access, and protection of election workers. States must submit detailed plans for using funds to upgrade voting equipment, expand early and mail voting options, secure election infrastructure, and address disparities in voting access for underserved communities. The bill prohibits states from using funds for activities that restrict voting access or suppress participation, and creates an Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation to administer the program. Funded through a $2.5 billion Trust Fund for fiscal years 2026-2035, this legislation directly affects all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories receiving federal election funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts health insurance subsidies by modifying the premium tax credit structure under the Internal Revenue Code. It replaces previous income thresholds with a sliding-scale formula, increasing subsidies for households earning between 150% and 400% of the federal poverty level - reducing their required premium payments as income rises within these tiers. The changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly affecting middle-income individuals and families purchasing coverage through health insurance marketplaces. It also repeals specific provisions from a prior reconciliation law related to health care.

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 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 summaryThe Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2025 authorizes federal grants to fund structured mentoring programs for children in foster care (under 18) and youth with foster care experience (up to age 26). It requires grantees to provide trained mentors (adult or peer), ensure cultural competence, conduct background checks, and match mentors with mentees for at least one year to support academic, social, and emotional needs. Programs must prioritize input from youth, recruit diverse mentors reflecting foster youth demographics, and coordinate with child welfare and education systems. The bill allocates $50 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2027, mandating annual reports on program reach, mentor demographics, and outcomes like school attendance and college enrollment. This directly affects over 390,000 foster youth annually by expanding access to evidence-based mentoring.

Maddy summaryThe Biochar Research Network Act of 2025 establishes a national network of up to 20 research sites to study how biochar (a charcoal-like substance) improves soil health, carbon sequestration, and farming practices. It directs the Agriculture Department to fund research testing biochar across diverse soils, climates, and agricultural systems to assess its impact on crop yields, climate mitigation, and profitability for farmers, ranchers, foresters, and land managers. The bill authorizes $50 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for this research, focusing on practical, science-based guidance for sustainable biochar use. The network will generate data to help land managers adopt biochar for soil health, carbon reduction, and resilience to extreme weather.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires a 3-business-day waiting period before someone can receive a handgun from another person who isn't a licensed gun seller. It applies to most private handgun transfers but includes exceptions for law enforcement, family loans (like between spouses or parents and children), temporary transfers to prevent imminent harm, and transfers for shooting or hunting under specific conditions. The waiting period begins when the recipient first offers to take possession of the gun. The law would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe RAP Act of 2025 amends federal evidence rules to generally prohibit the use of a defendant's creative or artistic expression (such as music, poetry, or visual art) as evidence in criminal or civil trials. It directly affects defendants whose artistic works might otherwise be presented against them, making such evidence inadmissible unless the government proves specific conditions by "clear and convincing evidence." These conditions require showing the expression was intended literally, directly relates to the specific facts of the case, is uniquely relevant, and has distinct probative value not available through other admissible evidence. If admitted under the exception, courts must redact the evidence and provide special jury instructions. The law aims to protect artistic expression from being misused in legal proceedings.

Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 This bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for qualifying hospitals, including hospitals in rural areas and health professional shortage areas. The bill provides for an additional increase of 2,000 positions per fiscal year from FY2026-FY2032; during this period, each hospital may receive up to 75 additional positions in total under the bill and current law. Additionally, one-third of the positions that are made available under the bill must be allocated to hospitals that are already operating above applicable resident limits. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on strategies to increase the diversity of the health professional workforce, including with respect to representation from rural, low-income, and minority communities.

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.