Sen. Ben Ray Luján

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Major Richard Star Act (S 1032), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both their military retired pay and Veterans Affairs disability compensation simultaneously. It amends U.S. Code sections to remove the automatic reduction in retired pay that previously forced these veterans to choose between the two payments. The key change ensures veterans with combat-related disabilities qualify for full retired pay without offset against their VA disability benefits, effective for payments starting after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects veterans receiving military retired pay under Chapter 61 who also qualify for VA disability compensation for combat-related injuries.

Maddy summaryThe Putting Veterans First Act of 2025 protects veterans, military spouses, caregivers, survivors, and reserve component members who work in federal civil service. It requires the reinstatement of those removed, demoted, or suspended between January 20, 2025 and the bill's enactment date, with back pay and restored benefits. The bill also establishes protections against future removals without proper justification, mandates regular reporting on military community employment, and restricts changes to VA operations like office closures, hiring freezes, and telework policies without congressional notice. Additionally, it requires VA to restore canceled contracts and improve transparency through weekly workload reports and published wait times for community care.

Maddy summaryThe HELPER Act of 2025 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and teachers, allowing them to purchase homes with no down payment. It defines "first responders" as full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and K-12 teachers employed by government or accredited schools. The program requires applicants to be first-time homebuyers with 4 years of recent employment in their field, complete housing counseling, and intend to remain in their role for at least one year after closing. Mortgages under this program must be used for a primary residence, cover 100% of the home's appraised value, and exclude monthly insurance premiums.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program to provide grants to spaceport operators for improving transportation infrastructure at or near launch/reentry sites. Operators receive grants based on their licensed launch activity ($250,000 per licensed launch, $100,000 per permit), with a maximum $2.5 million annual grant per operator. Supplemental grants (up to 50% of the primary grant) are available if states or private entities match funds. The program runs until 2030 and requires infrastructure projects to directly support transportation safety and be generally accessible, with total annual funding capped at $20 million.

Safe Schools Improvement Act This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, disability, religion, or sex. Sex includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (including intersex traits). Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill transitions Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees from TSA-specific personnel systems to the standard federal system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, requiring completion by December 31, 2025. It prohibits changes to current TSA personnel policies during transition, ensures no reduction in pay or benefits for employees, and preserves collective bargaining rights for screening agents. The bill mandates annual reports on workforce satisfaction, retention rates, and actions to improve morale, as well as reports on recruitment, diversity, and workplace safety to Congress. It includes specific protections for Federal Air Marshals regarding mental health, suicide rates, and workplace conditions. The TSA must submit detailed implementation plans to Congress within 7 days of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes a federal program supporting pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders. It increases annual funding from $29.9 million to $38.9 million for fiscal years 2025-2029, updates terminology to "health care services," and requires applicants to include outreach plans targeting women disproportionately impacted by maternal substance use disorder. The program directly affects eligible women seeking treatment during pregnancy and postpartum, ensuring continued access to care through expanded funding and targeted outreach. The changes apply to the existing Public Health Service Act program (Section 508) without altering its core purpose.

Maddy summaryThe Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025 establishes new fees and royalties for hardrock mining operations on federal land. Mining claim holders must pay $200 annually per claim, and operators pay a 5-8% royalty on mineral production. The bill creates a Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund to which these fees and royalties will be deposited for reclaiming abandoned mine sites. It also establishes new permit requirements for mineral exploration and mining, along with financial assurance requirements to ensure reclamation. These provisions directly affect mining operators on federal lands, requiring them to comply with new fee structures, permit processes, and reclamation obligations.

Maddy summaryThe American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2025 aims to increase housing affordability and accessibility through multiple provisions. It expands Fair Housing protections to include gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, source of income, and veteran status, making discrimination based on these characteristics illegal. The bill includes significant funding mechanisms for affordable housing infrastructure and requires twice as many accessible dwelling units in housing assisted under the Act. It also makes substantial changes to estate tax rules, including higher tax rates for large estates and elimination of certain exemptions. These provisions collectively seek to reduce housing discrimination, increase access to affordable housing, and generate revenue for housing programs.

Maddy summaryThe HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes the HOME program with increased funding, authorizing $5 billion for fiscal year 2025 and increasing to $6.08 billion by 2029. The bill modifies program administration by increasing the percentage for program administration resources from 10% to 15%, eliminates a commitment deadline, and establishes a new home loan guarantee program with a $2 billion cap for 2025. It also reforms homeownership resale restrictions to better protect long-term affordability, adds requirements for property inspections, and strengthens enforcement for noncompliance with program rules. Specific provisions include alternative requirements for small-scale housing (with 4 or fewer units) and enhanced tenant protections for this housing type.