Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $50 million annual set-aside in the Housing Act of 1949 to fund direct loans to Native-owned community financial institutions (CDFIs) that serve Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. These institutions must use the funds to provide mortgages for individuals who are tribal members or live in households with tribal members, with priority given to borrowers residing on "priority Tribal land" (including reservations, trust lands, and Hawaiian Home Lands). The bill requires these institutions to match 20% of loan amounts (waived for priority areas) and mandates annual reports tracking loan numbers, amounts, and distribution by tribal land status. It also allocates $1 million yearly for technical assistance to support outreach and program implementation.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal funding to support community development lenders by expanding the Fund's ability to purchase loans from or provide guarantees to community development financial institutions (CDFIs). It raises annual funding from $5 million to $20 million and authorizes $100 million total, allowing non-CDFI organizations (like community development corporations) to also qualify for assistance if they promote community development. The Fund must prioritize organizations demonstrating experience with loan structures or capacity to increase loan volumes, especially for underserved communities. Annual reports will track how funds boost CDFI liquidity, competitiveness, and access to capital for borrowers with unmet financial needs.
Maddy summaryS.1267, the Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2023, expands federal housing anti-discrimination protections under the Fair Housing Act. It adds "source of income" (including housing vouchers, Social Security benefits, child support, and other lawful income), "veteran status," and "military status" as protected categories in housing. This directly affects renters and homebuyers using these income sources or who are veterans/military members, prohibiting landlords and housing providers from discriminating against them. The bill amends key sections of the Fair Housing Act to include these new categories and provides a 40-month transition period for agencies to adjust certifications.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 735) modifies funding authorization for the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. It removes fixed annual funding amounts (like the $3 million for 2010) and replaces them with flexible language allowing "such sums as may be necessary" for all fiscal years, ensuring funding can adjust as needed. The bill also reorganizes the law’s structure by removing Section 209 and redesignating Section 210 as Section 209, which now focuses on "Encouragement of State involvement" in homelessness efforts. These changes aim to streamline operations and strengthen state collaboration without altering core program requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to increase landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program, which helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing in the private market. It creates three main incentives: one-time payments to landlords (up to 200% of monthly housing payments) for accepting vouchers in low-poverty neighborhoods (census tracts with less than 20% poverty rate), security deposit payments to landlords on behalf of tenants, and bonus payments to public housing agencies that employ dedicated landlord liaisons. The bill establishes a $100 million annual "Herschel Lashkowitz Housing Partnership Fund" to finance these initiatives, with specific requirements to prioritize high-opportunity neighborhoods that have good access to schools, jobs, and transportation. It also includes reporting requirements for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to track the program's effectiveness in recruiting landlords in these areas.
Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCONRES 30) expresses Congress's support for designating March 10, 2024, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day." It acknowledges the critical role of abortion providers and staff in delivering essential reproductive health care, particularly amid increased restrictions following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. The resolution condemns the impact of abortion bans on providers and patients while affirming Congress's commitment to protecting access to abortion care and provider safety. As a symbolic gesture with no legal effect, it does not change policy or directly affect any individuals or entities.
Maddy summarySRES 577 is a Senate resolution (introduced March 6, 2024) that commemorates Burnsville, Minnesota, law enforcement and first responders who died in the line of duty on February 18, 2024. It specifically honors Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth, who were killed while responding to a domestic call, along with acknowledging injured Sergeant Adam Medlicott. The resolution expresses condolences to their families, recognizes their service and sacrifice, and affirms support for all law enforcement and first responders nationwide. As a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes, it serves solely to honor these individuals' heroic actions.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal working group to study how financial institutions can better support survivors of domestic violence facing economic abuse. The group, composed of agency heads from major financial regulators (like the Treasury, Fed, and CFPB), will examine data collection methods, improve financial products for survivors, and address needs in underserved communities like rural areas and Indian tribes. It requires the group to report annually to Congress on findings and recommendations for safer, more accessible financial services. The bill directly affects survivors of domestic violence - particularly those experiencing economic abuse - and aims to guide financial institutions in creating more protective services.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program to address social determinants of health - such as housing instability, food insecurity, and transportation access - by funding community-based initiatives. It authorizes $100 million annually (2025-2029) to award grants to state/local health agencies, tribes, and community organizations for evidence-based, cross-sector strategies targeting specific communities with significant health inequities. Grantees must collaborate with health systems, payors, and local groups to collect data, design interventions, and evaluate outcomes, while requiring annual reporting to the CDC. An independent national evaluation will be conducted after five years, with results reported to Congress.
Maddy summaryThe John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2024 updates the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to strengthen protections against voting discrimination. It clarifies how to prove vote dilution, denial, or abridgement claims and expands the types of voting changes requiring federal preclearance, including changes to election methods, boundaries, voter ID requirements, and polling locations. The bill requires states to provide public notice of voting changes at least 48 hours in advance and mandates transparency about demographic data related to polling places. This legislation directly affects states and political subdivisions with a history of voting rights violations, aiming to protect minority voters from discriminatory voting practices.