Maddy summaryThe Fairness to Freedom Act of 2026 establishes a new independent Office of Immigration Representation to guarantee government-funded legal counsel for individuals who cannot afford an attorney in immigration proceedings. This right applies broadly to removal, exclusion, and bond hearings, requiring that legal representation be appointed within 24 hours of detention or before any proceeding begins. The bill creates a decentralized system involving local boards and public defender organizations to manage case assignments, while ensuring that appointed attorneys receive compensation comparable to federal prosecutors. Additionally, the legislation mandates minimum funding levels for the new office based on a specific ratio relative to federal immigration enforcement budgets and prevents the use of seeking this legal aid as a factor in "public charge" determinations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe INSPIRES Act authorizes the Department of Education to provide funding for the modernization, renovation, or construction of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) facilities in public schools and career and technical education institutions. The bill establishes two primary grant programs: one that allocates funds to states to subgrant to local agencies for upgrading rural and Native American-serving schools, and another that offers direct grants, loan guarantees, or interest payments to eligible entities for broader STEM and vocational facility improvements. To receive these federal funds, states must contribute a 25 percent non-federal match, while local agencies receiving subgrants are required to provide a 10 percent match, with priority given to applicants who form public-private partnerships. The legislation authorizes at least $25 million annually for each program starting in fiscal year 2027 and requires the Secretary of Education to report biennially on how these facility upgrades impact student academic achievement.
Maddy summaryThe COWS Act of 2026 amends the Food Security Act to expand federal conservation programs by formally recognizing alternative manure management practices and on-farm composting as eligible activities for financial assistance. These provisions directly affect dairy and livestock producers, particularly small and medium-sized operations, who can receive payments covering up to 100% of the costs associated with planning, equipment, installation, and labor for these new practices. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize applications that maximize greenhouse gas reductions and carbon sequestration while ensuring geographic diversity and support for beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers. Additionally, it allows groups of producers to submit joint applications for shared composting facilities and mandates the development of new conservation standards specifically for on-farm compost production within one year of enactment.
Maddy summaryThe Fairness for Farm Workers Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to extend overtime protections to agricultural workers, who are currently largely exempt from these requirements. The bill establishes a phased schedule requiring employers to pay farm workers time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond a threshold that decreases from 55 hours per week in 2027 to the standard 40 hours by 2030. Small farms with 25 or fewer employees are granted an additional three-year grace period, reaching full compliance by 2033. Additionally, the legislation removes several existing exemptions that allow agricultural employers to bypass federal wage and hour standards, ensuring broader coverage for workers in the sector.
Maddy summaryThe Supporting Our Farm and Food System Workforce Act establishes a new Office of the Farm and Food System Workforce within the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve access to federal programs for workers involved in food production, processing, and related services. This office will be led by a Coordinator who works with an Advisory Committee composed of farmworkers, labor unions, civil rights representatives, and nonprofit organizations to ensure worker perspectives are integrated into departmental policies. Additionally, the bill creates an Interagency Council that includes representatives from ten other federal departments to coordinate cross-agency efforts addressing worker safety, health, and economic opportunities. The legislation mandates annual reports to Congress in multiple languages and authorizes appropriations for these new initiatives through fiscal year 2031.
Maddy summaryThe Voice for Farm Workers Act expands the role of the Farmworker Coordinator within the Department of Agriculture to better support agricultural employees and rural communities. The bill authorizes the Coordinator to hire necessary staff and extend their term of service through 2031. Key provisions require the Coordinator to assess the effectiveness of federal outreach programs, coordinate services across various USDA agencies, and publicize information about available benefits for farmworkers. Additionally, the legislation directs the Coordinator to identify research priorities focused on workforce stability and economic resilience while recommending new initiatives to the Secretary of Agriculture.
Maddy summaryThe Green New Deal for Public Housing Act directs federal funds to public housing agencies and tribal entities to rehabilitate, modernize, and electrify the nation's public housing stock into zero-carbon homes within ten years. The bill establishes grant programs that require recipients to conduct deep energy retrofits, install renewable energy systems, upgrade water quality infrastructure, and provide high-speed internet access to residents. In exchange for these funds, agencies must commit to maintaining their total number of housing units, ensuring displaced residents can return to their original projects, and adhering to strict labor standards that prioritize hiring low-income individuals and supporting resident-owned businesses. Additionally, the legislation strengthens tenant participation by mandating the formation of elected resident councils in larger developments and providing stipends for volunteer officers who help manage community operations.
Maddy summaryThe Momnibus Act is a comprehensive legislative package designed to address maternal health disparities by expanding access to care, improving data collection, and funding community-based interventions for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Key provisions include extending WIC nutrition benefits for new mothers from six months to two years, establishing a federal task force to coordinate efforts across government agencies, and creating grant programs to support social determinants of health such as housing, transportation, and mental health services. The bill also mandates respectful maternity care training for hospital staff, requires states to restrict the shackling of pregnant individuals in prison to maintain federal funding eligibility, and authorizes significant research funding through the National Institutes of Health to study maternal mortality causes and climate change impacts on pregnancy outcomes.
Maddy summaryThe Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act requires employers to provide covered employees with at least one hour of paid annual leave for every 25 hours worked, capped at a maximum of 80 hours per year. Employees may use this leave for any reason without disclosing the specific purpose, and they are permitted to carry over up to 40 unused hours to the following year. The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who take this leave or from counting it as an absence under no-fault attendance policies. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Labor, which can investigate complaints and file lawsuits, while employees also have the right to sue in court for damages and attorney’s fees if their rights are violated.
Maddy summaryThis legislation directs the United States Postal Service to create unique ZIP Codes for 75 specific communities located across multiple states. The bill requires the Postal Service to finalize these designations within one year after the law is enacted. Communities affected by this requirement include towns and neighborhoods in states such as California, Colorado, Florida, and others. Ultimately, the measure ensures that each listed location has its own distinct postal code for mailing purposes.