Maddy summaryThe Elder Pride Act amends the Older Americans Act to formally recognize LGBTQI individuals and people living with HIV as distinct groups requiring specific attention. It establishes a new Office of LGBTQI Inclusion within the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate services, conduct research, and administer grants aimed at improving care for older LGBTQI people. Additionally, the bill creates a $5 million rural outreach grant program to fund initiatives that reduce isolation, enhance cultural competency among service providers, and expand sexual health services in non-urban areas. These changes are designed to ensure that aging services are more inclusive and accessible to older adults who have historically faced discrimination or lack of tailored support.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from any hostilities within or against Cuba that have not been explicitly authorized by Congress. The bill relies on the War Powers Resolution to assert that military actions like blockades or quarantines require either a formal declaration of war or specific statutory approval. It includes a provision allowing the United States to continue defending itself against armed attacks or conducting lawful counternarcotics operations. The measure is intended to enforce the constitutional principle that Congress holds the sole power to declare war.
Maddy summaryThe Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act bans the imposition of the death penalty for any federal crime committed on or after the date the law takes effect. It directly affects individuals currently facing or serving federal death sentences by requiring that all such cases be resentenced to a penalty other than death. This legislation removes the death penalty as a sentencing option for federal offenses and mandates a review for those already sentenced to die before the bill becomes law.
Maddy summaryThe Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2026 establishes a demonstration program to prevent, monitor, and control the invasive golden mussel in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and other affected U.S. waters. This initiative involves collaboration between federal agencies, state and local governments, port authorities, and academic institutions to research the mussel's biology, develop eradication methods, and create early warning systems for new infestations. The bill also creates a competitive grant program to fund technology development for removing mussels from infrastructure like water intakes and boat hulls, while authorizing $15 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to support these efforts. Additionally, the legislation requires the Task Force to develop control guidelines within a year of enactment and to share technical information with regional partners to coordinate response strategies.
Maddy summaryThe Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act of 2026 creates a five-year pilot program to provide grants to school districts that prepare meals using unprocessed or minimally processed ingredients. To receive funding, schools must apply and prioritize those serving low-income students and those committed to self-operation or collective bargaining agreements. The grants cover costs for staff training, kitchen equipment, employee wages, and technology, while recipients must work with a technical assistance center to create implementation plans. Schools receiving the money will report on their progress by tracking the percentage of whole ingredients used and the number of scratch-cooked menu items served. The program is authorized to receive $20 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Maddy summaryThe Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act of 2026 authorizes competitive grants to help partnerships create or expand training programs for early childhood education careers. These grants are intended for groups that include colleges, child care providers, and local businesses to work together on education and training initiatives. The funds can be used to develop educational materials, support student recruitment and retention, provide work-based learning experiences, and offer professional development for teachers and staff. Priority is given to applicants serving rural and urban areas, particularly those addressing documented shortages of child care providers and focusing on infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. Recipients must submit detailed applications and annual reports to demonstrate how the programs benefit students and improve outcomes in the workforce.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to reject a specific rule issued by the Department of Education concerning the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. If passed, it would nullify the rule and prevent it from taking effect, directly impacting federal student loan policies. The measure uses a congressional disapproval process under Title 5 of the United States Code to override the department's regulatory decision. It does not create new policies but instead stops an existing proposed regulation from being implemented.
Maddy summaryThis bill transfers approximately 265 acres of land (80 acres from BLM land and 185 acres from Indian Creek Ranch) to the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians in trust for the Tribe. It revokes a 1964 public land order and requires the Secretary of the Interior to place the land into trust within 180 days of enactment, after a required survey. The land will become part of the Tribe's reservation and be administered under standard federal trust rules, but cannot be used for tribal gaming under federal law. The bill directly affects the Tribe by expanding their reservation landholdings under federal trust management.
Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of John Seymour, a late U.S. Senator from California, by formally acknowledging his public service and contributions. The document details his career highlights, including his roles as Mayor of Anaheim, his work in securing the relocation of the Los Angeles Rams, and his legislative achievements such as passing a major transportation bill. It also lists his committee assignments and advocacy for issues like special education, women's rights, and environmental protection. Finally, the resolution requests that the Senate Secretary communicate this tribute to the House of Representatives and send a copy to Seymour's family.
Maddy summaryThe Energy Cost Fairness and Reliability Act of 2026 establishes new federal rules to manage the connection of large energy users, specifically data centers and other facilities with peak demand exceeding 50 megawatts, to the national power grid. Under this bill, these large load customers must pay the full cost for any grid upgrades required to accommodate their connection and must demonstrate the ability to reduce or shift their electricity usage when the grid is stressed. The legislation also creates a formal queue system for interconnection requests, prioritizes facilities that use battery backup or hire apprentices, and requires owners to provide proof of financial commitment before proceeding. Additionally, the Department of Energy is tasked with collecting data on data center energy use to track trends and establish a research testbed for developing more efficient artificial intelligence technologies.