Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the WIC program to replace "drug abuse" with "substance use disorder" throughout its provisions, directly affecting WIC participants who may have substance use disorder. Key mechanisms include creating new nutrition education materials for pregnant individuals with substance use disorder and infants affected by prenatal exposure, establishing an online clearinghouse for these resources, and authorizing $1 million for fiscal year 2026. The changes aim to provide evidence-based, non-judgmental support through updated program materials and outreach. The bill specifically targets WIC participants impacted by substance use disorder, not broader population changes.

Maddy summaryHR 3694, the VALID Act of 2025, requires lenders to include specific information about VA loans in mortgage disclosures. It amends the National Housing Act to mandate that disclosures state the loan-to-value ratio and clarify that VA loans are available under Chapter 37 of Title 38 (veterans' benefits law), assuming prevailing interest rates. The bill also requires the Federal Housing Finance Agency to add a military service question to the Uniform Residential Loan Application form, placing it above the signature line within six months of enactment. This directly affects veterans and active-duty service members applying for VA-guaranteed mortgages, as well as the lenders processing those applications.

Maddy summaryHR 3674, the Global Alzheimer’s Initiative Now Act, authorizes the U.S. government to contribute to the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC), a global public-private initiative focused on advancing Alzheimer’s research, prevention, and care. The bill requires U.S. funding to be matched by non-U.S. sources and caps U.S. contributions at 33% of DAC’s total funding from all sources during fiscal years 2026-2030. It mandates annual reports to Congress detailing U.S. financial commitments, governance participation, and how DAC aligns with U.S. global health strategies. The legislation directly affects U.S. foreign assistance programs and the DAC’s operations, aiming to support international efforts to address the growing global burden of Alzheimer’s disease.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 450) commemorates the 100th anniversary of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, established in 1925 to preserve East European Jewish history, culture, and language. It honors YIVO’s century of work, including surviving the Holocaust, amassing over 24 million historical items (like the world’s largest Yiddish collection), and supporting Holocaust scholarship. The resolution recognizes YIVO’s contributions to Jewish American heritage and cultural preservation during Jewish American Heritage Month. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding effect but formally acknowledges the institute’s historical significance.

Maddy summaryHR 3600, the LOOTER Act of 2025, adds federal penalties for theft committed during declared natural disaster emergencies. It makes it a federal offense to commit petty larceny (small theft) or grand larceny (large theft) in any county where a disaster emergency has been declared under the Stafford Act. Offenders face up to 1 year in prison for petty larceny or up to 5 years for grand larceny, using state definitions of these crimes. The law directly affects individuals who steal from vulnerable communities during active disaster response efforts. It applies only during federally declared emergencies, not regular circumstances.

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 summaryThe DEFIANCE Act of 2025 creates a new civil legal remedy for victims of non-consensual intimate digital forgeries (synthetic images or videos manipulating real people into sexual contexts without consent). It allows affected individuals to sue perpetrators in federal court for damages up to $250,000, injunctions to remove content, and privacy protections like pseudonyms. The bill specifically covers cases where forgeries are created or shared with intent to disclose, including scenarios involving sexual assault or harassment. It expands existing federal protections under 15 U.S.C. 6851 to address digital forgeries while ensuring state laws remain in effect.

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 summaryThis bill requires the VA to notify veterans filing claims without representation about free help from recognized veterans service organizations and trained representatives. It mandates an online tool listing accredited representatives (updated quarterly) and adds fee warnings to VA websites, including links to the tool and a site for reporting unauthorized fees. The VA must also review its processes for recognizing representatives within 180 days and report findings to Congress. The bill directly affects veterans navigating VA claims by improving access to verified assistance and transparency around fees. It focuses on concrete procedural changes to enhance claimant awareness, not on outcome predictions.

Maddy summaryHR 2240 requires federal agencies to analyze data gaps related to law enforcement safety and wellness. Specifically, it mandates three reports within 270 days of enactment: one on attacks against officers (including ambushes), another on unreported aggressive incidents not meeting crime thresholds, and a third on officer mental health impacts and existing wellness resources. The reports will examine current data collection limitations, training effectiveness, and potential improvements to reporting systems like the Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted Data Collection. This bill focuses on gathering information to inform future policy decisions, not on creating new programs or funding. It directly affects federal agencies (Attorney General, FBI, National Institute of Justice) and aims to improve understanding of officer safety challenges.