Rep. Cleo Fields

Maddy summaryThe Housing for All Act of 2025 creates new funding streams and expands existing housing programs to address housing shortages and homelessness. It authorizes $45 billion annually for a Housing Trust Fund, $40 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and $14.5 billion for project-based rental assistance. The bill expands the housing choice voucher program by 500,000 vouchers in 2025, increasing to 1 million by 2028, and establishes new programs including Safe Parking Programs, Eviction Protection Grants, and Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams. The legislation also creates a racial equity commission to address housing disparities and requires reports on eviction data and inclusive transit-oriented development.

Maddy summaryHR 2928, the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act, provides temporary payment relief for homeowners and renters with federally backed mortgages in areas affected by federally declared disasters. Borrowers with damaged or destroyed properties can request an 180-day pause on mortgage payments (extendable by another 180 days) from their loan servicer by submitting written requests and proof of property damage. During this relief period, no fees, penalties, or additional interest accrue beyond what would have been due under the original loan terms. This applies to loans backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or similar programs, including both single-family and multifamily residential properties.

Maddy summaryHR 2950, the Disaster Relief Transparency Act, requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to explain how it distributes disaster relief funds to states, tribes, territories, and local governments. Specifically, HUD must submit annual reports detailing the process for allocating funds from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Programs, including why allocations may vary between funding years. The first report must be submitted within 90 days of the bill’s enactment, examining funds from fiscal years 2024 and 2025, with subsequent reports due annually. These reports aim to improve the clarity and consistency of how disaster relief funds are distributed.

Maddy summaryHR 2947, the Deafblind DATA Act, requires the U.S. Census Bureau to publish an annual data table starting in 2026 showing individuals who reported both hearing and vision loss in the American Community Survey. The table will include demographic details (sex, race, age) and economic factors (employment, education, income, poverty status) for people in each state, without revealing personal identifiers. This bill directly addresses the lack of centralized data on the deafblind population (estimated at 10,000 children and 40,000 adults by the National Center on Deafblindness), which currently prevents accurate service planning. The Census Bureau must also report to Congress within 180 days on feasibility of expanding such data collection. The Act does not change existing services but aims to improve understanding of this population's needs through better data.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to explicitly include accounting education as part of a well-rounded K-12 curriculum. It requires schools to develop and strengthen programs teaching accounting, including increasing access to high-quality accounting courses for students from groups historically underrepresented in accounting careers. The key provision inserts specific language into existing law, directing schools to promote accounting career awareness and expand course availability through grade 12. This directly affects K-12 students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, by making accounting education a recognized component of career-focused learning.

Maddy summaryHR 2880 provides due process protections for federal employees who are promoted to career positions (in the competitive service, excepted service, or Senior Executive Service) and serve under a probationary period. It requires these employees to be covered by existing federal employment laws, including special protections for Department of Veterans Affairs staff. The bill also allows employees removed from such positions between January 20, 2025, and the law's enactment to be reinstated to their former or equivalent role with backpay. Political appointees are excluded from these protections and reinstatement provisions.

Maddy summaryThe Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act (HR 2904) aims to reduce mental health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority groups by modifying federal grant programs, requiring research on disparities, and funding targeted initiatives. It directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to prioritize grants for community health organizations serving minority populations, mandates a National Institutes of Health study on mental health research gaps in these groups, and establishes training programs for health professionals to address cultural competency in mental health care. The bill also requires a public outreach strategy developed with community input to reduce stigma and improve access to culturally appropriate care, alongside $20 million annually (2026-2031) for this effort. Additional funding includes $150 million yearly for NIH mental health research and $750 million yearly for the National Institute on Minority Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through December 31, 2026, maintaining existing coverage for policyholders. It directly affects homeowners and businesses in flood-prone areas who rely on NFIP policies to protect against flood damage. The key change modifies two provisions in the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, updating the program's expiration date from September 30, 2023, to December 31, 2026. The bill does not alter the program's structure or benefits, only its operational timeline.

Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act of 2025 or the SOAR Act of 2025 This bill establishes certain requirements with respect to the payment and provision of supplemental oxygen and related services under Medicare. For example, the bill provides for separate payments, indexed to inflation, of oxygen and related equipment, supplies, and services under Medicare (rather than under the competitive acquisition program). It also specifically covers services that are provided by respiratory therapists under Medicare and provides for an additional payment adjustment for these services. Additionally, the bill (1) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop an electronic template for providers to use when prescribing oxygen and related equipment, supplies, and services; and (2) establishes certain rights for beneficiaries receiving these items and services, such as the right to choose their suppliers and to receive clear communications and be informed about the services provided.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 315) is a purely commemorative measure that formally recognizes the 159th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. It acknowledges the historical significance of the 1866 Act as the first federal law defining citizenship and affirming equal legal protection for all Americans, regardless of race. The resolution highlights the Act's role as a foundational precedent for the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy impact on any individuals or groups.