Sen. Ashley Moody

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Major Richard Star Act (S 1032), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both their military retired pay and Veterans Affairs disability compensation simultaneously. It amends U.S. Code sections to remove the automatic reduction in retired pay that previously forced these veterans to choose between the two payments. The key change ensures veterans with combat-related disabilities qualify for full retired pay without offset against their VA disability benefits, effective for payments starting after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects veterans receiving military retired pay under Chapter 61 who also qualify for VA disability compensation for combat-related injuries.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to strengthen consequences for organizations violating federal civil rights laws while receiving federal funding. It requires recipients found noncompliant to repay all federal funds received for the entire fiscal year (even if unspent) and expands penalties from single programs to all programs/activities funded by the recipient. It also blocks all new federal funding to such recipients for up to one year after a court issues an injunction for violations, requiring agencies to notify all federal departments. The bill directly affects schools, hospitals, and nonprofits receiving federal funds who violate civil rights laws. The changes aim to ensure accountability by making financial penalties more severe and systemic.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents the EPA from revoking state programs that handle permits for dredged or fill material in waterways without new congressional approval. It specifically protects existing programs in Michigan (approved 1984), New Jersey (1994), and Florida (2020), ensuring these states can continue administering their own permitting systems. The bill requires the EPA to notify states and the Army Corps if a new state program is deemed comparable to the protected ones, triggering a shift to state oversight. A 90-day transition period is included for Florida to maintain permit issuance during implementation. The law aims to preserve state authority over these environmental permits without federal interference.

Maddy summaryThe HELPER Act of 2025 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and teachers, allowing them to purchase homes with no down payment. It defines "first responders" as full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and K-12 teachers employed by government or accredited schools. The program requires applicants to be first-time homebuyers with 4 years of recent employment in their field, complete housing counseling, and intend to remain in their role for at least one year after closing. Mortgages under this program must be used for a primary residence, cover 100% of the home's appraised value, and exclude monthly insurance premiums.

Maddy summaryThe Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 modifies FDA regulations to improve pediatric cancer drug development and extends incentives for rare pediatric disease treatments. It requires drug developers seeking approval for molecularly targeted cancer drugs to include pediatric-focused studies (e.g., dosing, safety) for specific cancer types, with new FDA guidance due within 12 months. The bill also extends the rare pediatric disease priority review voucher program through 2029 and mandates a GAO study to evaluate how effectively these vouchers spur development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases, reporting findings by 2034. This directly affects pharmaceutical companies developing cancer drugs and the FDA’s approval process, aiming to accelerate treatments for children with cancer and rare diseases.

Maddy summaryThe Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025 establishes new rules for disciplining VA supervisors and management officials (excluding senior executives and political appointees) for poor performance or misconduct. It requires the VA Secretary to use specific, written criteria - like the offense's severity, the employee's role, and past record - when deciding on removal, demotion, or suspension, and mandates decisions within 15 business days. The bill creates an internal grievance process for affected employees and strengthens whistleblower protections by requiring Special Counsel approval before disciplining someone who disclosed wrongdoing. It also limits judicial review to cases of arbitrary or capricious decisions and explicitly prohibits courts from reducing penalties. The law applies to VA employees covered under the bill's definition, effective from the 2017 VA Accountability Act's enactment date.

This resolution designates March 6, 2025, as National Slam the Scam Day to raise awareness and amplify the messaging about scams involving individuals impersonating government employees, encourage policies and programs to prevent such scams, recognize those who work to prevent such scams, and encourage the public to report and share information about such scams.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring Roberto Clemente, a Hall of Fame baseball player and humanitarian, including $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar coins. The coins, to be minted between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027, will feature designs reflecting Clemente's baseball career and activism, with surcharges funding the Roberto Clemente Foundation's youth sports, education, and disaster relief programs. The foundation will receive all surcharges ($5-$35 per coin) to support its mission, while the coins themselves are legal tender. This procedural bill does not create new policy but commemorates Clemente's legacy through a limited coin issuance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all U.S. flags displayed on federal property or purchased by federal agencies to be "made in the United States," defined as 100% manufactured in the U.S. from U.S.-produced materials. Federal agencies must comply with this rule for flag procurement within 90 days of enactment and for display within two years. The bill also directs the Federal Trade Commission to study current country-of-origin labeling enforcement for flags and report findings within one year. It explicitly excludes private entities from these requirements. The law aims to ensure federal flag use supports domestic manufacturing, with no impact on private flag sales or displays.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal education law to prohibit federally funded athletic programs from allowing individuals assigned male at birth to participate in sports designated for women or girls. It defines "sex" for this purpose as biological sex at birth, based on reproductive anatomy and genetics. The law directly affects schools, colleges, and sports organizations receiving federal funding. Violations would constitute a breach of Title IX, requiring programs to exclude individuals whose sex is male from women's or girls' athletic teams.