Rep. Marilyn Strickland

Maddy summaryThe Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2025 would create a new office within the Department of Justice to coordinate federal efforts on reducing gun violence. The office, led by a Director appointed by the Attorney General, would integrate existing DOJ programs, evaluate data gaps, and develop evidence-based recommendations for Congress and the President. It would also establish an advisory council including survivors of gun violence, public health officials, and community representatives to guide its work. The office would produce annual reports detailing gun violence trends and policy proposals, while collaborating with agencies like Health and Human Services and the FBI.

Maddy summaryHR 1277, the First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a single gold medal to honor the First Rhode Island Regiment for its service during the Revolutionary War. The bill commemorates the regiment as one of the first integrated military units in U.S. history, formed in 1778 when Rhode Island allowed enslaved and Indigenous men to enlist and gain freedom upon service. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, will be displayed at the Rhode Island State Library, with Congress encouraging its availability for research and display at relevant historical sites. This is a commemorative measure with no direct policy impact or financial provisions for individuals, focusing solely on historical recognition.

United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions to increase defense-related cooperation between the United States and Israel. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a cooperative program, with the concurrence of Israel's Ministry of Defense (MOD), to develop and deploy advanced technologies for countering unmanned systems that threaten the United States and Israel; establish in Israel an office of the Defense Innovation Unit (an organization that focuses on rapidly fielding and scaling commercial technology across the U.S. military); and seek to engage Israel's MOD on the ascension of Israel into the national technology and industrial base (currently defined in law as the persons and organizations engaged in research, development, production, integration, services, or information technology activities conducted within the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada). The bill authorizes DOD, upon request of Israel's MOD, to jointly conduct research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics to meet defense challenges. Additionally, the bill extends the authority for DOD to (1) carry out RDT&E on a joint basis with Israel to establish anti-tunnel and counter unmanned aerial systems capabilities through 2028, and (2) transfer defense articles intended for use as reserve stocks for Israel through January 1, 2029.

Alternatives to Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the Alternatives to PAIN Act This bill reduces cost-sharing and prohibits the imposition of certain utilization requirements under the Medicare prescription drug benefit for certain non-opioid pain management drugs. Specifically, the bill requires such drugs to be covered without a deductible and to be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier (if any). The bill also prohibits the imposition of prior authorization requirements (i.e., requiring prior approval from a plan) or step therapy requirements (i.e., requiring the use of alternative drugs before a drug is covered under a plan) with respect to such drugs.

Maddy summaryHR 1269, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025, expands benefits for public safety officers (like police and firefighters) who develop certain cancers linked to their work. It adds 22 specific cancers - including lung, mesothelioma, and breast cancer - to the list of conditions presumed to be "exposure-related" and sustained in the line of duty. This presumption applies if the officer served at least 5 years, was diagnosed with the cancer within 15 years after last active duty, and the cancer directly caused death or permanent disability. The bill also establishes a process for adding new cancers every 3 years based on medical evidence from agencies like NIOSH, and allows claims to be filed within 3 years of the law's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 1267, the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act, exempts certain water and wastewater treatment facilities from liability under the federal environmental cleanup law (CERCLA) for releases of specific PFAS chemicals. It directly affects public water systems, wastewater treatment plants, municipalities with stormwater permits, and their contractors who handle PFAS while following all applicable laws. The exemption applies only if facilities manage PFAS in compliance with existing federal or state water quality rules, such as through proper biosolids disposal or treated water discharge under permits. However, the bill does not protect facilities that act with gross negligence or willful misconduct in handling PFAS. This law changes liability rules for water systems but does not alter PFAS regulation standards.

Maddy summaryHR 1196 prohibits using federal funds to eliminate the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent agency, as defined by law. It requires the Secretary of State to certify annual compliance with this restriction to the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees. The bill directly affects USAID's operational status and U.S. foreign aid programs by preventing congressional or executive actions that would dismantle or merge the agency, maintaining its role in U.S. international development efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts access to Treasury payment systems (including the Bureau of the Fiscal Service) to only Treasury employees with a "fully successful" performance rating and at least one year of civil service, or contractors/outsiders with security clearances, required privacy/cybersecurity training, ethics agreements, and no conflicts of interest. It treats non-government users accessing these systems as government employees for ethics rules and defines specific actions (like stopping payments) as "personal and substantial participation" in government matters. The Treasury Inspector General must investigate any unauthorized access within 30 days and report to Congress, detailing the breach, security risks, and any halted payments. The bill directly affects Treasury staff, contractors, and any external entities accessing federal payment systems.

Maddy summaryHR 965, the Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act, amends the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 to exclude certain disability benefits from income calculations for housing assistance. Specifically, it removes benefits received under Chapters 11 or 15 of Title 38 (veterans' disability compensation) from income counts for the Section 8 supported housing program and eligibility for other housing assistance. This change directly helps disabled veterans receiving these benefits by making them more likely to qualify for HUD-administered housing programs. The bill applies to veterans renting residential units on Department property under HUD housing assistance programs established after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis proposed bill (HR 220) would expand VA healthcare benefits to cover infertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility preservation services for veterans with infertility or at risk of infertility (e.g., due to medical treatments), and their partners. It limits VA coverage to three successful IVF cycles or ten attempts, requires consent from veterans, partners, and donors, and allows use of donated eggs or embryos. Partners would receive travel reimbursement as if they were veterans, and temporary rules during implementation will immediately allow partners to access care without marriage requirements. The bill clarifies VA isn’t required to cover maternity care beyond existing rules and defers full implementation until VA issues final regulations within one year of enactment.