Rep. Marilyn Strickland

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 summaryThis bill amends federal education law to require K-12 schools to include Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in American history and civics education. It directs the Department of Education to update curriculum standards, teacher training programs, and national assessments to ensure AANHPI contributions and experiences are integrated into existing history lessons. The policy affects all public schools receiving federal education funding by mandating specific inclusion of AANHPI history alongside traditional American history content. This change aims to address historical gaps in curricula that have excluded these communities' diverse roles and experiences.

Maddy summaryHR 3559, the Save Our Forests Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Forest Service to increase staffing for National Forest System lands within 30 days of enactment to support forest health and productivity. It mandates reinstating Forest Service employees terminated between January 20, 2025, and the bill’s enactment date. The bill also directs the continuation of specific existing projects funded under laws like the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These provisions directly affect Forest Service operations, workers, and the management of national forests.

Maddy summaryHR 3555, the Protect our Parks Act of 2025, requires the Secretary of the Interior to ensure National Park Service units are fully staffed for visitor safety, resource protection, and maintenance within 30 days of enactment. It mandates rehiring all National Park Service employees involuntarily terminated between January 20, 2025, and the bill’s enactment date. The bill also directs the continuation of specific park projects funded under the Great American Outdoors Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation directly affects National Park Service staff and park operations, focusing on staffing stability and project continuity.

Maddy summaryThe Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2025 would provide federal grants to support comprehensive sex education and sexual health services for young people aged 10-29. The bill establishes four grant programs: for K-12 schools and youth organizations, for colleges and universities, for educator training, and for sexual health services specifically targeting underserved youth. To qualify for funding, programs must be evidence-informed, medically accurate, inclusive of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed. The bill appropriates $100 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2031, with specific funding allocations for each program type. It prohibits funding for programs that withhold health information, promote stereotypes, or fail to address the needs of specific groups like pregnant youth or survivors of violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, requiring them to disclose gifts, income, and potential conflicts of interest. It creates a formal process for handling complaints about justices, including a judicial investigation panel to review allegations. The bill adds specific circumstances requiring recusal, such as when a justice or family member has financial ties to a party in a case. Additionally, it mandates that parties and amicus briefs disclose any gifts given to justices and lobbying activities related to their nomination. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in the Supreme Court's operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that the President has no constitutional authority to withhold funds Congress has appropriated. It creates new legal mechanisms allowing private citizens and state/local governments to sue the federal government for impoundments of appropriated funds. The bill strengthens the Comptroller General's oversight role by requiring executive branch cooperation in investigations of potential violations. Federal employees who knowingly violate these provisions would face personal liability and lose immunity protections. The legislation aims to reinforce Congress's constitutional authority over the budget process.

SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025 This bill directs the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to pay Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) state agencies for 100% of SNAP administrative personnel costs. The bill also requires that state SNAP agency administrators be paid at least the same amount as federal employees. (Under current law, FNS generally pays 50% of a state's administrative costs for SNAP.) Specifically, FNS must pay a state agency for 100% of all SNAP administrative personnel costs that are part of an FNS-approved state agency personnel wage plan. This must include all costs associated with hiring and training new employees, maintaining those personnel costs, and complying with wage standards. The state agency must use these funds (1) to supplement, not supplant, nonfederal funds used for existing administrative personnel costs; and (2) for existing or additional full-time positions that are above the number of positions that were held in FY2024. The bill also requires that the wage standards for SNAP state agency administrators be (1) at least the same amount as the General Schedule (GS) pay rate for federal employees; and (2) updated annually based on any increase in the GS pay rate, including locality adjustments.

Maddy summaryHRES 413 is a non-binding House resolution condemning Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages. It specifically demands that Hamas immediately release the 58 remaining hostages (including four U.S. citizens: Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, Judi Weinstein, and Gad Haggai) and return them to safety. The resolution also recognizes that hostage-taking violates international law and calls on the White House to continue efforts to secure all hostages' release. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the House's stance.

Maddy summaryHR 3418, the Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act, extends the federal Historic Preservation Fund through 2035 and increases its annual funding from $150 million to $250 million. This bill directly affects historic preservation programs nationwide, including state and local grants for protecting historic sites and buildings. The key provision updates the funding levels and duration in existing law (54 U.S. Code § 303102), ensuring continued support for preservation efforts. The change maintains current program operations without creating new requirements or altering eligibility.