Maddy summaryThe ENFORCE Act strengthens federal laws against child exploitation by clarifying what constitutes producing child pornography and removing time limits for prosecuting certain crimes involving child sexual abuse material. It adds these offenses to sex offender registration requirements, prohibits reproducing abusive images during legal proceedings, and creates a presumption for detainment before trial for violations. The bill directly affects federal prosecutors, courts handling these cases, sex offenders subject to registration, and victims whose images are involved. Key changes include ensuring evidence remains under court control and allowing victims access to depictions in the same manner as victims of child pornography cases.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require lobbyists to disclose the names and addresses of foreign governments or political parties (other than the client) that direct, plan, supervise, or control their lobbying activities. This affects lobbyists representing clients with foreign influence, mandating new transparency in their registration filings. The bill adds a specific disclosure requirement to the existing registration process, ensuring foreign entities beyond the client are identified. This change increases public visibility into foreign involvement in U.S. lobbying efforts.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to fund community infrastructure projects near land ports of entry. It directly assists state, tribal, local governments, and nonprofit utilities within 25 miles of a land port, focusing on transportation, water, waste, utility, or environmental projects affected by port operations. Key provisions include a 30% local funding match (reduced or waived for rural areas or security-focused projects) and reimbursement for eligible projects completed after November 2021. The program prioritizes projects improving border security, trade efficiency, community resilience, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel quality of life, as outlined in DHS guidance.
Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods. Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period. Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies U.S. export control laws to include Taiwan in specific certification, reporting, and licensing requirements previously listing only New Zealand. It directly affects U.S. military exports and transfers involving Taiwan by adding Taiwan to lists of eligible recipients in multiple sections of the Arms Export Control Act. The key provision creates a new expedited review process (15 days for government-to-government deals, 30 days for others) for defense transfers from U.S. allies (NATO members, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, New Zealand) to Taiwan. This aims to streamline military equipment transfers while requiring a report on implementation within one year.
Maddy summaryThe Office of Fusion Act of 2025 establishes a new Office of Fusion within the Department of Energy to accelerate the development and commercial deployment of fusion energy technology. The Office will coordinate public-private partnerships, build domestic supply chain infrastructure, and work toward the goal of starting construction on more than one private-sector fusion power plant by December 31, 2028. It requires the Department to submit a detailed commercial deployment roadmap to Congress within 180 days of enactment, with updates every four years, outlining barriers and strategies for advancing fusion energy. The bill also creates a Fusion Innovation Center, based at a national laboratory or university with proven fusion expertise, to lead these efforts.
Maddy summaryThe GUARD Act of 2025 authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence Institutes at U.S. institutions of higher education or senior military colleges. These institutes would receive five-year federal grants (renewable once) to conduct AI research focused on national security, including developing secure data sets, creating AI testbeds, and supporting workforce development in AI disciplines. The bill requires competitive merit-based selection of grantees, mandates all recipients be U.S.-based entities, and specifies that funds must support activities like translating research into defense applications and broadening participation in AI. The primary direct beneficiaries are U.S. research institutions collaborating with defense agencies, industry, and government partners on AI projects with national security applications.
Maddy summaryThe Enduring Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (S 2584) makes a $5,000 special assessment on non-indigent individuals or entities convicted of federal trafficking offenses permanent by removing a 2025 expiration date. Previously, this assessment was set to end on September 30, 2025, but the bill extends it indefinitely. The assessment applies in addition to existing fees under federal law and funds victim services. It directly affects federal trafficking convicts who are not indigent, ensuring ongoing support for victims without changing eligibility or offense scope.
Maddy summaryThe ASCEND Act establishes a formal program for NASA to acquire and share commercial Earth observation satellite data and imagery. It requires NASA to prioritize U.S. commercial vendors when purchasing data to support scientific research, operational needs, and educational goals for NASA and other federal agencies. The law mandates that procured data must remain freely publishable for scientific use and sets reporting requirements for NASA to detail vendors, data terms, and how the data advances research aligned with scientific priorities. This directly affects NASA, commercial satellite providers, and federally funded researchers who gain broader access to Earth observation data.
Maddy summaryThe PATHS to Tutor Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund high-quality tutoring in high-need schools, directly affecting students in schools with high teacher turnover or many novice teachers. It requires local consortia (combining schools, universities, and community partners) to apply for competitive grants, mandating tutoring that uses a 1:4 tutor-to-student ratio, aligns with school curriculum, includes tutor training, and avoids replacing teachers. Grant funds must cover tutor stipends, materials, transportation, and meals for students (with 85% allocated directly to student support), while prohibiting the use of funds to supplant existing teaching staff. Priority is given to consortia using tutors from educator preparation programs or minority-serving institutions.