Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

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 FIGHT China Act of 2025 restricts U.S. investments in Chinese companies with ties to China's military or surveillance sectors. It prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions involving "prohibited technologies" such as advanced semiconductors (with specific technical specifications), AI systems, quantum computing, and hypersonic weapons, while requiring notification for certain "notifiable technology" investments. The bill mandates that U.S. investors divest from companies on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List within one year of enactment. It establishes a process for identifying Chinese entities subject to these restrictions, with annual reports to Congress required for seven years.

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.

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 amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat income from precious metals the same as income from foreign currencies for regulated investment companies (RICs), such as mutual funds. Specifically, it adds "precious metals" to the list of assets exempt from certain tax rules under Section 851(b)(2)(A). This change directly affects RICs that hold precious metals (like gold or silver) as part of their investment portfolios, aligning their tax treatment with that of foreign currency holdings. The policy shift removes a prior distinction in how RICs are taxed on income generated from these assets. The amendment applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

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 creates Medicare payment incentives for primary care providers who integrate behavioral health services into their practice. It boosts payments for specific behavioral health services (using HCPCS codes like 99484, 99492, and 99493) to 125-175% of standard rates during 2027-2029, waiving budget neutrality rules to allow these higher payments. The bill also requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to provide technical assistance to primary care practices adopting integration models by 2026, using new funding for fiscal years 2025-2029. It directly affects Medicare providers delivering these integrated care services and aims to expand access to combined mental and physical health care.

Maddy summaryThe PRICE Act establishes a federal grant program to improve affordable manufactured housing communities, primarily benefiting low- and moderate-income residents living in these communities. Eligible recipients - including resident-owned cooperatives, local governments, community development organizations, and tribal entities - can apply for competitive grants to fund infrastructure upgrades, housing repairs, weatherization, accessibility improvements, and resident services like eviction prevention. Grants prioritize projects that preserve long-term affordability and enhance safety and living conditions, with funds authorized through annual appropriations and a set-aside for tribal communities. The program aims to support sustainable community development while maintaining housing affordability standards.

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.