Maddy summaryThe REPUBLIC Act (S 4373) requires congressional approval for the President to declare and maintain national emergencies, limiting initial emergencies to 30 days (with 90-day renewal periods) and setting a 5-year maximum duration. It mandates that the President specify which laws will be used during emergencies, provide detailed reports to Congress about emergency circumstances and actions taken, and submit presidential emergency action documents to Congress within 3 days of creation. The bill also restricts certain emergency powers, such as prohibiting the use of economic sanctions against U.S. persons and requiring congressional approval for Insurrection Act authorities. This legislation directly affects the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches during national emergencies by strengthening congressional oversight.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe FDA Modernization Act 3.0 requires the FDA to issue a final rule within 180 days of enactment to implement regulations for nonclinical testing methods used in drug development. This affects pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs by establishing standardized requirements for preclinical safety testing before human trials. The bill also makes a technical amendment to renumber a subsection related to clinical trial diversity plans, clarifying existing provisions without changing their substance. The key change is the FDA's obligation to finalize these testing regulations, aiming to modernize the drug approval process.
Maddy summaryThe FAIR Act of 2024 (S 5512) fundamentally changes civil forfeiture by requiring all property seizures to go through judicial process rather than allowing government agencies to seize property without court involvement. It raises the government's burden of proof from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence" to establish a property connection to criminal activity. The bill establishes new timelines for notifying property owners and requires courts to consider factors like hardship to property owners when making forfeiture decisions. These changes directly affect individuals whose property is seized by federal agencies in connection with alleged criminal activity.
Maddy summarySRES 925 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Fred R. Harris of Oklahoma, who died on November 23, 2024, at age 94. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that his family be notified, and directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a formal expression of respect for a former senator’s legacy.
Maddy summaryThe SCHOOL Act of 2024 (S 5458) redirects federal education funding to follow students regardless of whether they attend public, private, or home schools. It requires states to allocate Title I-VI funds from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and IDEA funds to students directly - through education savings accounts for private/home school students - based on enrollment, rather than to school districts. Funds can cover tuition, materials, tutoring, therapies for students with disabilities, and other educational expenses. The bill mandates annual parental notification of school choice and explicitly prohibits federal control over private schools or supplanting existing local education funding. It affects all students aged 5-17 in public, private, or home schools across participating states.
Maddy summaryThe Risky Research Review Act establishes a new Life Sciences Research Security Board to review Federal funding for certain high-risk life sciences research before it's approved. The Board, composed of 9 appointed members including scientists and national security experts, will determine whether agencies can fund research that could pose threats to public health, safety, or national security. Entities seeking funding must attest whether their research qualifies as "high-risk" and disclose work with select agents or toxins, with the Board having 120 days to review high-risk proposals and set minimum biosafety and biosecurity requirements. The bill authorizes $30 million annually for the Board's operations from the Department of Homeland Security. This review process will apply to research involving potential pandemic pathogens, gain of function research, or dual-use applications with significant potential for misuse.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 902) honoring the late Senator Timothy Peter Johnson of South Dakota, who died after a long career in public service. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and send a copy to his family, and calls for the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is purely a formal expression of respect for a former senator. The resolution commemorates his decades of service, including his time as Chairman of the Banking Committee and his return to work after a serious health setback.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 117) formally rejects a report submitted by the President to Congress on November 18, 2024, regarding the U.S. government's position on Ukraine's national debt. It directly addresses the President's proposal concerning Ukraine's indebtedness, which Congress is now disapproving. The resolution itself is the mechanism for this disapproval, requiring no new policy changes or funding. It does not alter existing debt agreements or provide new funding but formally opposes the administration's stated position on Ukraine's debt. This is a procedural action focused solely on the President's report, not on Ukraine's debt obligations themselves.
Maddy summaryThis bill would expand Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility by increasing contribution limits for most individuals and adding additional allowances for those aged 50 or older. It would broaden the range of qualifying expenses to include menstrual care products, vitamins, dietary supplements, gym memberships, and wearable fitness trackers. The legislation would also allow HSA funds to be rolled over to children or parents and provide bankruptcy protections for HSAs similar to retirement accounts. Additionally, it would permit certain medical expenses incurred before establishing an HSA to still be considered qualified expenses.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates "health marketplace pools" that can operate like employers to offer group health coverage without considering health status when enrolling members. It allows these pools to provide plans covering only prescription or over-the-counter drugs as a standalone benefit, or combined with other coverage. The pools must offer the same coverage to all members, cannot deny enrollment based on health factors, and may partner with insurers or self-insure. This directly affects individuals and small groups forming these pools, enabling them to access standardized health plans without health-based discrimination.