Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Maddy summarySRES 593 is a Senate resolution honoring the 67 victims of the January 29, 2025 mid-air collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 over the Potomac River. It specifically recognizes the lives of all victims, including 11 U.S. figure skating athletes, their families, and 3 Army soldiers, as well as the 1,700+ first responders who assisted in the recovery efforts. The resolution offers condolences to affected families, acknowledges the bravery of emergency personnel, and commits the Senate to using safety lessons from the crash to prevent future incidents. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or provide direct benefits but serves to formally memorialize the tragedy and honor those impacted.

Maddy summaryThe Empowering States' Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2026 would amend federal consumer credit law to require that annual percentage rates (APRs) for non-mortgage consumer credit - such as credit cards and personal loans - cannot exceed the maximum rate permitted by the state where the consumer resides. This means state laws, not federal limits, would set the cap for these products, directly affecting consumers in states with lower interest rate restrictions and the financial institutions offering these services. The bill adds a new section (140B) to the Truth in Lending Act, explicitly overriding federal APR rules for non-mortgage transactions. It does not apply to residential mortgages.

Maddy summarySRES 585 is a commemorative resolution honoring Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a former U.S. Senator from Colorado and the first Native American to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. It recognizes his military service, Olympic judo career, legislative work (including authoring the National Museum of the American Indian Act), and advocacy for tribal communities. The resolution has no policy impact - it formally expresses the Senate’s respect for his legacy, requests transmission to his family, and directs a moment of silence. It directly affects Campbell’s legacy and family, not any current policy or population. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with legislative provisions.)

Maddy summarySJRES 84 is a joint resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Affordable Care Act. The rule, published in the Federal Register on June 25, 2025, aimed to improve affordability and integrity in health insurance marketplaces. If approved, this resolution would invalidate the rule under a federal disapproval process, preventing its implementation. This directly affects how health insurance plans are structured and priced for consumers using ACA marketplaces.

Maddy summaryS 3599, the Affordable CHOICE Act, establishes a new government-run health insurance plan to compete with private insurers through existing health insurance marketplaces (Exchanges) starting in 2027. It directly affects consumers purchasing coverage through these Exchanges by offering bronze, silver, and gold plan tiers with premiums set to cover both health benefits and administrative costs. Key provisions require the federal government to negotiate provider payment rates (using Medicare rates as a fallback), prohibit transferring insurance risk to contractors, and mandate state-level advisory councils to recommend improvements. The plan must comply with existing ACA rules on benefits and consumer protections while aiming to provide affordable, high-quality coverage nationwide.

Maddy summaryThis resolution seeks congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that approved South Dakota's "Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period," which addresses air quality standards to reduce haze in national parks. If passed, the resolution would nullify the EPA's approval, preventing the rule from taking effect and directly affecting how South Dakota implements its state air quality program under federal oversight. The mechanism is a standard procedural disapproval under Title 5, U.S. Code, allowing Congress to block agency rules without changing substantive policy. This is a procedural action targeting a specific EPA rule, not a new environmental policy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and honors the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and Capitol staff (including custodial, janitorial, and maintenance personnel) who protected the building during the assault. It recognizes their bravery in defending Congress during the attack, which injured over 100 officers and contributed to five officer deaths, and acknowledges their ongoing essential work in maintaining Capitol operations. The resolution expresses Senate gratitude for their service and reaffirms commitment to protecting democratic processes. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds to compensate individuals prosecuted for the January 6 Capitol attack, including those later pardoned. It bans using funds from the Judgment Fund, victim compensation programs, or creating new compensation funds for these individuals. Additionally, it prevents refunds of court-ordered restitution, fines, or special assessments paid by convicted rioters, directing any such funds to the Architect of the Capitol instead. The law directly affects people convicted (or pardoned) for involvement in the January 6 attack.

Maddy summaryS 3581, the "No Settlements for January 6 Law Enforcement Assaulters Act," prohibits using federal funds (including the Judgment Fund) to settle claims by individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach. It directly affects those convicted under federal or D.C. law for assaulting officers during the Capitol events, banning settlements for claims related to harm suffered during the events or prosecution for those acts. The bill's key mechanism blocks all federal financial obligations for such settlements, regardless of the claim's basis. This is a substantive policy change affecting legal settlements for specific convicted individuals, not a procedural measure.

Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act This bill reauthorizes and modifies administration of Marine Debris Program (MDP) activities and the Marine Debris Foundation. (The program and the foundation support efforts to assess, prevent, and otherwise address marine debris and its adverse impacts on the U.S. economy, the marine environment, and navigation safety.) First, the bill reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Marine Debris Program through FY2029. The bill authorizes NOAA to provide contributions for MDP project costs on an in-kind basis in an amount that NOAA determines represents the value it derives from the project. The bill also authorizes NOAA to enter into agreements other than cooperative agreements, contracts, and grant agreements for projects. Next, the bill modifies requirements for the Marine Debris Foundation and reauthorizes it for FY2025. Among other changes, the bill designates the current Chief Operating Officer (i.e., the first officer or employee appointed by the board) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and specifies that the board has the authority to appoint, review the performance of, and remove the CEO. The bill authorizes the CEO to appoint, supervise, and remove foundation employees and officers. Further, the bill directs the foundation to develop and implement best practices for conducting outreach to Indian tribes and tribal governments. The foundation must locate its principal office in the National Capital Region or a coastal shoreline community. Finally, the bill authorizes the foundation to match contributions from regional organizations, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and foreign governments.