Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet

Maddy summaryThe Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the U.S. biobased products industry by increasing federal procurement of products made from renewable agricultural resources like corn and soybeans. It establishes new definitions for biobased terms, creates a Biobased Task Force within the Department of Agriculture to coordinate research and promotion, and requires federal agencies to update procurement systems to identify biobased products and train staff on their purchase. The bill mandates annual reporting on procurement progress, creates a labeling system for biobased products, and requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct public education on biobased products. This legislation directly affects farmers, biobased manufacturers, and federal procurement agencies, with the goal of supporting rural economic development.

Maddy summaryHRES 602 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the role of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in enabling independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. It does not create new laws but calls on specific federal agencies to take action, including the Department of Labor to boost employment opportunities, the Federal Communications Commission to improve accessible technology, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to expand inclusive housing. The resolution highlights ongoing challenges like high poverty rates (nearly 25% of people with disabilities living below the poverty line) and inaccessible workplaces, urging bipartisan efforts to address these barriers. It directly affects individuals with disabilities by advocating for systemic changes in employment, healthcare access, and community integration.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 4677) renames a U.S. Postal Service facility in Amarillo, Texas (located at 505 East 9th Avenue) as the "Mayor Jerry H. Hodge Post Office Building" to honor the late mayor. It updates all official U.S. government references to the building to reflect this new name. The bill has no policy impact beyond this ceremonial designation and affects no specific legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 4621, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion Gold Medal Act, authorizes a single gold medal to honor the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion - a segregated African-American unit that served during the D-Day invasion in World War II. The medal, struck by the U.S. Mint, will be presented by Congress and displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. The bill recognizes the unit’s role in deploying barrage balloons to protect Allied troops from air attacks on Omaha Beach and their overall contributions to the D-Day success. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is purely a commemorative gesture for historical recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal transit grant rules to incentivize local housing policies near transit. It defines "pro-housing policies" as actions removing regulatory barriers (like eliminating parking minimums or streamlining approvals for multi-family housing) and adds a 1-point scoring boost in grant evaluations for projects demonstrating such policies within walking distance of transit. Local governments and developers seeking federal transit capital grants can earn this boost by documenting these policies, with HUD consulted to assess expected housing outcomes. The policy directly affects how transit projects are scored for funding, aiming to align housing production with transit access.

Maddy summaryThe SUPPLY Act establishes a federal program to insure second loans (additional financing) for building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family properties. This insurance, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, covers up to 30% of a standard one-unit home loan amount or 100% of the property value after construction (with potential increases based on 50% of projected rental income). Homeowners seeking to add ADUs - such as backyard cottages, converted basements, or detached units - can use this insurance to secure financing, with a government premium of up to 1% annually. The bill also requires Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase and securitize these insured loans, potentially expanding access to ADU financing.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to assess how effectively the federal government supports military voters under existing law. It requires the GAO to analyze ballot transmission, counting rates, rejection reasons, and assistance from military voting officers, while also studying ways to improve voter registration access for service members and their families. The report, due by September 2027, will be submitted to relevant congressional committees and focuses on gathering data to identify gaps in voting access for military personnel and their dependents. This is a procedural measure to inform future improvements, not a direct policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicaid programs to cover specific treatments for individuals with breast or cervical cancer. It adds a new provision to Medicaid rules that explicitly includes these patients in mandatory coverage, ensuring states must provide necessary care. The bill also mandates that Medicaid cover breast reconstruction surgery following a medically necessary mastectomy. These changes directly affect Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer who need these specific treatments. The policy update removes gaps in existing coverage for these critical cancer care services.

Maddy summaryHR 4545, the Medicare Breast Reconstruction Access and Information Act, requires healthcare providers to inform Medicare patients about coverage for breast reconstruction surgery before performing a mastectomy. The bill amends the Social Security Act to mandate that suppliers providing a mastectomy must explain that reconstruction is covered under Medicare's national coverage determination 140.2 and document this discussion in the patient's medical record. This applies specifically to Medicare beneficiaries undergoing medically necessary mastectomies. The law ensures patients receive clear information about existing coverage options prior to surgery, without changing Medicare's benefit structure.

Maddy summaryHR 4477, the PRICE Act, creates a new federal grant program to improve affordable manufactured housing communities. It provides funds for infrastructure, repairs, safety upgrades, and community services in communities that are affordable to low- and moderate-income residents (at or below 120% of area median income) and either owned by residents or committed to remaining affordable. Eligible projects include replacing homes (excluding pre-1976 units), weatherization, accessibility modifications, and resident services like eviction prevention. The program prioritizes projects that preserve long-term affordability for low-income residents and is open to community groups, local governments, tribes, and nonprofit housing organizations.