Rep. John B. Larson

Maddy summaryHRES 216 is a resolution condemning the leadership of the House Republican Conference for allowing a social media post that falsely questioned the immigration status and patriotism of Congressman Adriano Espaillat (Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus). The resolution specifically names House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and other top Republican leaders as responsible for the post. It characterizes the post as xenophobic and inappropriate, stating such rhetoric violates the standards of conduct expected of members of Congress.

Maddy summaryHR 2029, the "Stop Comstock Act," amends federal obscenity laws to remove outdated restrictions on abortion and contraception. It deletes references to "indecent" materials and abortion-related language from Title 18 (e.g., removing "or means for procuring abortion" from section 552 and revising definitions in sections 1461 and 1462). The bill clarifies that federal law does not prohibit the distribution of materials related to abortion or contraceptives, updating how "obscene" is defined. These changes directly affect federal enforcement of obscenity laws, particularly regarding medical information and devices. The bill focuses on modernizing statutory language to align with current legal standards for protected speech and healthcare access.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i.e., breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body). Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Under current law, individuals generally must wait 5 months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.

Resident Education Deferred Interest Act or the REDI Act This bill allows borrowers in medical or dental internships or residency programs to defer student loan payments until the completion of their programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to transition its workforce from a special personnel management system to the standard federal personnel system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by December 31, 2025. It protects TSA employees by ensuring no reduction in pay, benefits, or retirement rights during the transition, while preserving collective bargaining rights for screening agents. The legislation also mandates consultation with labor unions during the process and requires several reports on workforce issues including recruitment, harassment policies, and workplace safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how individual investors in mutual funds (regulated investment companies) are taxed on certain dividends. It allows investors to defer paying tax on capital gain dividends that are automatically reinvested in additional fund shares through a dividend reinvestment plan. The deferred tax is recognized later when the investor sells shares or upon their death. It also establishes that shares acquired through this reinvestment are treated as held for over one year from the start, potentially qualifying for long-term capital gains rates. The rule applies only to individual investors (not estates, trusts, or dependents claimed by others).

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing services for beneficiaries 65 and older (and some younger people with disabilities), effective January 1, 2026. It would provide 100% coverage for preventative dental services in 2026, with basic and major dental services gradually increasing to 80% coverage by 2029. Vision benefits would include 80% coverage for annual eye exams and specific limits on eyeglasses, frames, and contact lenses ($100 per year for lenses, $100 every two years for frames, $200 every two years for contacts). Hearing services would include 80% coverage for hearing exams and hearing aids, with a limit of one hearing aid per ear every 48 months. The bill also adds oral health professionals to the United States Preventive Services Task Force to help guide coverage decisions.

Maddy summaryHR 2033, the Military Spouse Hiring Act, expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include spouses of active-duty military personnel. It adds "qualified military spouse" as an eligible category for the tax credit, meaning employers who hire such spouses can claim the credit. A "qualified military spouse" is defined as someone certified by a local agency as married to an active-duty service member at the time of hire. The credit applies to hires occurring after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects military spouses seeking employment and employers hiring them, providing a tax incentive to encourage their hiring.

Maddy summaryHR 1990, the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025, amends tax rules for businesses to make research and development (R&D) costs more flexible. It allows companies to deduct R&D expenses immediately as business costs (instead of capitalizing them) or to spread these costs over a minimum 60-month period. The bill clarifies which R&D expenses qualify, excludes land improvements and mineral exploration costs, and ensures companies can claim R&D tax credits without conflict with expense treatment. This directly affects businesses that conduct R&D, changing how they account for these costs on tax returns starting for 2022 taxable years.

Maddy summaryThe Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2025 aims to increase landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program, which helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing in the private market. The bill creates new incentives including one-time payments to landlords (up to 200% of monthly rent) for renting to voucher holders in low-poverty areas (census tracts with poverty rates below 20%), security deposit assistance for tenants, and bonus payments to public housing agencies that employ dedicated landlord liaisons. It establishes a $100 million annual fund for these initiatives and requires annual reports on the program's effectiveness in expanding housing options in high-opportunity neighborhoods. These changes directly affect landlords, voucher recipients, and public housing agencies administering the program.