Rep. Chellie Pingree

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026, makes two main changes to federal healthcare programs. First, it allows Medicaid to cover foot and ankle care services provided by podiatric physicians, ensuring patients have access to this specialized care. Second, it updates Medicare rules to clarify documentation requirements for diabetic shoes, specifying conditions under which patients can receive extra-depth or custom-molded footwear. The changes take effect on January 1, 2026, for Medicaid services and January 1, 2028, for Medicare shoe coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2026, would prevent federal agencies from blocking the sale of unpasteurized milk and milk products across state lines. It allows such products to be shipped interstate if they are packaged for direct human consumption, produced in a state that permits their sale, and intended for another state that also allows their distribution. The legislation defines specific terms like "cowshare" to include ownership interests in dairy animals and clarifies what constitutes pasteurization. Importantly, the bill does not override state laws and only restricts federal interference when the product meets the stated conditions.

This concurrent resolution directs the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of the Iranian government or military unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted. The resolution specifies that it shall not be construed to prevent the United States from defending itself from imminent attack.

Maddy summaryHRES 1107 is a House resolution urging the President to issue a proclamation flying the U.S. flag at half-staff to honor Rev. Jesse Jackson. The resolution recognizes his civil rights leadership, including founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and his presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, which advanced racial equality and economic justice. This symbolic gesture directly affects the President (as the one who would issue the proclamation) and the public, who would observe the flag at half-staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026, requires most health insurance plans to cover HIV prevention medication without charging patients any out-of-pocket costs. It directly affects people with private insurance, government health programs like Medicare and Medicaid, military health care, and the Indian Health Service. The law mandates that insurance companies cannot require pre-approval for these medications, cannot charge deductibles or copayments for them, and cannot deny or charge higher premiums for life, disability, or long-term care insurance based on someone taking HIV prevention medication. The bill also creates a new public education campaign to increase awareness about HIV prevention options and provides federal funding to states and community organizations to expand access to these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026, updates eligibility rules and benefit amounts for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides financial assistance to low-income elderly, blind, and disabled individuals. Key changes include raising income and resource limits to help more people qualify, adjusting benefit calculations to better reflect poverty guidelines, and extending the program to U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and Guam. The legislation also removes certain financial penalties, excludes retirement accounts and tribal welfare payments from eligibility calculations, and clarifies how state tax credits are treated when determining income.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online system allowing taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. The legislation prohibits the Treasury Department from entering into agreements that restrict its ability to provide tax preparation or filing services, and it voids any existing contracts with such restrictions. The program would use IRS data to simplify filing, include customer support, be available in multiple languages, and allow users to file even if they are not required to. It also enables taxpayers in participating states to file state and local returns alongside their federal returns, with funding provided to states that meet certain standards.

Maddy summaryThe DISCLOSE Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency in election spending and prevent foreign influence. It expands the ban on foreign money to cover federal, state, and local elections, including ballot initiatives and judicial nominations, and criminalizes using corporations to conceal these funds. The bill mandates that organizations spending over $10,000 on campaign-related activities, such as independent expenditures or judicial nomination advocacy, disclose their beneficial owners and top donors. Additionally, it establishes new "Stand By Every Ad" disclaimers for political communications, requiring the highest-ranking official to approve the message and, for certain ads, list their top funders. These provisions directly affect non-candidate organizations, individuals involved in political and judicial nomination spending, and foreign nationals.

Maddy summaryHR 7803, the "Save Medicare Act," renames Medicare Advantage plans to "Alternative Private Health Plan" for all federal references, including in the Social Security Act. It requires health plans to stop using "Medicare" in their titles after enactment, imposing a $100,000 civil penalty per violation. The change applies to all Part C Medicare plans and mandates a full transition by October 15, 2023, with a temporary period allowing both terms to be used during the switch. This bill directly affects private health insurers offering Medicare Part C plans and federal agencies managing Medicare programs. The policy change is solely about terminology, not benefits or coverage.

Maddy summaryHR 7743, the Stop ICE Intimidation Act of 2026, prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from spending funds on biometric surveillance systems, related contracts, or hiring additional ICE personnel until a detailed report is submitted to Congress. The required report must establish policies banning ICE from using surveillance systems to collect data on individuals exercising constitutional rights (like free speech), and must include rules for data storage, retention, access, and notification for affected individuals. The bill also explicitly prevents using federal funds to restrict people from recording or documenting ICE enforcement operations, as long as such actions don’t interfere with operations. This bill directly affects ICE’s operational funding and data practices, and impacts individuals whose constitutional rights could be monitored under current ICE surveillance systems.