Healthcare Freedom and Choice Act This bill nullifies a rule regarding short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. The rule was promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and Department of Health and Human Services; is titled Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage ; and was published April 3, 2024. Short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans are plans that may only offer coverage for a limited amount of time and are exempt from the market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (e.g., coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions). The rule limits the length of the initial contract period for such a plan to no more than three months and, taking into account any renewals or extensions, the maximum coverage period to no more than four months. The rule also includes within the maximum renewal period limitation a new plan sold by the same issuer, or any issuer that is a member of the same controlled group, to the same policyholder within a 12-month period. Regulations in effect prior to the rule this bill nullifies permitted short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans with an initial contract period of fewer than 12 months and a maximum coverage period of up to 36 months, including renewals and extensions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funding under Title X (which supports family planning services) for clinics or organizations that perform or fund abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when a physician certifies a life-threatening condition. It requires grantees to certify compliance annually and mandates detailed annual reports to Congress on exceptions, including abortion counts by circumstance. The law directly affects Title X-funded providers who currently offer abortion services, potentially forcing them to stop providing abortions or lose federal funding. Key mechanisms include the certification requirement, exception criteria, and the new reporting obligations for the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Maddy summaryHR 340, the HCT/P Modernization Act of 2025, requires the FDA to improve transparency around the regulation of human cell and tissue products (HCT/Ps), such as tissue transplants and stem cell therapies. The bill mandates the FDA to publish educational resources, annual reports on inspections and inquiries, and establish a public docket for stakeholder input on regulatory updates. These changes aim to streamline oversight for HCT/P manufacturers, researchers, and healthcare providers by making FDA processes more predictable. The law directs the FDA to report to Congress by September 2026 with recommendations for modernizing regulations, considering scientific advances and public health.
Maddy summaryHR 361, the "Make Greenland Great Again Act," authorizes the President to begin negotiations with Denmark for the U.S. acquisition of Greenland starting January 20, 2025. It requires the President to submit any resulting agreement to specific congressional committees (Foreign Affairs and Foreign Relations) within five days, followed by a 60-day congressional review period. If Congress takes no action during that period, the agreement would automatically take effect. The bill does not change Greenland’s current status as part of Denmark’s Kingdom but proposes a diplomatic process for potential transfer. Note: This appears to be a symbolic or satirical proposal, as Greenland is an autonomous territory within Denmark’s Kingdom and not subject to unilateral acquisition.
Maddy summaryHR 339, the Broadband Resiliency and Flexible Investment Act, requires state and local governments to approve modifications to existing wireless towers and telecommunications facilities (like base stations) that don’t change their physical size within 60 days - or automatically approve the request. The bill limits governments to requiring only publicly available, relevant documentation for such requests and mandates written denials with specific legal citations if a request is rejected. It defines eligible requests as those improving facility resiliency (e.g., backup power, hardening for public safety) or enabling equipment changes without altering structure size. This law primarily affects telecommunications companies seeking infrastructure upgrades and local governments managing facility approvals, with the FCC required to issue implementing rules within 180 days.
Maddy summaryHR 346, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, amends the Clean Air Act to clarify that state emissions standards directly or indirectly limiting sales of new internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE) would not qualify for federal EPA waivers. It adds a specific definition to the law, requiring states to avoid restrictions on ICE vehicle sales to maintain waiver eligibility. The bill also mandates the EPA to revoke existing waivers granted between January 2022 and the bill's enactment if those waivers didn't comply with the new definition. This directly affects states with their own vehicle emission standards (like California), the EPA's waiver approval process, and automakers selling vehicles in those states.
Maddy summaryThe Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution (HRES 23) would allow U.S. House Members who have given birth or whose spouse has given birth to appoint another Member as a proxy to cast their vote or record their presence in the House and committees for up to 12 weeks after childbirth. To use this, the new parent must submit a signed letter to the Clerk detailing the birth or medical condition and naming the proxy; the proxy must vote exactly as instructed and announce the vote as "by proxy." The proxy vote does not count toward quorum, and the new parent can revoke the proxy at any time by submitting a new letter or casting their own vote. This resolution applies to all House Members, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, though they cannot cast votes for the House itself.
Maddy summaryHR 283 authorizes the President, with coordination from the Secretary of State, to negotiate with Panama to reacquire the Panama Canal. The bill requires the President to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment, detailing negotiation progress, challenges, and expected outcomes. This procedural bill focuses solely on initiating talks and reporting requirements, without specifying repurchase terms or funding. It directly affects U.S. executive branch actions and congressional oversight, not the canal’s current operations or Panama’s government.
Maddy summaryHR 272, the Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2025, prohibits federal funding (directly or indirectly) to any organization that performs or funds abortions, requiring certification from all recipients. This applies to entities receiving federal funds, including contractors and subsidiaries, with limited exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, or when a physician certifies a life-threatening condition. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, clinics, and organizations that rely on federal grants or contracts. It changes existing funding rules by banning federal money from supporting abortion services, except in the specified medical or criminal exceptions.
Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to temporarily suspend entry of certain individuals at U.S. borders to achieve "operational control" (defined as effective border management). It specifically applies to people seeking entry without proper documentation who would be denied entry under current law (e.g., lacking visas or asylum eligibility). The Secretary must block entry if they cannot detain or process these individuals as required by existing immigration law. States may also sue the government if they believe border security rules are violated.