Sen. John Kennedy

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life and legacy of Donald W. Riegle, Jr., a former U.S. Senator from Michigan who passed away in April 2026. The bill formally acknowledges his nearly three decades of public service, including his roles as a Representative and Senator, and highlights his significant contributions to legislation on banking, housing, and veterans' health. It also expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and directs officials to share the resolution with the House of Representatives and send a copy to Riegle's family. Finally, the Senate will stand in adjournment as a mark of respect for the former senator when the session concludes.

Maddy summaryThe Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026 automatically provides federal funding for government programs if Congress fails to pass a budget by the start of a new fiscal year. This mechanism supplies money for 14-day periods that can be extended as long as the shutdown continues, ensuring essential services like food assistance and loan programs keep running without interruption. To prevent political games during these shutdowns, the bill restricts official travel for government officials and limits what Congress can debate or vote on, except for passing a new budget or addressing the national debt limit.

Maddy summaryThe PATCH Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to explicitly define medical debt and prohibit creditors from using it when making lending decisions. Specifically, the bill requires consumer reporting agencies to exclude information about unpaid medical bills from credit reports, even if those debts have been sent to collections. Additionally, it directs the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to update federal regulations to ban lenders from obtaining or using medical debt data to determine creditworthiness. These changes directly affect individuals with medical bills and financial institutions that currently consider such debts when evaluating loan applications.

Maddy summaryThe Discount Window Preparedness Act requires banks and credit unions to prove they can quickly borrow emergency funds from the Federal Reserve by conducting regular operational tests and maintaining sufficient collateral. To support this, the bill mandates that regulators create new rules for testing frequency based on bank size, such as quarterly checks for the largest institutions, and integrates these readiness assessments into routine safety examinations. The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve to upgrade its systems by extending borrowing hours to 8 p.m., launching an online platform for faster access, and simplifying the process for using small business loans as collateral. Additionally, the act calls for a review of how the Federal Reserve reports its borrowing data to prevent market speculation and requires a study on ways to reduce the stigma banks feel when seeking these funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the enforcement of contractual clauses that prevent victims of sexual abuse of minors from disclosing their abuse or related facts. It directly affects survivors of child sexual abuse, alleged perpetrators, and any parties to agreements containing such nondisclosure provisions. The law declares these clauses void and unenforceable under public policy, applies retroactively to agreements made before or after enactment, and preempts state laws that would allow enforcement of prohibited clauses. The bill also preserves the ability to settle cases while still allowing disclosure of abuse-related information.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of John Seymour, a late U.S. Senator from California, by formally acknowledging his public service and contributions. The document details his career highlights, including his roles as Mayor of Anaheim, his work in securing the relocation of the Los Angeles Rams, and his legislative achievements such as passing a major transportation bill. It also lists his committee assignments and advocacy for issues like special education, women's rights, and environmental protection. Finally, the resolution requests that the Senate Secretary communicate this tribute to the House of Representatives and send a copy to Seymour's family.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers across the United States. The measure formally recognizes the service and sacrifices of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers, including those who have died in the line of duty during 2025 and early 2026. By invoking existing federal authority, the bill encourages the public and government agencies to observe this week by acknowledging the essential mission of police work and supporting officer safety. The resolution also expresses condolences to the families of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and reaffirms support for communities served by law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis resolution would withhold Senators' pay during any government shutdown (defined as a lapse in federal funding for agencies or departments) and release it once the shutdown ends. It applies automatically to all Senators and takes effect after the 2026 election. The resolution does not alter government funding levels but ties Senators' compensation to the resolution of shutdowns.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2026 mandates that private health plans, including those under Medicare, ERISA, and the Internal Revenue Code, cover specific insulin products starting in 2027 without applying deductibles. For these covered insulins, the law limits patient out-of-pocket costs to the lesser of $35 per 30-day supply or 25% of the negotiated price, while also counting these payments toward annual deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. The legislation defines "selected insulin products" to include at least one dosage form of each type available, such as rapid-acting or long-acting varieties, but does not require coverage for insulins outside this selection. Additionally, the bill establishes a program to reimburse healthcare providers and pharmacies up to $35 for insulin dispensed to uninsured individuals, ensuring they do not hold the patients liable for the cost.

Maddy summaryThe VICTIM Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to help local, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies improve their clearance rates for homicides and firearm-related violent crimes. Funds awarded to eligible entities can be used to hire and train investigators, upgrade forensic technology, implement evidence-based investigative strategies, and provide support services for victims and their families. The legislation also mandates strict oversight measures, requiring grant recipients to submit annual reports on their progress and undergo regular audits to ensure funds are not misused. Additionally, the act sets aside specific portions of the funding to guarantee that rural and Tribal law enforcement agencies receive a share of the available resources.