Rep. Deborah K. Ross

Maddy summaryThe Federal Workforce Reproductive Rights Protection Act prevents federal agencies from relocating headquarters or major operations to states with laws restricting or banning abortion, while also barring the use of funds to build or lease facilities in those locations. To support federal employees who need to access reproductive health care, the bill allows workers to decline transfers to restrictive states, grants up to 21 days of paid leave for travel to obtain such services, and provides reimbursement for travel costs without requiring disclosure of the specific medical procedure. Additionally, the legislation prohibits government agencies from investigating an employee's use of abortion services when reviewing security clearances or making personnel decisions and protects workers from retaliation if they exercise these new rights.

Maddy summaryThe Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to increase financial aid for college students by raising the maximum Pell Grant amount to $15,000 by the 2031-2032 award year and ensuring the program is fully funded through mandatory spending rather than annual appropriations. The bill also expands eligibility for students who receive means-tested government benefits by automatically assigning them a lower financial need score, while simultaneously allowing Dreamer students - undocumented immigrants who meet specific criteria such as graduating high school or serving in the military - to qualify for federal aid. Additional provisions restore the total number of semesters a student can receive Pell Grants from 12 to 18 and adjust the rules for satisfactory academic progress to reduce penalties for students who struggle to meet grade requirements. Finally, the legislation restores Pell Grant eligibility for some students who previously received outside scholarships and sets the law's effective date for July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating June 2026 as Black Music Month to honor the historical and cultural significance of Black contributions to American music. It acknowledges the wide-ranging influence of Black music across various genres and its central role in the nation's history, including the civil rights movement. The bill calls on the public to celebrate this month by promoting diversity, performing Black music, and spreading awareness of its legacy.

Maddy summaryThe All in For Attendance Act aims to reduce chronic student absenteeism by requiring schools to implement specific support strategies for students missing 10 percent or more of school days. It mandates the creation of data systems to track attendance reasons, establishes advisory programs to engage families, and requires schools to partner with community organizations to remove barriers like transportation or health issues. The legislation also prohibits schools from using suspensions, fines, or academic penalties as punishment for student absences. Additionally, it directs funds toward evidence-based interventions such as social and emotional learning programs, restorative justice, and high-impact tutoring to improve student engagement and attendance.

Maddy summaryThe Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 allows independent musicians and small music businesses to collectively negotiate licensing terms with large online music platforms without facing antitrust lawsuits. This protection applies specifically to creators who earn less than $1 million in licensing revenue or qualify as small businesses, enabling them to form groups to discuss fair rates and refuse unfair deals. The law defines "dominant platforms" as those generating over $100 million in music distribution revenue and extends these negotiation rights to include discussions with companies developing generative artificial intelligence. By shielding these groups from legal liability, the bill aims to correct an imbalance where smaller creators currently lack the power to bargain effectively against major digital services.

Maddy summaryThe POWER Moldova Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress within 180 days detailing Moldova's energy landscape and security cooperation with the United States. This report must cover energy production and pricing transparency, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and ongoing military training and interoperability efforts between the two nations. Additionally, the bill assesses the potential for developing renewable energy sources like geothermal, solar, and wind power in Moldova, including the investment needs and barriers to deployment. The legislation reflects Congress's view that the U.S. and Moldova have strengthened their strategic partnership over the last three decades, particularly in response to regional security challenges.

Maddy summaryThe Puerto Rico Democratic Self-Determination Act establishes a mandatory, two-round plebiscite in 2027 to allow eligible voters in Puerto Rico to choose among four political status options: independence, current Commonwealth status, statehood, or sovereignty in free association with the United States. If a majority vote is not achieved in the initial election, a runoff will be held to select between the two most popular choices, with the results triggering specific transition procedures for each outcome. Under the independence and free association paths, the bill outlines steps for drafting a new constitution, electing officers, and a presidential proclamation that would transfer sovereignty and end U.S. territorial control. For the statehood option, the President would issue a proclamation admitting Puerto Rico as the 51st state, while the Commonwealth option would create a joint commission to negotiate reforms to the current relationship. The legislation also details how federal laws, including tax codes and immigration rules, would change depending on the chosen status and ensures that existing economic benefits and social security rights are protected during any transition.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a five-year demonstration program to fund projects that improve mentorship practices for faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. It allows the National Science Foundation to award grants to universities and nonprofit organizations for initiatives focused on building mentoring skills, training cultural competencies, and researching better mentorship methods, with special priority given to minority-serving and rural institutions. Additionally, the legislation updates reporting requirements to include institutional processes for addressing harassment, discrimination, and professional misconduct. The program is authorized to receive up to $5 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with a requirement to report on its effectiveness after five years.

Maddy summaryThe Celiac Safety Act of 2026 officially classifies gluten-containing grains as a major food allergen under federal law, directly impacting the food industry and individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. This change requires manufacturers to label products containing wheat, rye, barley, or their crossbred hybrids with the same prominence as other major allergens like milk. The new labeling requirements will not take effect until 18 months after the law is enacted, giving businesses time to adjust their packaging and production processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act, modifies how the United States evaluates foreign countries' efforts to combat human trafficking. It requires these nations to demonstrate serious and sustained actions, such as banning the purchase of commercial sex acts, educating buyers about exploitation, and reducing international sex tourism. These new criteria will be used in future annual reports to determine whether a country meets the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. Consequently, the bill directly affects how the U.S. government assesses and categorizes the anti-trafficking progress of other nations.