Maddy summaryThe Mining Schools Act of 2025 creates a Department of Energy grant program to fund mining education at eligible colleges and universities. It directly affects accredited mining engineering programs and specific public university departments in states with significant mining economies, aiming to recruit students and strengthen training in critical mineral extraction, environmental reclamation, and domestic supply chains. Grants - limited to 10 annually - must support curriculum focused on rare earth elements, recycling technologies, reducing environmental impacts, and meeting U.S. energy mineral needs. The program authorizes $10 million yearly for fiscal years 2026-2033, with oversight by a Mining Professional Development Advisory Board.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses. It adds "qualified military spouse" as a new category eligible for the credit, meaning employers who hire spouses of active-duty service members can claim the tax benefit. To qualify, a spouse must be certified by a local agency as married to an Armed Forces member at the time of hire. The change applies to hires occurring after the law's effective date, directly affecting military spouses seeking employment and employers who hire them.
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 summaryS 1052 extends funding for the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System through 2033 at $75 million annually (up from $55 million), replacing the previous authorization ending in 2023. It modernizes the system by requiring new technologies like advanced digital telemetry networks, infrared cameras, and satellite systems for real-time monitoring. The bill also establishes a committee with state agencies, universities, and volcano observatories to oversee implementation and updates the management plan requirements to occur every 5 years. This reauthorization directly affects federal volcano monitoring agencies and state emergency management partners responsible for eruption preparedness.
Maddy summaryThis bill finalizes land entitlements for the Cape Fox Village Corporation (a Native Village of Saxman entity under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act). It waives a requirement for Cape Fox to select additional land, allowing the transfer of approximately 180 acres of federal surface land within the Tongass National Forest to Cape Fox. Simultaneously, the subsurface rights to this land are transferred to Sealaska Corporation. The conveyance includes a public easement to maintain access to National Forest land on Revillagigedo Island.
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 summaryS 991 repeals a specific requirement in the Small Business Act that previously mandated federal contractors to award construction subcontracts within the county or state where the work is performed. This change directly affects small businesses participating in the federal 8(a) contracting program, which helps them compete for government construction projects. The bill eliminates paragraph (11) of section 8(a) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)), removing the geographic restriction on subcontracting. This simplifies the contracting process for small businesses by allowing them greater flexibility in selecting subcontractors nationwide. The bill makes a concrete policy change to administrative rules without altering program eligibility or funding.
Maddy summaryThe Space National Guard Establishment Act of 2025 creates a Space National Guard as a reserve component of the Space Force, composed exclusively of existing units from seven states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New York, and Ohio. It transfers specific Air National Guard units (like the 213th Space Warning Squadron in Alaska and the 137th Space Warning Squadron in Colorado) to the new Space National Guard without adding new personnel or facilities. The bill mandates that the Space National Guard must operate within existing military infrastructure, prohibiting new construction or modifications to accommodate it. It also amends military law to formally define the Space National Guard and its role within the Space Force structure.
Maddy summaryS. 925 (Credit for Caring Act of 2025) creates a 30% tax credit for eligible family caregivers incurring qualified expenses to care for a certified relative with long-term care needs. It directly affects caregivers who earn over $7,500 annually and pay expenses exceeding $2,000 per year for care recipients certified by a healthcare professional as needing at least 180 days of care during the tax year. The credit covers costs like human assistance, home modifications, transportation, and respite care, with a maximum annual credit of $5,000 (adjusted for inflation). The credit phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income above $75,000 ($150,000 for joint filers). The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from transmitting certain information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) utilized by licensed importers or dealers of firearms. Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from transmitting personally identifying information of a veteran or a beneficiary to the NICS solely on the basis that such veteran or beneficiary has an appointed fiduciary to manage their benefits, unless there is an order or finding of a judicial authority that such veteran or beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others.