Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Maddy summaryThe Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act requires large multinational companies to publicly report their financial performance in every country where they operate. Specifically, it mandates that these firms submit detailed reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission showing revenues, profits, taxes paid, and employee counts for each jurisdiction. The law also requires this data to be provided in a machine-readable format and made available online for public access. Companies must follow specific rules for defining which entities and locations are included in these reports, with the Commission expected to issue final regulations within a year of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Disaster Relief Fairness Act of 2026 would automatically approve major disaster declarations requested by state or tribal leaders between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029, provided the damage meets specific federal thresholds. Under this bill, the President must provide the requested assistance if the incident meets certain cost or per capita damage indicators, or if a regional Federal Emergency Management Agency official determines individual aid is warranted. Additionally, the legislation prevents the President from denying disaster aid solely because a state or tribe missed a submission deadline. This law directly affects state governors, tribal chiefs, and the federal government by streamlining the approval process for disaster relief during the specified five-year period.

Maddy summaryThe Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act imposes a new excise tax on large companies where the highest-paid CEO earns significantly more than the median worker. This tax applies to employers with over $100 million in annual revenue and over $10 million in wages, charging a fee equal to the lesser of 1% of the pay gap or 1% of the company's gross receipts. The law defines the pay gap as the difference between the CEO's average compensation and 50 times the median wage of all employees earning at least $5,000, with thresholds adjusted for inflation after 2027. Companies found to be manipulating their workforce to avoid the tax could face joint liability, and the IRS will issue regulations to prevent such avoidance.

Maddy summaryThe Work Without Worry Act of 2026 changes how the Social Security Administration evaluates disability for children who receive benefits based on a parent's work record. It allows these children to be considered disabled even if their condition started before age 22 but continued after that age, removing the requirement that they remain disabled continuously until they apply for benefits. Additionally, the bill treats a child's application for benefits as a simultaneous request for their own disability or retirement benefits if they meet specific age and insurance criteria, though they will only receive the higher payment amount. These changes apply to applications filed at least two years after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryThe Water Resources Development Act of 2026 authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct numerous feasibility studies and modify existing projects focused on flood risk management, coastal storm protection, navigation improvements, and ecosystem restoration across the United States. It establishes new grant programs and funding authorizations for the Environmental Protection Agency to support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, including specific provisions for small and disadvantaged communities, lead reduction, and cybersecurity resilience. The legislation also directs the EPA to create initiatives for water sector cybersecurity, combats plastic waste, and updates regulations regarding nonpotable aquifer use for industrial wells.

Maddy summaryThe Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2026 amends federal bankruptcy laws to create a new category called "medically distressed debtor" for individuals whose debt is primarily caused by medical issues, such as illness, injury, or a loss of income due to caring for a sick family member. Under this bill, people in this category would receive special protections, including an additional $250,000 exemption for their primary home or burial plots and a waiver of certain financial tests required to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. To qualify, a debtor must show that unpaid medical expenses exceeded a specific threshold relative to their income or that their financial situation was directly impacted by a health crisis or national emergency. The legislation also requires debtors to submit a sworn statement detailing their medical costs and ensures that bankruptcy records for these individuals are excluded from their consumer credit reports. These changes apply to bankruptcy cases filed after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryThe Health and Location Data Protection Act of 2026 prohibits data brokers from buying, selling, or sharing personal location and health information, while allowing exceptions for authorized disclosures, HIPAA-compliant activities, and newsworthy public interest reporting. The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with defining specific data categories and enforcing these rules, with penalties including civil fines up to 15 percent of a company's revenue and the ability for the FTC, state attorneys general, and private individuals to sue for violations. This legislation applies to entities that trade data collected from others rather than directly from individuals, and it preempts only state laws that require the disclosure of data this bill forbids.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes June 2026 as LGBTQ Pride Month to honor the history, contributions, and ongoing struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals in the United States. The document outlines the community's achievements in civil rights and public service while highlighting persistent challenges such as discrimination in employment and housing, as well as hate crimes. It also acknowledges the global context of LGBTQ rights, noting both international progress and the persecution faced by individuals in various countries. Ultimately, the resolution expresses support for equal treatment and encourages the public to use the month to learn about and celebrate the LGBTQ community.

Maddy summaryThe Investor Choice Act of 2026 aims to give retail investors more control over how they resolve disputes with financial companies by banning mandatory arbitration clauses. Specifically, the bill prohibits stock exchanges from listing securities issued by companies that force shareholders into arbitration, and it makes it illegal for brokers, dealers, and investment advisers to require clients to use arbitration or restrict their ability to join class-action lawsuits. These rules apply to new agreements made after the law is passed, while existing contracts are only voided if no arbitration process has already started. By removing these forced arbitration requirements, the legislation allows investors to choose whether to settle disputes in court or through arbitration based on their own judgment.

Maddy summaryThe Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes Congress to award a gold medal to individuals who fought for or with the United States in the Pacific theater during World War II and were taken as prisoners of war. This recognition specifically honors those who participated in the defense of Bataan and Corregidor, including Filipino soldiers and civilians who served alongside American forces, as well as nurses and other personnel who endured the Bataan Death March and subsequent imprisonment. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the medal, which will be presented to the Smithsonian Institution for display, while also permitting the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.