Sen. Thom Tillis

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, which is observed annually from May 6 to May 12, 2026. The measure recognizes the vital contributions of nurses to the healthcare system and encourages the public to acknowledge their role through ceremonies and activities during the designated week. While the bill does not create new laws or funding, it serves to honor the profession and highlight the importance of nursing in patient care and public health.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends the "Donut Dollies" and the earlier "Doughnut Lassies" for their support of U.S. servicemembers during various wars, including World War II and the Vietnam War. The bill recognizes the volunteers' contributions to morale and well-being in combat zones and urges that their story be preserved and shared. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official acknowledgment of their historical service.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as National Small Business Week to honor the contributions of small business owners and entrepreneurs across the United States. The measure expresses appreciation for the economic role these businesses play and acknowledges the resilience of their owners and employees. By adopting this designation, the Senate aims to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit within every community without imposing any new laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThe Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 prevents the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from finalizing or enforcing a specific proposed rule regarding heat injury prevention in workplaces. This legislation directly affects the Department of Labor and businesses by blocking the implementation of detailed requirements such as mandatory rest breaks and written safety plans. The bill argues that these specific rules are too burdensome and fail to account for unique industry and geographic conditions. By stopping this rule, the act leaves the proposed heat safety standards in a suspended state without changing existing regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to clearly inform veterans about their rights regarding healthcare, benefits, and services. It directly affects veterans using VA services and VA employees, mandating that the VA integrate 10 specific rights into all policies, training, and communications. Key provisions include ensuring veterans receive respectful treatment, transparent claim updates, access to community care, protection from retaliation for seeking care, and clear grievance processes. The VA must display these rights prominently at facilities, in its mobile app, and during military transition programs, with annual staff training and facility audits. The bill does not create new legal rights but codifies existing expectations for VA accountability and veteran communication.

Maddy summaryThe NOPE Act of 2026 expands the congressional review process for U.S. sanctions targeting Russia, specifically including new executive orders and energy-related actions involving Russian crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas, and other energy goods. Under this bill, Congress must review these specific energy sanctions until the Secretary of State certifies that Russia has ended its war in Ukraine and committed to a just peace settlement that compensates Ukraine for war damages. The legislation also creates an exception allowing the government to permit certain energy shipments during the initial review period if they are necessary for crew safety, emergency repairs, environmental protection, or to mitigate economic impacts in foreign countries.

Maddy summaryThe PHS ACCESS Act allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to send Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers to work with Urban Indian organizations to support health department functions. It also changes how these officers are appointed by giving the Secretary more flexibility to grant service credit based on specific needs rather than requiring it automatically. Under the new rules, the Secretary must create clear criteria that prioritize appointees serving in rural areas, regions with workforce shortages, locations with limited healthcare access, or those working with Indian tribes and Urban Indian organizations. Additionally, these criteria will be regularly reviewed to ensure they match current workforce demands.

Maddy summaryThe Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the federal terrorism insurance program through 2034, ensuring continued government support for insurance companies facing large losses from terrorist attacks. The bill also updates the schedule for recouping federal funds, shifting the timeline for when insurers must repay taxpayer money to later dates ranging from 2029 to 2036. These changes directly affect insurance carriers and policyholders by maintaining the program's availability for a longer period and adjusting the financial obligations tied to it.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Title X family planning program to prohibit the use of federal funds for entities that perform or financially support abortions. It allows exceptions for cases involving rape, incest, or life-threatening medical conditions, while also permitting hospitals to receive funding as long as they do not give those funds to non-hospital abortion providers. To enforce these rules, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit annual reports detailing which organizations receive grants and the specific number of abortions performed under the medical and criminal exceptions.

Maddy summaryThe Combating Illicit Xylazine Act places xylazine - a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit drug mixtures - into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, subjecting it to federal regulation as a controlled substance. It specifically allows veterinary use without requiring registration of the ultimate user (e.g., pet owners or veterinarians) if xylazine is dispensed by a registered veterinarian or pharmacy with a vet prescription and used for animals owned by the user, under their care, or in authorized animal programs. The bill provides a one-year delay for labeling and packaging requirements and a 60-day delay for registration and recordkeeping for veterinary use to ease implementation. Additionally, it adds xylazine to the Arcos tracking system for controlled substances and mandates two congressional reports on illicit use prevalence within 18 months and 4 years of enactment.