Rep. Valerie P. Foushee

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 2102 (Major Richard Star Act), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both full military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation simultaneously, without the previous offset that reduced retired pay. It directly affects veterans already eligible for both benefits due to combat-related injuries, removing the requirement that their retired pay be reduced by the disability compensation amount. The key provision amends Title 10 and Title 38 to eliminate the offset rule (sections 5304 and 5305 of Title 38) for these veterans. The change applies to payments starting after the bill’s enactment date, effective for all qualifying veterans. This is a policy change to increase financial support for affected veterans, not a new benefit.

Federal Firearm Licensee Act This bill establishes new security requirements and expands recordkeeping and reporting requirements for federally licensed dealers, importers, and manufacturers of firearms (i.e., federal firearms licensees, or FFLs). The bill also broadens the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to administer federal firearms laws and enforce violations. Specifically, bill requires FFLs to implement and comply with a plan to secure their business premises, conduct quarterly physical checks of their business inventories, maintain video surveillance of the area where firearms are sold or transferred, and initiate firearms-related background checks for employees. Additionally, the bill requires FFLs to report to the ATF any inventory firearm that is lost, stolen, or unaccounted for and to notify the ATF about default-proceed transactions (i.e., allowable firearm transfers to an unlicensed person prior to the completion of a background check when the submitted background check remains incomplete after three business days). Finally, the bill removes limits on the ATF's authority to conduct activities related to the administration of federal firearms laws. It enhances the ATF's inspection authority, including by removing the limit on the number of annual compliance inspections (currently, one), requiring inspections of high-risk FFLs, and authorizing an additional 650 investigators. Finally, the bill directs the ATF to deny an application for a federal firearms license if it would endanger public safety or if the applicant is unlikely to comply with the law.

Maddy summaryHR 2655 would end the federal income tax on unemployment compensation for most recipients starting in 2025. It amends the tax code to remove the requirement that unemployment benefits be included in taxable income after December 31, 2024. This means individuals receiving unemployment benefits in 2025 or later would not owe federal income tax on those payments. The change applies to all eligible unemployment benefits received after the 2024 deadline, effectively sunsetting the existing tax treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes visa rules for foreign graduate students pursuing STEM master's or doctoral degrees in the U.S. It requires these students to apply for admission before starting their program and adds background checks and credential verification to their visa process. It also creates a new pathway to permanent residency for STEM degree holders who secure jobs in their field at median wage levels, and allows students to seek permanent residency while on student visas (dual intent). The bill directly affects international students in STEM fields, U.S. universities, and employers hiring these graduates.

Maddy summaryThe IDEA Full Funding Act (HR 2598) mandates specific annual federal funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), directly affecting schools and students with disabilities nationwide. It requires the federal government to appropriate either a fixed dollar amount or a specified percentage (increasing annually from 4.5% to 40%) of a calculated total - based on the number of eligible students and average per-pupil costs - starting in fiscal year 2026 through 2035. The bill sets clear, escalating funding targets, with the higher of two calculated amounts (dollar figure or percentage) becoming available for obligation each fiscal year. This establishes a binding financial commitment to address long-standing underfunding of special education services under IDEA.

Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to address workplace violence in health care, social service, and similar sectors. Specifically, Labor must issue an occupational safety and health standard that requires certain employers to take actions to protect workers and other personnel from workplace violence. The standard applies to employers in the health care sector, in the social service sector, and in sectors that conduct activities similar to those in the health care and social service sectors. Among other elements, the standard must require each employer to (1) develop a workplace violence prevention plan, (2) promptly investigate incidents of workplace violence, and (3) provide relevant training and education to employees.  The bill requires certain hospitals and skilled nursing facilities to comply with this standard as a condition of Medicare participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies when unintended radiation exposure in nuclear medicine must be reported to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). It requires the NRC to revise regulations within 120 days to specify that a radiation dose from a leakage incident (extravasation) must be reported if it exceeds 0.5 Sv (50 rem) in either a 5 cubic centimeter tissue volume or 10 square centimeters of skin. The change directly affects hospitals and medical facilities using radioactive materials in procedures like diagnostic imaging or cancer treatment. The revised reporting threshold takes effect 18 months after the bill becomes law. This is a regulatory adjustment focused on defining specific exposure limits, not altering patient care or funding.

Maddy summaryThe Nutrition CARE Act of 2025 requires Medicare to cover medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with eating disorders starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with eating disorders, including an estimated 1.6 million people on Medicare Part B, with specific focus on underserved groups like 420,500-560,700 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color beneficiaries. The bill mandates coverage through registered dietitians or nutrition professionals, requiring at least 13 hours of services in the first year (including initial assessment) and 4 hours annually thereafter, with referrals from physicians or psychologists. This addresses a current gap where Medicare does not cover medical nutrition therapy for eating disorders at any treatment level. The policy change aims to improve access to a critical treatment pillar for a condition with high mortality rates and significant healthcare costs.

Maddy summaryHR 2485, the Arts Education for All Act, requires states and school districts to integrate arts education into K-12 curricula and report on its availability. It mandates states to describe how they will support arts courses, increase certified arts educators (especially in high-need schools), and use arts to enhance teaching in core subjects like math and science (Section 202). Schools must track and report on arts course offerings, teacher qualifications, and student access - including disaggregated data by school poverty levels (Section 203). The bill also expands arts access in juvenile justice programs (Section 301) and funds research on effective arts education methods (Section 401). It directly affects public schools, arts educators, and youth in after-school and correctional settings.

Maddy summaryHR 2487, the Transgender Health Care Access Act, aims to improve access to gender-affirming care for transgender individuals by funding training and education for healthcare providers. The bill provides $10 million annually for medical schools to develop curricula on gender-affirming care and culturally competent treatment, and $15 million annually for grants to train medical residents, nurse practitioners, and community health centers serving transgender patients. It specifically targets rural providers through $5 million annually for collaborative networks to expand care in underserved areas. The legislation requires a report to Congress within two years detailing progress in improving health equity for transgender populations.