Rep. Melanie A. Stansbury

This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, in recognition of their contribution to civil rights by fighting for equality in interstate travel.

Maddy summaryHR 922, the Period PROUD Act of 2025, allocates $1.9 billion annually (2025-2028) through the Social Services Block Grant Program, with $200 million specifically dedicated each year (2026-2029) to provide free menstrual products to low-income menstruating individuals. It requires states to distribute these funds to eligible nonprofits with experience in community distribution of basic needs, integrating the program with existing services like SNAP, Medicaid, and WIC. The bill mandates that funds supplement, not replace, other existing programs, prohibits limiting where products can be distributed, and caps administrative costs at 9% of allocated funds. States must report annually and an evaluation of the program’s effectiveness will be completed by 2031.

Maddy summaryThe Patriot Day Act (HR 911) designates "Patriot Day" as a federal holiday by adding it to the list of designated holidays in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This change would require federal offices to close on Patriot Day, aligning it with other federal holidays like Labor Day. The bill does not establish a specific date for the holiday or alter existing holiday observances. It is a procedural measure to formally recognize Patriot Day as a day for federal holiday closure.

Maddy summaryHR 944, the Access to Counsel Act, requires U.S. immigration officials to provide certain immigrants a meaningful opportunity to consult with legal counsel during key immigration processes. It directly affects U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents returning from travel, visa holders, refugees, asylees, and parolees subject to secondary or deferred inspection at ports of entry. The bill mandates that officials ensure access to counsel (including via phone) within one hour of inspection starting, allow counsel to present evidence, and accommodate in-person meetings when possible. It also requires officials to provide counsel access before accepting Form I-407 abandonment forms from lawful permanent residents, unless waived in writing. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment and preserves existing rights to counsel under other immigration laws.

Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 This bill increases certain payment adjustments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for services furnished between April 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund partnerships between community coalitions and local schools for evidence-based drug prevention programs. Eligible entities - community coalitions with existing federal grants and formal agreements with at least one school - can receive up to $75,000 annually per school partnership to implement tailored prevention strategies. Funds must supplement, not replace, existing school drug prevention funding, and grantees must submit detailed implementation plans. The program authorizes $7 million annually from 2026 through 2031 to support these school-community partnerships.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' position that Congress should take steps to prevent the privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS), ensuring it remains a federal independent agency. It highlights USPS’s constitutional role, self-sustaining nature (relying on service revenue, not taxpayer funds), and critical functions - serving 168 million addresses daily, supporting rural communities, and underpinning e-commerce. The resolution opposes privatization, noting it would raise prices, reduce services, and harm the $1.9 trillion mailing industry. As a non-binding resolution, it reflects the House’s stance but does not create new law or policy.

Maddy summaryHR 764, the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act, removes two barriers for foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) seeking U.S. foreign assistance. It ensures these organizations cannot be denied funding solely because they provide health services (like counseling and referrals) using non-U.S. government funds, as long as those services comply with local laws. The bill also requires that foreign NGOs face the same rules on using non-U.S. funds for advocacy and lobbying as U.S. NGOs receiving similar aid. This directly affects international health-focused NGOs working in countries where U.S. aid is provided.

Maddy summaryHR 801, the Charitable Act, creates a new tax deduction for individuals who do not itemize deductions on their federal tax returns. It allows these taxpayers to deduct up to one-third of their standard deduction amount for charitable contributions in 2026 and 2027. The bill directly affects non-itemizing individual taxpayers by providing a limited, direct deduction for charitable giving without requiring them to itemize. The deduction is capped at 1/3 of the standard deduction amount for those tax years, effective for returns filed in 2027 and 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of Education to proactively notify eligible college students about potential access to SNAP (food stamp) benefits. It targets students with a negative or zero student aid index (SAI) who file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Department must send annual written and electronic notices explaining SNAP eligibility and providing state contact information for applying. The bill also mandates consultation between the Education and Agriculture Departments to design these notifications. This is a policy change focused on improving access to nutrition assistance for low-income students already enrolled in college.