Sen. Ted Budd

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. government to consider Chinese officials responsible for religious freedom abuses as subject to sanctions under existing U.S. law. It requires the State Department to support programs promoting religious freedom in China and monitor Chinese government actions targeting religious minorities. The bill also urges Congress to designate China as a "country of particular concern" for religious freedom, call for the release of detained religious prisoners, and strengthen diplomatic efforts with international partners on this issue. It specifically addresses abuses against groups including Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and others facing restrictions in China.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1876) allows the relocation of a memorial honoring 9 Air Force crew members who died in a 1982 plane crash from private land near the Cherohala Skyway in North Carolina to a rest area at Stratton Ridge within Nantahala National Forest. It requires landowner consent and approval from the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The requester must cover all costs for relocation, installation, and maintenance, with no federal funds used. The memorial cannot be expanded under the new authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study for designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a National Scenic Trail. The 287-mile trail, which runs through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina across federal lands and protected areas, directly affects the communities along its route and the Benton MacKaye Trail Association. The study must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment, assessing factors like the trail's current maintenance (95% on federal land, managed since 1980 by a nonprofit) and its economic benefits to rural areas. It does not designate the trail as a National Scenic Trail, only authorizes a study to determine if that step is appropriate.

Maddy summaryThe Kayla Hamilton Act updates rules for placing unaccompanied alien children (UACs) in U.S. custody. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consult with immigration and law enforcement before placing a UAC, and to conduct background checks on potential sponsors. Children aged 12 or older who are flight risks, dangerous, or have certain criminal histories (like gang-related tattoos or past convictions) must be placed in secure facilities. The law also bans placing UACs with non-citizen sponsors or those with serious criminal records, and mandates detailed background information to be shared with immigration authorities.

Maddy summaryS 3030, the Pay Our Military Act of 2025, ensures that active-duty military members, reservists, civilian Defense personnel, and supporting contractors continue receiving pay and essential benefits during any funding gap in fiscal year 2026. It appropriates necessary funds from the Treasury to cover pay, allowances, housing, travel, and other payments if Congress hasn’t passed full-year appropriations by September 30, 2026. These funds are charged to future appropriations when regular funding is enacted, preventing delays in military compensation. The bill takes effect retroactively as of September 30, 2025, to cover any missed payments during the prior fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThe Border Lands Conservation Act directs the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to install roads and surveillance technology on federal lands adjacent to the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada to enhance border security and operational control. It requires reports on environmental damage and wildfires caused by illegal border crossings, establishes a program to manage vegetation and reduce fire risks on border lands, and prohibits federal funding for housing undocumented immigrants on federal lands (except in detention facilities). The bill affects federal land management agencies, the Department of Homeland Security, and border states, while explicitly protecting tribal sovereignty and legal land uses like grazing and recreation.

Maddy summarySRES 446 is a ceremonial Senate resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy's founding on October 13, 1775. It recognizes the Navy's historical role in protecting U.S. interests and acknowledges its current size (over 290 ships, 3,700 aircraft, and 590,000 personnel). The resolution expresses appreciation for the service of Navy personnel past and present and reaffirms Senate support for the Navy as a key national defense force. It has no binding effect or policy changes, serving solely as a symbolic tribute.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend federal law to allow qualified prosecutors and federal judges to carry concealed firearms under specific conditions. To qualify, they must provide agency-issued photographic identification plus certification that they've met firearms training standards established by their state or agency. The bill defines "qualified prosecutor" as a full-time criminal case prosecutor who meets certain professional and training requirements, and "qualified Federal judge" as a serving judge without pending disciplinary actions or substance use issues. Similar requirements apply to retired prosecutors and judges who meet service and training criteria. This would expand the current law that allows qualified law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date for cybersecurity information sharing authorities under the 2015 law from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2035. It directly affects organizations and government entities that share cybersecurity threat information under the existing framework. The key provision amends Section 111(a) of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 to update the deadline, with retroactive effect starting October 1, 2025. The bill also updates the law's title to "Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act" for consistency.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 438) condemns Hamas for the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people - including 40 U.S. citizens - and took 251 hostages. It supports an outcome ensuring Israel’s "forever survival," destroying Hamas’s ability to regroup, and securing the release of all remaining hostages, including two U.S. citizens held in Gaza. The resolution also condemns antisemitic protests in the U.S. that damaged property and threatened Jewish Americans’ safety. As a non-binding Senate resolution, it expresses symbolic support for U.S. policy toward Israel but does not create new laws or allocate funds. It directly affects U.S. diplomatic positioning on the Israel-Hamas conflict and hostage negotiations.