Rep. Hillary J. Scholten

Maddy summaryThe Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse State homes or provide medications directly for certain high-cost drugs used by veterans in State-run nursing homes. A medication is defined as high-cost if its price (including a 3% fee) exceeds 8.5% of the VA's monthly payment for the veteran's care at that home. This applies specifically to State homes that provide such medications to veterans under VA contracts. The bill ensures veterans receive essential medications without financial burden on the State homes, using clear cost thresholds to determine eligibility.

Maddy summaryThe Safer Skies Act of 2025 requires specific smaller airlines to adopt enhanced security screening protocols currently used by larger carriers. It mandates that "covered air carrier operations" - defined as airlines operating under certain FAA rules, offering individual seats with public schedules, using planes with more than nine passenger seats, and not using TSA checkpoints - to follow the Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (49 CFR §1544.101(a)) within 360 days of the bill's enactment. The Transportation Security Administration must revise its rules to enforce this requirement. This directly affects regional and private charter airlines that currently skip TSA checkpoint screening but serve the public with scheduled passenger flights.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require federal firearms licensees to prohibit sales of specific high-capacity rifles and shotguns to people under 21. It targets semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns capable of holding more than 5 rounds in their magazines, raising the age limit from 18 to 21 for these weapons. Exceptions apply for active military members and certain government employees authorized to carry firearms. The law directly affects gun retailers and individuals under 21 seeking to purchase these specific firearms. It modifies existing federal gun sale rules without changing age requirements for other firearms.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 21 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the persistent gender wage gap in the U.S., where women earn significantly less than men for comparable work. It cites specific data showing women overall earn 75 cents and women of color earn even less (e.g., 58 cents for Latinas) per dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the economic impact of this disparity, including annual lost wages exceeding $994 million for full-time women workers. It also highlights designated Equal Pay Days for different demographic groups to underscore the varying timelines to close the gap.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 50% tax credit for individuals purchasing qualified mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, braces, or prosthetics. The credit applies to costs paid after the bill's enactment, covers up to three devices per year, and prevents double benefits by reducing other deductions for the same expenses. It directly affects people who buy these devices for mobility needs, allowing them to claim the credit on their federal income tax returns. The credit is designed to offset out-of-pocket costs for essential mobility equipment.

Maddy summaryThe Paycheck Fairness Act strengthens equal pay protections by expanding the definition of "sex" to include pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. It modifies employer defenses for pay disparities to require proof that any pay difference is job-related, not based on sex, and accounts for the entire pay gap. The bill prohibits employers from asking about salary history, enhances penalties for violations, and requires employers with 100+ employees to collect and report detailed pay data by race, sex, and job category. It also establishes training programs for employers on eliminating pay bias and creates a National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to coordinate enforcement efforts. This legislation directly affects employers, particularly those with 100+ employees, and aims to address pay disparities impacting women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 80 would declare the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) part of the U.S. Constitution, asserting it has been ratified by 38 states (three-fourths of the states) despite the original 1972 deadline. If passed, this resolution would formally establish the ERA as a constitutional amendment, requiring all federal and state laws to align with its gender equality protections. The bill does not create new laws but confirms the ERA's status as part of the Constitution, affecting how laws are interpreted and enforced. It is a procedural step to resolve the legal dispute over the ERA's validity after decades of debate.

Maddy summaryThe Air America Act of 2025 authorizes one-time payments of $40,000 to individuals who worked for Air America or its affiliated companies for at least five years during 1950-1976, or to their surviving spouses, children, or dependents. Additional payments of $8,000 per full year beyond five years are allowed. The program is capped at $60 million total funding, with claims required within two years of final regulations. Payments are a single lump sum with no ongoing benefits, and the bill explicitly states it does not create new entitlements beyond this one-time award.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 223) is a ceremonial measure honoring Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan on its 108th anniversary. It commends the base’s historical contributions - such as hosting the Tuskegee Airmen, supporting post-9/11 security, and hosting KC-46A aircraft - and acknowledges its current role in national defense, economic impact (supporting over 4,500 jobs and generating hundreds of millions in local revenue), and community partnerships. The resolution does not create new policy or funding but formally recognizes the base’s significance to military history and regional security. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct effect on legislation or affected parties beyond symbolic recognition.

Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Program Act of 2025 or the ROCR Value Based Program Act This bill establishes a specialized payment program under Medicare for providers and suppliers of radiation oncology services.  Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must establish a program under which radiation therapy providers (i.e., hospital outpatient departments) and suppliers (i.e., physician group practices and freestanding radiation therapy centers) receive payments for each episode of care provided to individuals with specified types of cancer. An episode of care  means the period beginning on the day radiation therapy planning is furnished to the individual and ending (1) for individuals with bone or brain metastases, 30 days later; and (2) for individuals with other cancer types, 90 days later. Participation in the program is mandatory for providers and suppliers that participate in Medicare, unless the provider or supplier is part of a state-based Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation model or qualifies for a significant hardship exemption. The CMS must set payment rates for the program based on national payment rates with specified adjustments (e.g., geographic adjustments). Providers and suppliers who provide certain transportation services for individuals under their care may receive an additional payment. Providers and suppliers must be accredited in accordance with certain standards, subject to payment reductions. The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) implementation of the program, and (2) underserved areas that are in need of more or newer radiation therapy resources.