Maddy summaryHR 1741, the Veteran Appeals Transparency Act of 2025, requires the Board of Veterans' Appeals to publish weekly online notices showing which cases are assigned to individual Board members for decision that week. This applies to most cases but excludes those advanced under special procedures or remanded by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The notices clarify that assignment does not mean a decision will be issued that week. The bill directly affects veterans navigating appeals by making case assignment timelines publicly visible, aiming to improve transparency in the appeals process.
Rep. Keith Self
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHR 2360 permanently exempts school bus drivers from the engine compartment inspection requirement during their commercial driver's license skills test, which was previously granted as a temporary measure in a 2024 federal notice. This affects school bus drivers in states that choose to participate in the exemption program. For six years after the bill's enactment, participating states must submit annual reports to the Transportation Secretary detailing how many drivers use this exemption. The exemption maintains the specific conditions established in the 2024 notice.
Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025 This bill eliminates the Optional Practical Training Program or any successor program, unless Congress expressly authorizes such a program. (The program provides an F-1 student visa holder temporary employment authorization before or after completion of the student's studies, or both.)
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits doctors from performing abortions based solely on a Down syndrome diagnosis. It requires providers to ask patients about such diagnoses before an abortion and inform them of the ban. Violations could result in criminal penalties (up to 5 years in prison) or civil lawsuits seeking damages for the patient or family. The law applies to all abortions performed in the U.S. or transported across state lines for this specific purpose. It does not restrict other abortion procedures or create a new right to abortion.
Maddy summaryThis bill would change work requirements for food stamp benefits (SNAP) and establish new work requirements for Medicaid. For SNAP, it removes exemptions for people over 60 and adds exemptions for children under 6. For Medicaid, it requires adults to work 80 hours per month, do community service, or join a work program to maintain coverage, with exemptions for pregnant people, caregivers of young children, students, and others. States could stop Medicaid benefits for individuals who fail to meet this requirement for three consecutive months.
Maddy summaryHRES 229 is a formal House resolution impeaching Chief Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It accuses him of abusing judicial power by interfering with President Trump's enforcement of immigration policies under the Alien Enemies Act, specifically blocking efforts to remove aliens linked to the Tren de Aragua terrorist group and ordering planes to turn around midair. The resolution claims these actions violated separation of powers by second-guessing the President's constitutional authority without judicial authority. This is a procedural impeachment resolution pending Senate action, not a law affecting the public.
Maddy summaryHR 2202 prohibits federal funds from being used for gender transition procedures or health plans covering them in federal programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. It does not ban these procedures but restricts federal subsidies, requiring individuals to pay for such coverage using non-federal funds (e.g., out-of-pocket or private insurance not tied to federal programs). The bill defines gender transition procedures broadly to include hormonal treatments and surgeries (e.g., mastectomy, hysterectomy), with exceptions for medically necessary treatments related to disorders of sex development or complications from such procedures. It also clarifies that ACA premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions cannot apply to plans covering these procedures, though separate non-federal-funded coverage remains an option.
Maddy summaryThis bill protects pregnancy centers that provide non-abortion services from federal discrimination. It prohibits government entities and recipients of federal funds from forcing these centers to offer, refer for, or promote abortions, or from restricting their life-affirming services like pregnancy testing, counseling, or baby supplies. The law creates a legal path for affected centers to sue if they face retaliation for declining abortion-related activities. It amends federal health law to explicitly shield such organizations from being penalized for their stance.
Maddy summaryHRES 224 is a symbolic resolution (not a binding bill) expressing support for recognizing "Detransition Awareness Day." It urges the development of policies ensuring mental health services for people experiencing discomfort with their sex, advocating for informed consent processes about gender-affirming medical procedures, and extending medical malpractice statute of limitations. The resolution also calls for removing damage caps in malpractice claims related to such procedures and requests the Department of Health and Human Services review care guidelines. It has no legal effect but aims to foster public understanding of detransition experiences and promote ethical medical standards.
Maddy summaryThe Stop CCP VISAs Act of 2025 would prohibit U.S. visas for Chinese citizens seeking to study or conduct research in the United States. It specifically blocks the issuance of F-1 (academic student), J-1 (exchange visitor), and M-1 (vocational student) visas for these purposes. This bill directly affects Chinese nationals who otherwise qualify for these student visa categories at U.S. educational institutions. The policy change would amend immigration law to implement this visa ban.