Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and modifies the American Battlefield Protection Program through 2035, extending funding deadlines and increasing grant percentages for battlefield preservation. It raises the maximum federal share for battlefield acquisition, interpretation, and restoration grants from 50% to 75% and sets a $2 million annual appropriation for these programs. The bill also mandates new studies to identify, assess, and propose preservation options for sites tied to the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and Mexican-American War (1846-1848), requiring consultation with states, tribes, and preservation groups. The studies must be completed within two years and reported to Congress, focusing on site significance, threats, and potential preservation strategies.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3456, the Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act, creates a free annual pass for eligible law enforcement officers and firefighters to use at national parks and federal recreational lands. The bill directly affects active officers and firefighters employed by federal, state, local, or tribal governments who perform duties related to crime prevention/detection or fire suppression. It amends existing law to require the Secretary to provide these passes at no cost, after verifying eligibility through proof of employment. The key mechanism is expanding the current pass program to specifically include these public safety professionals under defined roles.
Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive sanctions framework targeting the Russian government and its affiliated entities in response to ongoing military actions. It authorizes the President to block assets, revoke visas, and prohibit financial transactions for Russian officials, military leaders, and foreign persons supporting Russia's defense industry or undermining Ukraine. The legislation also bans U.S. investments in Russian energy sectors, prohibits the purchase of Russian sovereign debt, and imposes high tariffs on Russian imports while restricting crude oil purchases by specific foreign nations. Additionally, the bill prevents Russian companies from listing on U.S. stock exchanges and includes mechanisms for terminating sanctions only if Russia signs a peace agreement accepted by Ukraine and ceases hostilities.
Maddy summaryThe Ban Birth Tourism Act of 2026 prohibits individuals from entering the United States if their main reason for travel is to have a child born there to gain U.S. citizenship. This law makes such travelers inadmissible upon arrival and subject to deportation if they are found to have entered the country specifically for this purpose. Officials determine whether someone is engaging in birth tourism by assessing if the person's primary goal is obtaining citizenship for a child or if they are likely to give birth within ten months of entry. The bill directly affects foreign nationals planning to visit the U.S. with the intent of using their child's birthplace to secure citizenship status.
Maddy summaryThe McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act directs the Federal Aviation Administration to review its policies on low-altitude airspace safety, specifically focusing on hazards created by temporary structures like slacklines and highlines. This review will involve consulting with various aviation stakeholders, including pilots, drone operators, and land management agencies, to assess current marking requirements and data accuracy. If the FAA finds that existing rules are insufficient, it must update regulations within a year to better identify these obstructions in flight planning tools and improve coordination with local authorities. Additionally, the agency is required to report its findings and any recommended policy changes to Congress within nine months of completing the review.
Maddy summaryThe Warriors to Workforce Act of 2026 increases the educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to eligible veterans participating in apprenticeships or on-the-job training programs. Specifically, the bill raises the payment rate for the first year of such training from 80 percent to 100 percent of the applicable benefit amount. This change directly affects veterans who are enrolled in these specific workforce development pathways and aims to provide full funding for their initial training period. The legislation modifies existing federal law to adjust the financial support structure for these educational opportunities.
Maddy summaryThe Protecting American Taxpayers Act is a comprehensive bill designed to combat government fraud, recover misused funds, and strengthen oversight across various federal programs. It directly affects federal agencies, state governments administering public assistance, small businesses, veterans, and contractors by imposing new reporting requirements, extending statutes of limitations for fraud cases, and restricting financial assistance to entities linked to foreign agents or the Taliban. Key mechanisms include requiring child care payments to be based on recorded attendance rather than enrollment, mandating investigations into sudden spikes in health care spending, prohibiting small businesses with convicted fraudsters from receiving loans, and creating a new officer within the Department of Veterans Affairs dedicated to scam prevention. Additionally, the legislation rescinds unspent pandemic-era funds for deficit reduction, expands whistleblower protections for defense and non-defense contractors, and establishes stricter rules against transferring public assistance money abroad via remittance transfers.
Maddy summaryThe Citizenship Act of 2026 redefines the legal status of individuals currently in the United States without legal admission as "invaders" and removes birthright citizenship from children born to these individuals. This change specifically targets mothers who are unlawfully present in the country or entered for the purpose of giving birth, as well as foreign nationals involved in commercial surrogacy contracts within the U.S. By amending the Immigration and Nationality Act, the bill ensures that citizenship is no longer automatically granted to these specific groups of children, regardless of their place of birth. Additionally, the legislation declares that courts cannot review the government's determination that an invasion is occurring at the border.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, which occurred in 1876 during the Great Sioux War. The bill formally recognizes the historical significance of the conflict involving the United States Army and various Tribal Nations, including the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho. It honors the soldiers, scouts, civilians, and warriors who died in the battle and encourages the public to visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument to learn about the event.