Sen. Bill Cassidy

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to place a monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients on federal land near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., overriding standard location rules. It specifically requires the monument to be located within the National Mall's "Reserve" area adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial, as defined in federal law. The bill affects the museum foundation's construction plans and the public's access to this new memorial site. It does not change how the Medal of Honor is awarded, only the physical location of its commemorative monument.

Maddy summaryThis resolution establishes a mandatory process for the U.S. Senate to address the long-term fiscal stability of Social Security by creating a bipartisan working group that must submit legislative proposals within specific deadlines. The bill requires the Senate to introduce and consider legislation that ensures the Social Security Trust Funds can pay 100 percent of scheduled benefits for at least 50 years, restricting debate to 30 hours and limiting amendments to those that meet this solvency standard. Passage of the final bill in the Senate requires a three-fifths supermajority vote, and the resolution prohibits the inclusion of any provisions unrelated to changing Social Security outlays, revenues, or financing.

Maddy summaryThe Afghanistan TPS Act of 2026 grants Temporary Protected Status to Afghan nationals who have been continuously present in the United States since the bill's enactment, providing them with legal protection and work authorization until July 1, 2029. To qualify, applicants must register with biometric data and pass criminal and national security background checks, while the Department of Homeland Security is required to process these applications within 90 days, subject to a potential extension for specific security concerns. The legislation also allows recipients to apply for waivers on filing fees and permits brief international travel in cases of emergency or extenuating circumstances.

Maddy summaryThe Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act establishes a new position within the Small Business Administration’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights to coordinate support for businesses owned by individuals with disabilities. This Coordinator is tasked with developing strategies, facilitating outreach, and creating training programs to help these businesses access capital, counseling, and federal contracting opportunities. The bill requires the SBA to voluntarily collect data on the disability status of small business owners through intake forms and to publicly report on services provided to this group. Additionally, the Coordinator must hold semi-annual public meetings with stakeholders and submit a report to Congress within two years detailing program effectiveness and recommendations for further support.

Maddy summaryThe READ Act aims to improve student literacy by directing federal funding toward evidence-based reading instruction known as the science of reading, which explicitly teaches phonics and decoding while prohibiting the use of the three-cueing model. Under this bill, the U.S. Department of Education would distribute grants to states, with a specific focus on those performing in the lowest tier of reading assessments, to implement statewide policies, update teacher training standards, and provide universal early literacy screenings for all students before third grade. The legislation also requires schools to notify parents when a student is identified as at risk for reading difficulties and mandates that these notifications be provided in the family's primary language. Additionally, the act allocates funds to support high-quality instructional materials, literacy coaching for teachers, and interventions like tutoring for struggling readers, while ensuring that federal money supplements rather than replaces local education spending.

Maddy summaryThe Pay PCPs Act of 2026 authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a hybrid payment model for Medicare primary care providers, combining predictable monthly payments with traditional fee-for-service reimbursements. This new structure aims to fund activities that are currently difficult to bill individually, such as patient communications and team-based care coordination, while allowing providers to opt into the program voluntarily. Additionally, the bill reduces beneficiary out-of-pocket costs by 50% for covered primary care services when patients designate a specific provider as their usual source of care. To support these changes, the legislation appropriates $10 billion over five years and establishes a temporary technical advisory committee to review and improve how Medicare values physician services.

Maddy summaryThe PREFERRED Screening Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a seven-year payment model that reimburses healthcare providers for conducting comprehensive breast cancer risk assessments and creating personalized screening plans for Medicare beneficiaries aged 40 to 75. These assessments combine genetic testing, family history, and lifestyle factors to categorize patients by risk level, which then guides specific recommendations for screening frequency, imaging types, and preventive medications. The model prioritizes participation from providers in rural areas, medically underserved communities, and states with high breast cancer mortality rates, while allowing services to be delivered through both in-person visits and remote methods such as mailed genetic testing kits. Throughout the program, the government will evaluate whether this approach changes patient behavior, affects healthcare costs, and improves early detection of breast cancer before deciding if the model should be expanded or made permanent.

Maddy summaryThe RISE Act amends the Higher Education Act to improve support for college students with disabilities. It requires institutions to accept multiple forms of documentation (like high school IEPs or 504 plans) to verify disability status and mandates transparent, accessible processes for determining accommodation eligibility. Colleges must also report specific disability-related data to federal databases, including the number of students receiving accommodations and degree completions. Additionally, the bill authorizes $10 million annually (2027-2031) for a national center providing technical support to students with disabilities, without altering existing ADA definitions or rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual contribution limit for certain retirement accounts from $2,500 to $5,000 under the Internal Revenue Code. It applies directly to individuals participating in defined contribution retirement plans (like 401(k)s) who meet basic eligibility requirements, including those not yet enrolled. The key change modifies tax rules to allow higher contributions toward emergency savings within these plans. The amendments take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. The bill does not create new programs but adjusts existing contribution limits and definitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to formally define dyslexia as a specific learning disability. It adds a clear definition stating dyslexia involves unexpected reading difficulties due to phonological processing challenges, affecting students diagnosed with dyslexia. The bill also requires schools to provide equal access to accommodations and services for all eligible students, specifically including those from low-income families, low socioeconomic backgrounds, and limited English proficiency. These changes ensure dyslexia is explicitly recognized in federal education law and mandate equitable access to support for affected students.