Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act or the FAIR Act This bill modifies pay rates for federal employees in 2026. Specifically, the bill increases rates under the statutory pay systems and for prevailing rate employees by 3.3% and increases locality pay by 1%.
Saving the Civil Service Act This bill generally prohibits changes to the classification of positions in the competitive service and excepted service unless certain conditions are met. (Competitive service positions are subject to competitive examination while excepted service positions are appointed under one of five schedules. Competitive service positions have notice and appeal requirements for adverse actions that are not applicable to most excepted positions, including those of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character under Schedule C.) On October 21, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that placed executive agency positions that are of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character, and that are not normally subject to change as a result of a presidential transition, under a new Schedule F in the excepted service. The order was subsequently revoked by President Joe Biden. The bill prohibits executive agency positions in the competitive service from being placed in the excepted service, unless such positions are placed in a schedule in the excepted service as in effect on September 30, 2020. The bill also prohibits positions in the excepted service from being placed in any schedule other than the aforementioned schedules. Additionally, agencies may not (1) transfer occupied positions from the competitive or excepted service into Schedule C without the consent of the Office of Personnel Management, or (2) transfer employees in the excepted service to another schedule or transfer employees in the competitive service to the excepted service without employee consent.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies IRS rules to provide tax filing extensions after major natural disasters. It allows state governors (or the DC mayor) to request 120-day extensions for federal tax deadlines when they declare a "qualified disaster" like hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes. The extension period increases from 60 to 120 days for affected taxpayers in the impacted state or territory. The change applies to all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia, effective after the bill's enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill would remove longstanding US restrictions on trade, travel, and financial transactions with Cuba. It repeals multiple laws including the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 and the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996, which had imposed economic sanctions. The bill would allow US businesses to trade with Cuba without restrictions, permit Americans to travel to Cuba without regulatory barriers, and eliminate limits on remittances sent to Cuba. It would also establish normal trade relations between the US and Cuba, including removing tariff barriers on Cuban goods. The President would be required to report to Congress within 18 months on US-Cuba trade relations.
Maddy summaryThis bill, the VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025, requires lenders using the Uniform Residential Loan Application to add a specific disclaimer below the military service question. The disclaimer states: "If yes, you may qualify for a VA Home Loan. Consult your lender regarding eligibility." It directly affects lenders nationwide who use this standard loan form. The bill mandates this change within six months of enactment and includes a requirement for the GAO to study whether at least 80% of lenders comply within 18 months. The goal is to increase veteran homebuyers' awareness of VA loan programs.
Maddy summaryS 103, the "Extend the TikTok Deadline Act," extends the deadline for TikTok to address national security concerns under existing law. It amends the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act by changing the required timeframe from 270 days to 540 days. This directly affects TikTok, giving the company an additional six months to comply with the law’s requirements. The bill makes no new policy changes but only delays the implementation timeline for an existing provision.
Maddy summaryS 73 (EMPSA) eliminates a "marriage penalty" in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for married individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It creates new eligibility rules allowing disabled adults over 18 to qualify based solely on their own income and resources, without counting their spouse's income or assets. This change ensures married couples where one spouse has a qualifying disability receive full SSI benefits at the standard rate, without reductions tied to the spouse's income. The policy directly affects married disabled adults who previously faced reduced benefits due to their spouse's financial situation.
Maddy summarySRES 19 is a Senate resolution honoring former President Jimmy Carter's life and legacy, commending his decades of public service, humanitarian work, and diplomatic achievements including the Camp David Accords and founding The Carter Center. The resolution specifically recognizes his Nobel Peace Prize, efforts to combat diseases like Guinea worm, and 30+ years of Habitat for Humanity homebuilding. It formally mourns his passing and extends condolences to his family, while highlighting his role in establishing U.S.-China diplomatic relations and creating the Departments of Education and Energy. As a symbolic resolution with no policy impact, it directly affects no individuals or entities but serves as a formal Senate tribute to Carter's historical contributions.
Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts tax credit rules for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act to make coverage more affordable for lower-income households. It replaces a flat income threshold with a sliding scale, reducing the percentage of income people pay for premiums based on their household income relative to the poverty line (e.g., 0% for incomes up to 150% of poverty, rising to 8.5% at 400%+). The change directly affects individuals buying insurance through health insurance marketplaces who qualify for tax credits. It takes effect for tax years beginning after 2025, modifying how the IRS calculates subsidy eligibility.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member Commission to study the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery and discrimination on African Americans, and to develop reparation proposals. The Commission will examine the institution of slavery from 1619-1865, discriminatory practices like redlining and Jim Crow, and current disparities in wealth, incarceration, and employment. It will identify evidence of these harms, study their lingering effects, and recommend educational approaches and potential remedies, including compensation calculations and eligibility. The Commission must submit its findings and recommendations to Congress within one year of its first meeting. The bill authorizes $12 million for the Commission's work and requires it to terminate 90 days after submitting its report.
