Sen. Jon Ossoff

Maddy summaryThe PHIT Act of 2025 (S 1144) allows taxpayers to deduct certain fitness expenses as medical costs on federal income taxes. It covers gym memberships, exercise classes, and fitness equipment (up to $1,000 per person annually, or $2,000 for joint filers), provided the expenses are exclusively for physical activity. Equipment must be used solely for exercise (e.g., athletic shoes worn only for activity), and facilities must meet strict criteria like excluding golf/sailing and complying with anti-discrimination laws. The bill aims to reduce financial barriers to healthy habits by making these costs tax-deductible for eligible taxpayers who itemize deductions.

Maddy summaryS. Res. 136 is a Senate resolution affirming the rule of law and the legitimacy of judicial review, referencing the Constitution's Article III and the landmark 1803 *Marbury v. Madison* decision. It states that the executive branch must comply with federal court rulings and may appeal such rulings when authorized by law. The resolution serves as a formal statement of the Senate's support for the judiciary's role in interpreting the Constitution, without creating new legal requirements or affecting specific groups.

Maddy summaryThe SHARE Act of 2025 updates federal rules for sharing criminal background check data used in professional licensing. It requires the FBI to provide criminal history record information to state licensing authorities for background checks when states are part of an interstate compact. States must use this data solely for licensing decisions and cannot share the full records with other states, commissions, or the public. Instead, they may only share a binary result (e.g., "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory") regarding the background check. This directly affects state licensing boards and professionals seeking licenses across participating states.

Maddy summaryThe Paycheck Fairness Act strengthens equal pay protections by modifying the Equal Pay Act of 1963 to require employers to prove that non-sex factors used in pay decisions are job-related, consistent with business necessity, and account for the entire pay difference. It prohibits employers from relying on salary history when setting pay for new hires and enhances protections for workers who discuss wages or file pay discrimination claims. The bill requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to collect and publish compensation data disaggregated by sex, race, and ethnicity to better enforce pay discrimination laws. These provisions directly affect workers in the private and public sectors, particularly women and women of color who face the largest pay gaps. The act also establishes a National Award for Pay Equity to recognize employers making significant efforts to eliminate pay disparities.

Maddy summaryS 960, the "Justice for Murder Victims Act," removes the maximum time limit for prosecuting homicide offenses under federal law, allowing prosecutors to file charges regardless of how long passed between the act causing death and the victim's death. However, it limits the death penalty to cases where the victim died within 1 year and 1 day of the act causing death. The bill amends Title 18, U.S. Code, to apply this change to all homicide prosecutions occurring after enactment, while also modifying penalties for first-degree murder to reflect the 1-year-and-1-day time limit for the death penalty. This directly affects federal prosecutors, defendants facing homicide charges, and victims' families seeking justice for delayed prosecutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to help rural water and wastewater systems prepare for and respond to disasters. It authorizes $20 million annually (2025-2029) for grants to qualified nonprofit organizations with disaster response experience, enabling them to provide onsite support, develop emergency plans, improve system resilience, and conduct assessments. The program specifically targets disadvantaged communities lacking resources for water system safety and covers activities like emergency repairs, vulnerability assessments, and coordination with agencies like FEMA. Eligible nonprofits must have licensed personnel or relevant expertise and cannot duplicate other federal funding.

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 summarySRES 125 is a Senate resolution commemorating Delta Air Lines' 100th anniversary, recognizing its founding as the aerial crop-dusting company Huff Daland Dusters in 1925 and its current role as a major airline serving over 200 million travelers annually. The resolution formally marks the centennial milestone without creating new laws or policies, highlighting Delta's global operations and community partnerships. It does not affect any specific people or businesses, as it is purely a symbolic gesture by the Senate.

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 summaryThis bill increases federal funding for projects improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It allows states and localities using federal highway funds to fully cover (100%) the costs of specific projects, such as connecting existing bike/pedestrian paths or reducing risks to vulnerable road users, if they use "Proven Safety Countermeasures" for cyclists/pedestrians as defined by the Federal Highway Administration. Projects must align with state safety plans or local safety plans like Complete Streets or Vision Zero plans. The bill directly affects states and local governments managing transportation infrastructure funded through federal highway programs.