Rep. Shri Thanedar

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the U.S. military from discriminating against service members or applicants based on gender identity. It bans policies that would deny service, involuntarily separate members, deny medically necessary healthcare, or require service in a gender different from one's identity. The law defines "gender identity" broadly to include a person's internal sense of gender, appearance, and mannerisms, regardless of sex assigned at birth. It directly affects transgender and gender-diverse individuals currently serving or seeking to serve in the Armed Forces.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal education law to require K-12 schools to include Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in American history and civics education. It directs the Department of Education to update curriculum standards, teacher training programs, and national assessments to ensure AANHPI contributions and experiences are integrated into existing history lessons. The policy affects all public schools receiving federal education funding by mandating specific inclusion of AANHPI history alongside traditional American history content. This change aims to address historical gaps in curricula that have excluded these communities' diverse roles and experiences.

Maddy summaryHR 3559, the Save Our Forests Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Forest Service to increase staffing for National Forest System lands within 30 days of enactment to support forest health and productivity. It mandates reinstating Forest Service employees terminated between January 20, 2025, and the bill’s enactment date. The bill also directs the continuation of specific existing projects funded under laws like the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These provisions directly affect Forest Service operations, workers, and the management of national forests.

Maddy summaryThe College for All Act of 2025 would eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students at public community colleges and 4-year institutions through a federal-state partnership. The federal government would cover 100% of costs in the first year (2026-2027), gradually decreasing to 80% by 2030-2031, while states would start with 0% and increase to 20% by 2030-2031. Eligible students would include those with family income below $150,000 for single parents or $300,000 for married parents, regardless of immigration status. The bill also includes requirements to maintain instruction funding, improve transfer pathways between community colleges and 4-year institutions, and provide additional support for students after tuition elimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish 18-year fixed terms for all Supreme Court justices, replacing lifetime appointments. It requires the President to nominate one justice every two years (during first and third years after presidential elections), with Senate confirmation within 90 days, and prohibits reappointments after a single term. Current justices would be phased out in order of seniority as new justices are appointed under this schedule. The bill directly affects all sitting and future Supreme Court justices by mandating term limits and a structured appointment process.

Maddy summaryHR 3555, the Protect our Parks Act of 2025, requires the Secretary of the Interior to ensure National Park Service units are fully staffed for visitor safety, resource protection, and maintenance within 30 days of enactment. It mandates rehiring all National Park Service employees involuntarily terminated between January 20, 2025, and the bill’s enactment date. The bill also directs the continuation of specific park projects funded under the Great American Outdoors Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation directly affects National Park Service staff and park operations, focusing on staffing stability and project continuity.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, requiring them to disclose gifts, income, and potential conflicts of interest. It creates a formal process for handling complaints about justices, including a judicial investigation panel to review allegations. The bill adds specific circumstances requiring recusal, such as when a justice or family member has financial ties to a party in a case. Additionally, it mandates that parties and amicus briefs disclose any gifts given to justices and lobbying activities related to their nomination. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in the Supreme Court's operations.

Maddy summaryHR 3526, the Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2025, increases the maximum amount first-time homebuyers can withdraw penalty-free from retirement accounts. It amends the Internal Revenue Code to raise the limit from $10,000 to $50,000 for qualified first-time homebuyer distributions. This change directly affects individuals using retirement savings to purchase their first home, allowing them to access significantly more funds without incurring the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHR 3505, the Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025, creates a federal grant program administered by the Department of Transportation to fund the installation of proven safety barriers and nets on specific high-risk structures. The program provides competitive grants (up to 80% federal funding) to states, local governments, or other eligible entities for projects installing suicide deterrents on bridges, buildings, parking garages, highway-rail crossings, or rail stations. It prioritizes areas with high suicide rates and mandates a study by the Comptroller General to evaluate effective deterrents for non-bridge structures and their costs, with a report due within one year of enactment. The bill authorizes $10 million annually from 2026-2030 for this initiative.

Maddy summaryHR 217, the CHIP IN for Veterans Act of 2025, makes permanent a program allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept donated properties and facility improvements from communities. This directly affects veterans by expanding potential access to VA services through locally donated facilities, such as buildings or renovations. The key provision removes the temporary expiration date from a 2016 pilot program, ensuring the VA can permanently accept these donations without needing periodic reauthorization. The bill updates related sections of the U.S. Code to reflect this permanent change, effective December 16, 2026. It does not alter eligibility for veterans or VA benefits but changes how facilities may be sourced.