Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Maddy summaryHR 670, the Lady Liberty Act of 2025, sets a minimum annual refugee admission target of 125,000 people for fiscal years after 2026. It directly affects the U.S. refugee resettlement program by overriding the President’s usual authority to set admission numbers. The key provision amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that the number of refugees admitted each year cannot fall below 125,000, regardless of presidential determination. This creates a fixed minimum floor for refugee admissions starting in fiscal year 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits states from pursuing or collecting Medicaid recovery claims against individuals' estates for payments made during their lifetime. It requires states to withdraw all existing recovery liens within 90 days of enactment and notify affected individuals or their estates. The law specifically ends state efforts to reclaim Medicaid funds from beneficiaries' estates after death, applying to claims initiated before the law's effective date. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries and their estates who were subject to prior state recovery actions. The key mechanism is a mandatory 90-day withdrawal of all existing liens and a permanent ban on new recovery claims for correctly paid assistance.

Maddy summaryHR 4611 (EACH Act of 2025) requires all federally funded health programs - including Medicaid, Medicare, military health plans, and the Indian Health Service - to cover abortion services without restrictions, repealing the Hyde Amendment's long-standing ban on federal funding for most abortions. This directly affects millions of people enrolled in these programs, particularly low-income women, women of color (including 25% of Black women and 22% of Hispanic women on Medicaid), and young people. The bill mandates coverage in all federally administered health plans and prohibits state or private insurers from restricting abortion coverage in health insurance. It aims to eliminate current federal and state barriers that deny abortion access to people who rely on government health programs.

Maddy summaryThe Tobacco TRACE Act requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a national tracking system for tobacco products by June 1, 2026. This system will monitor tobacco products throughout the supply chain - from manufacturers to retailers - to improve regulatory oversight. Tobacco manufacturers, distributors, and retailers will be directly affected, as they must provide product-level tracking data under the new system. The key provision mandates the FDA to implement this tracking framework to enhance enforcement of tobacco regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 6857 requires all colleges and universities receiving federal funds to prominently display a link to the Department of Education’s civil rights complaint portal on their website homepage and to post annual Title VI awareness materials in high-traffic campus locations (like student centers) and on campus websites. The bill mandates these institutions to annually report discrimination complaints (based on race, color, or national origin) to the Department of Education’s Inspector General. It also requires the Department to provide monthly congressional briefings on complaint volumes and resolution timelines, while the Inspector General must audit institutions with the highest complaint rates and study why some complaints go to schools versus the federal office. This directly affects every federally funded higher education institution in the U.S. by changing how they handle and report civil rights complaints.

Maddy summaryThe "Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025" proposes to significantly expand and strengthen U.S. sanctions against the Russian Federation and its supporters. The bill mandates blocking property and restricting visas for Russian government officials, state-owned financial institutions, and entities supporting Russia's defense industrial base or war efforts in Ukraine, including those involved in kidnapping Ukrainian children. Key provisions prohibit U.S

Maddy summaryThe Reproductive Coercion Prevention and Protection Act of 2025 defines reproductive coercion as controlling a person's reproductive choices through force, threats, sabotage of contraception, or pressure to become pregnant or terminate a pregnancy. It creates a federal civil right of action, allowing victims to sue in court for damages if the coercion involved interstate activities - such as travel across state lines, interstate communication (e.g., email or phone), or payments. The bill does not override state laws or court jurisdictions, preserving existing state definitions of domestic violence and reproductive coercion. It specifically targets cases where abusers sabotage mail-order birth control or force victims to travel for reproductive health care, addressing gaps in current protections.

Maddy summaryThe Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act of 2025 aims to combat rising antisemitism through evidence-based policies rather than political weaponization. It requires universities to designate Title VI coordinators to handle civil rights complaints, establishes a National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism within the Department of Justice, and creates a Hate Crime Reporting Center at the FBI to improve data collection on hate crimes. The bill prohibits using antisemitism accusations to restrict diversity programs, political advocacy, or immigration policies, and ensures nonprofit security grants for Jewish community centers cannot be tied to unrelated political conditions. The legislation authorizes $280 million annually for the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights and $50 million for the Hate Crime Reporting Center from 2027-2032.

Maddy summaryAlyssa's Act of 2025 expands the Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety Evidence-based Practices to collect and analyze school safety data, including information on school shootings and emergency response effectiveness. The bill creates a National School Safety Data Center to track incidents, injuries, and response methods, while requiring emergency response maps for schools to meet specific digital standards for accessibility and real-time updates. It also establishes a program to develop and test panic alarm technology for schools, and mandates annual reports on school safety master plans developed by states and local educational agencies. The legislation requires coordination with the U.S. Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center to align school safety practices with evidence-based approaches.

Maddy summaryHRES 956 is a symbolic resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning an antisemitic attack that occurred during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, on December 14, 2025. It expresses strong condemnation of the shooting (which caused deaths and injuries), extends condolences to victims and the Australian Jewish community, and affirms the right to worship freely. The resolution also reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating antisemitism and terrorism and urges the Australian government to address rising antisemitism and protect religious communities. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or groups.