Sen. Ben Ray Luján

Maddy summaryThe Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to increase financial aid for college students by doubling the maximum Federal Pell Grant award to $10,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, with amounts rising annually to reach $15,000 by 2031-2032. The bill also changes the funding structure so that Pell Grants become a mandatory program that automatically adjusts for inflation rather than relying on annual congressional appropriations. Additional provisions expand eligibility to include students with negative financial aid indexes, provide special rules for recipients of means-tested benefits, and allow Dreamer students who become citizens or permanent residents to qualify for aid. The legislation further restores the total number of semesters a student can receive Pell Grants from 12 to 18 and modifies how institutions determine satisfactory academic progress to reduce penalties for students struggling with course requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and expands a federal grant program designed to support socially disadvantaged, veteran, and beginning farmers and ranchers through 2031. It requires the Department of Agriculture to prioritize grants for organizations that offer interpretation and translation services to help non-English speakers access technical assistance. Additionally, the legislation mandates the creation of a five-year reporting system that collects and publishes data on farm ownership, payments, and loan guarantees broken down by race, ethnicity, and gender to improve transparency.

Maddy summaryThe Summer for All Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide competitive grants to organizations and state agencies for creating affordable, high-quality summer programs for youth aged 5 to 22. These grants prioritize serving low-income, rural, and underserved populations, including English learners, students with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness, by offering free programming that includes academic enrichment, health activities, and social support. The legislation allocates $4 billion over four years, with the majority of funds designated for direct community programs and a smaller portion for state-level planning to expand access and improve program quality. Recipients must use the funds to provide safe, supervised environments during the summer months and are required to submit annual reports detailing how the money was spent and how many youth were served.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant Temporary Protected Status to nationals of Haiti. Under this provision, eligible Haitian immigrants would be allowed to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation until March 20, 2029. The legislation overrides other existing laws to ensure this designation remains in effect for the specified period.

Maddy summaryThe America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through 2033, increasing its annual funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion. It requires that projects funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund must secure at least 15% of their costs from public donations, which will be solicited through public awareness campaigns, donation locations at recreation sites, and during the purchase of recreation passes. The bill also mandates new reporting requirements for deferred maintenance and disposal of assets no longer serving public interest, while ensuring donations are credited to the Fund and allocated to specific projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill abolishes the Anti-Weaponization Fund, a financial reserve created by the Attorney General during the Trump v. Internal Revenue Service legal case. It also declares an order issued on May 19, 2026, regarding the release of certain claims as invalid and without effect. The legislation directly impacts the Department of Justice by removing this specific fund and reversing the associated administrative directive.

First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.

Maddy summaryThe Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026 establishes a new federal Children's Commission to advocate for the interests of all children and specifically marginalized youth, including foster care recipients and those facing systemic barriers. This 15-member commission, appointed by the Comptroller General, will conduct research, review federal regulations, and issue reports to ensure that child well-being is considered in government policies and legislation. The bill also creates a Children's Commissioner to lead the commission and requires agencies to share relevant data, while authorizing $7.5 million annually from 2027 through 2034 to fund these operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new funding accounts within the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund to support specific tribal water agreements. The first account provides $45 million annually from 2026 to 2035 to cover ongoing maintenance and repair costs for five existing settlements involving the Ak-Chin, Colorado Ute, Hualapai, and other tribes. The second account allocates $250 million annually over the same period to help complete new or continuing water rights settlements approved by Congress. These funds are managed by the Secretary of the Interior and can be transferred directly to tribal trust funds without needing additional yearly approval from Congress. Additionally, the legislation extends the expiration date for certain customs user fees from December 31, 2031, to September 30, 2035.

Maddy summaryThe FENCE Act allows farmers and ranchers receiving emergency conservation funding to use new or emerging fencing technologies when repairing or replacing existing fences. This provision applies specifically to the emergency conservation program established under the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978. The key requirement is that adopting these modern technologies must not increase the overall cost of the repair or replacement project. By including this option, the bill aims to help landowners upgrade their infrastructure without additional financial burden during emergency conservation efforts.