This resolution supports the designation of Career and Technical Education Month to celebrate career and technical education across the United States.
Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of various crimes related to postal services (for example, assault on a postal service employee, breaking into a post office, or obstruction of mails). The bill also requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide that the assault or robbery of a postal employee shall be treated the same as the assault of a law enforcement officer. Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the USPS to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with electronic versions.
Maddy summaryHR 1046, the Marc Fischer Memorial Act, requires the Bureau of Prisons to implement digital mail scanning technology at all federal prisons to detect fentanyl and other synthetic drugs in inmate mail. It mandates a strategy within 90 days of an evaluation, including 100% scanning of all mail, digital copies of mail to inmates within 24 hours, and physical mail delivery within 30 days for non-contaminated items. The bill directly affects federal prison staff, inmates, and the Bureau of Prisons by aiming to reduce drug-related overdoses and alleviate staff workload tied to mail processing. Implementation must be completed within three years, with annual reports tracking detected drugs and strategy efficiency. The legislation focuses on concrete technological and procedural changes to enhance safety, referencing a successful pilot program at two facilities.
Maddy summaryHR 1057, the Safe Passage on Interstates Act of 2025, creates a new federal criminal offense for intentionally obstructing interstate highways. It makes it illegal to deliberately delay traffic, stand near vehicles, or endanger movement on interstates with the intent to block normal use. The bill directly affects individuals who engage in such obstruction, with penalties including fines up to $15,000 or imprisonment up to 20 years (or life if death results). Exceptions cover lawful activities authorized by federal, state, or local governments. This bill amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code to establish specific penalties for highway obstruction.
Fair Access to Banking Act This bill places restrictions on certain banks, credit unions, and payment card networks if they refuse to do business with a person who complies with the law. Restrictions include prohibiting the use of electronic funds transfer systems and lending programs, termination of an institution's depository insurance, and specified civil penalties. Banks and other specified financial institutions are allowed to deny financial services to a person only if the denial is justified by a documented failure of that person to meet quantitative, impartial, risk-based standards established in advance by the institution. This justification may not be based upon reputational risks to the institution. The bill establishes the right for a person to bring a civil action for a violation of this bill.
Maddy summaryHR 925, the "Dismantle DEI Act of 2025," would eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal government operations. The bill requires federal agencies to close DEI offices, rescind related executive orders, and prohibit the use of federal funds for DEI training, offices, or initiatives. It defines "prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion practice" as any activity that discriminates based on race, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin, or requires employees to complete training asserting that certain groups are inherently superior or inferior. The legislation also prohibits requiring employees to sign statements about race, ethnicity, or gender, and establishes private lawsuits for violations with potential damages of $1,000 per violation per day. This bill would directly affect federal agencies, contractors, grantees, and advisory committees receiving federal funding.
Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act This bill allows the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to assess civil penalties against motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders for violations related to the interstate transportation of household goods and provides states with additional related authorities. As background, a broker is the “middle person” between a shipper and a motor carrier and arranges for the transportation of household goods. A freight forwarder organizes shipments for individuals or corporations. Unlike a broker, freight forwarders assume responsibility for transportation and may transport the freight itself. The bill expands the FMCSA registration requirements to require motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders to designate a principal place of business (i.e., a single physical location where management officials report to work, a significant portion of the transportation business is conducted, and records are maintained). FMCSA may withhold, suspend, amend, or revoke any part of a registration for failure to designate. In addition, brokers and freight forwarders must disclose any common ownership, management, control, or familial relationship with any other carrier, freight forwarder, broker, or applicant in the previous three years. Under current law, motor carriers must disclose this information. Further, states may use certain grant funds to enforce federal household goods statutes and regulations for the interstate transportation of these goods by motor carriers and brokers. This applies to Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) grant funds and MCSAP High Priority discretionary grant funds. A state shall retain collected fines that are a result of enforcement.
Maddy summaryHR 895 requires the Attorney General to investigate whether the 2022 discovery of five baby remains in Washington, DC, violated the existing Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, with a report due within six months. It mandates that healthcare workers must immediately report suspected violations of the ban to law enforcement and requires annual reports from the Attorney General detailing enforcement efforts, violations, and prosecutions over the past decade. The bill also directs the GAO to review enforcement actions from 2004-2024 and submit recommendations. This legislation focuses on strengthening enforcement of the existing 2003 ban, directly affecting healthcare providers, law enforcement, and the Department of Justice.
Maddy summaryHR 882 prohibits states and local jurisdictions from hiring non-U.S. citizens to administer federal elections. It requires all election administrators for federal office (like president or Congress) to be U.S. citizens, applying to elections held on or after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects election officials in all states and localities managing federal races by changing their hiring eligibility rules. The bill does not alter voting rights or election procedures for voters, only the citizenship requirement for those managing the process.
Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 This bill increases certain payment adjustments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for services furnished between April 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026.
