Rep. Becca Balint

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act to exclude specific cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) from SNAP income calculations. It removes from consideration increases in Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or VA benefits that take effect after January 1st of a fiscal year. As a result, households receiving SNAP benefits would no longer see their allotments reduced due to these government-provided income increases. The change applies to income assessed for the entire fiscal year and takes effect October 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' preference for a trade policy that prioritizes American workers, consumers, independent farmers, small businesses, and the environment over corporate interests. It calls for trade agreements to include binding labor and environmental standards, fair wage guarantees, and strict rules of origin to prevent companies from moving jobs overseas. The measure also supports strengthening domestic manufacturing requirements, maintaining tariffs against unfair trade practices, and ensuring that public procurement favors American-made goods. Additionally, it urges the inclusion of provisions to protect data privacy, regulate artificial intelligence, and ensure affordable access to medicine while preventing monopolies.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution expresses the House of Representatives' view that the FDA should regulate mifepristone, a medication used for abortion, based on scientific evidence rather than political pressure. It highlights over 25 years of data showing the drug is safe and effective when prescribed via telemedicine or dispensed by mail and pharmacy. The bill advocates for policies that ensure equitable access to this care, particularly for marginalized communities facing barriers due to state-level restrictions. By citing numerous studies and medical organizations, the resolution calls for transparent, science-based decisions to maintain current access methods.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Our Democracy Act is a comprehensive legislative bill designed to prevent abuses of presidential power, restore checks and balances, and defend elections against foreign interference. Key provisions include prohibiting the President from granting self-pardons, requiring congressional oversight for pardons involving the President or their family, and banning the President from accepting payments from individuals who have received clemency. The bill also strengthens enforcement of the Hatch Act and ethics rules for political appointees, mandates greater transparency in presidential tax returns and campaign finances, and restricts the use of federal property for political conventions. Additionally, it expands reporting requirements for foreign contacts in federal campaigns and imposes stricter penalties for violations of election laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a compensation fund to provide financial support to law enforcement officers who actively defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and suffered injuries, emotional distress, or death as a result. The program is administered by a Special Master appointed by the Attorney General, who will review individual claims for economic and non-economic losses while ignoring any questions of negligence. Eligible officers can receive specific payments for their injuries or the death of a colleague, with a guaranteed minimum of $4.975 million for death claims, plus an additional equal distribution to all qualifying officers regardless of injury status. The legislation also includes provisions to reduce payouts by any other compensation the claimant has already received and grants the federal government the right to recover funds if they are later paid out in related legal settlements.

Maddy summaryThe Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 mandates that all public schools provide free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, regardless of income. It establishes specific funding rates for these meals, adjusts payments based on the use of locally sourced food, and eliminates the ability of schools to collect debt for unpaid charges. Additionally, the bill expands free meal access to summer programs, afterschool care, and incarcerated juveniles while updating poverty measurement standards across various federal education and nutrition laws.

Maddy summaryThe Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026 authorizes billions of dollars in federal funding to expand a program that helps public schools in high-poverty areas provide integrated student supports, extended learning time, and active community engagement. The bill establishes specific roles for coordinators and directors to manage these efforts and requires schools to form leadership teams that include students, parents, educators, and community members. Funding is distributed through competitive grants to local educational agencies, states, and tribal organizations, with priority given to schools serving low-income students and those in rural or tribal areas. The legislation also mandates regular reporting on student outcomes and school climate to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution directs the President to end the use of U.S. military forces in hostilities against Iran unless a formal declaration of war or specific authorization is issued. The measure allows the United States to continue defending itself, its allies, and maintaining a defensive troop presence in the region, while explicitly stating that the resolution does not authorize new military actions. Additionally, the bill clarifies that ending hostilities does not interfere with ongoing intelligence collection, analysis, or sharing activities related to threats from Iran.

Maddy summaryThe Competitive Prices Act modifies how antitrust lawsuits are filed and proven by clarifying the legal standards for alleging price-fixing conspiracies. It allows plaintiffs to establish a claim by showing that companies acted similarly to manipulate prices alongside specific supporting factors, such as motives to coordinate or actions that make no sense unless a conspiracy existed. Under this bill, individuals and organizations do not need to provide direct proof of a secret agreement or prove that independent action was impossible at the early stages of a lawsuit. The law applies to civil cases involving federal agencies, state attorneys general, and private parties seeking damages for violations of antitrust laws.

Maddy summaryThe No WAR Act prohibits Congress from using budget reconciliation procedures to fund military hostilities against Iran unless such actions are explicitly authorized by a formal declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force. This legislation directly affects the legislative process by establishing a point of order that blocks any reconciliation bill attempting to provide budget authority for offensive military operations, strikes, or covert actions targeting Iranian military forces, territory, or government institutions. The bill also defines proxy forces as any foreign military or irregular groups operating with U.S. direction or material support, ensuring these entities are included in the restrictions on unauthorized funding. By amending the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, the measure aims to prevent the use of budgetary shortcuts to bypass the constitutional requirement for congressional approval before engaging in armed conflict with Iran.