Rep. Julia Letlow

Maddy summaryHR 3694, the VALID Act of 2025, requires lenders to include specific information about VA loans in mortgage disclosures. It amends the National Housing Act to mandate that disclosures state the loan-to-value ratio and clarify that VA loans are available under Chapter 37 of Title 38 (veterans' benefits law), assuming prevailing interest rates. The bill also requires the Federal Housing Finance Agency to add a military service question to the Uniform Residential Loan Application form, placing it above the signature line within six months of enactment. This directly affects veterans and active-duty service members applying for VA-guaranteed mortgages, as well as the lenders processing those applications.

Maddy summaryHR 3608, "Connor’s Law," requires commercial motor vehicle operators (like truck and bus drivers) to read and speak English well enough to converse with the public, understand English traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete reports. The bill adds this language requirement to existing federal safety rules for commercial drivers. Drivers found noncompliant with this rule would face an "out of service" order, meaning they cannot operate their vehicle until they meet the requirement. This directly affects commercial drivers operating in the U.S. under federal safety regulations.

Maddy summaryThe DEFIANCE Act of 2025 creates a new civil legal remedy for victims of non-consensual intimate digital forgeries (synthetic images or videos manipulating real people into sexual contexts without consent). It allows affected individuals to sue perpetrators in federal court for damages up to $250,000, injunctions to remove content, and privacy protections like pseudonyms. The bill specifically covers cases where forgeries are created or shared with intent to disclose, including scenarios involving sexual assault or harassment. It expands existing federal protections under 15 U.S.C. 6851 to address digital forgeries while ensuring state laws remain in effect.

Maddy summaryHRES 421 is a resolution memorializing 345 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty during 2024, listing each officer's name. It expresses the House of Representatives' support for law enforcement, acknowledges the sacrifice of these officers, and recognizes the need for adequate resources to protect officers while they serve the public. The resolution also extends condolences to the families of fallen officers. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal tribute.

Maddy summaryHR 3324, the Safer Shrimp Imports Act, requires foreign countries exporting shrimp to the U.S. to meet specific food safety standards. It mandates that foreign governments enter agreements with the FDA within 180 days of the bill’s enactment, and shrimp from countries without such agreements or with inadequate food inspection systems will be refused entry one year after enactment. The law defines "equivalent" food inspection systems as those with sufficient staffing for uniform enforcement and regulations covering shrimp farming and transport conditions. This directly affects shrimp importers and foreign facilities manufacturing, processing, or holding shrimp for U.S. consumption.

Maddy summaryThis resolution blocks a Department of Energy rule that would have set new energy efficiency standards for gas-fired instant water heaters. It prevents the rule from taking effect, meaning appliance manufacturers would not have to meet the proposed efficiency requirements. The rule, submitted in December 2024, directly affected manufacturers of these water heaters and consumers purchasing them. Congress approved this disapproval through a joint resolution passed on May 9, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 3277, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act, requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover medically necessary outpatient and inpatient treatments for congenital anomalies or birth defects primarily affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This includes reconstructive procedures, dental/orthodontic support during treatment, and follow-up care, but excludes purely cosmetic surgery not tied to a medical diagnosis. Cost-sharing (like copays) for these services must not be stricter than for other medical benefits. The law takes effect for plan years beginning January 1, 2026, and mandates insurers to provide notice about this coverage to beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to help states create or improve paid family leave programs that provide at least 6 weeks of paid leave for new parents (for birth or adoption). States with existing programs can apply for grants to fund implementation, improve access for low-income workers, and coordinate with other states through a new Interstate Paid Leave Action Network. The grants can be used for program design, technology, outreach, and administrative costs, with states required to meet specific benefit standards including income-based calculations (higher percentages for lower-income workers). The bill aims to increase access to paid family leave for workers across states by standardizing and coordinating state programs through the new interstate network.

Maddy summaryThe I-PLAN Act of 2025 establishes an Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (I-PLAN) to coordinate state paid family and medical leave programs across state lines. It requires participating states to develop a standardized interstate agreement covering key elements like benefit calculations, eligibility rules, and administrative processes to simplify compliance for employers and employees working in multiple states. The bill creates a national intermediary to support I-PLAN activities, including developing technology systems for processing cross-state leave claims and producing annual reports comparing state programs. States with existing paid leave programs can receive federal grants to help implement the agreement and cover administrative costs, with funding authorized for fiscal years 2026-2028. This legislation directly affects states, employers operating across state lines, and employees who work in multiple states.

Maddy summaryThe BUILD Act of 2025 creates two federal grant programs to help small communities improve public safety infrastructure. It provides up to $4 million per project for law enforcement agencies serving communities under 50,000 residents to upgrade facilities focused on emergency services, officer training, recruitment, or community safety. Similarly, it offers grants for fire departments (career, combination, or volunteer) in the same size communities to enhance facilities for firefighting, emergency medical services, personnel training, or community safety. The bill authorizes $250 million annually from 2026 through 2028 for each program and requires annual reports on grant usage and infrastructure needs.