Sen. Edward J. Markey

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 summaryThe Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2025 allows federal appellate and district court judges to permit media coverage of court proceedings - including photographing, recording, broadcasting, or televising - at their discretion. It requires judges to obscure witnesses' faces and voices upon request (for non-parties), prohibits broadcasting jurors or attorney-client conferences, and mandates that the Judicial Conference create mandatory guidelines within six months for protecting vulnerable witnesses like crime victims or minors. The law includes a three-year sunset for district court media authority and prohibits interlocutory appeals of judges' media coverage decisions. This bill directly affects federal courts, media organizations, and witnesses, balancing public access with due process and witness safety protections.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes and honors Cambodian veterans of the Khmer National Armed Forces for their service and sacrifices during the Vietnam War era. The bill highlights their direct support of U.S. military efforts, including intelligence gathering, combat operations, and assisting in the evacuation of American personnel from Phnom Penh in 1975. It also acknowledges the hardships these veterans faced, such as the Khmer Rouge genocide and subsequent resettlement challenges in the United States. By issuing this recognition, the Senate aims to express gratitude for their historical contributions without changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThe PFAS Alternatives Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create grant programs that help develop and train firefighters on using protective gear free from PFAS chemicals. Under this law, eligible nonprofit and educational organizations can receive funding to research next-generation turnout gear that maintains safety standards without relying on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The legislation allocates up to $25 million between 2027 and 2031 for research grants and $2 million between 2028 and 2032 for training initiatives, ensuring that new gear designs are tested and that first responders learn proper care and decontamination methods. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary to submit a progress report to Congress within two years of enactment to track the implementation of these safety improvements.

Maddy summaryThe No Robot Bosses Act prevents employers from relying predominantly on automated systems to make hiring, firing, or other employment decisions, while also requiring these systems to be transparent about how they evaluate workers. Companies using such technology must disclose how the system works, train their staff on potential biases, and allow employees to opt out of having their applications or management handled by algorithms. The bill mandates that developers and employers conduct detailed pre-deployment evaluations and annual impact assessments to ensure these tools do not discriminate or harm workers' rights. A new Fairness and Transparency Office within the Department of Labor will oversee compliance, investigate violations, and enforce penalties that include substantial fines and protections against retaliation for whistleblowers.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Spying Bosses Act establishes new federal rules to limit how employers collect, use, and share employee data, primarily affecting businesses with at least 11 workers and their employees. It prohibits employers from gathering sensitive information such as biometric scans, off-duty activities, or political views unless the data is strictly necessary for specific job functions like ensuring safety or administering benefits. The law requires employers to clearly disclose what data they collect and how it influences decisions about hiring, firing, or promotions, while also granting workers the right to access and correct their own records. To enforce these standards, the bill creates a new Worker Protection and Technology Division within the Department of Labor, which will investigate violations and provide whistleblower protections against retaliation. Additionally, the legislation invalidates pre-dispute arbitration agreements that would stop workers from joining class-action lawsuits regarding privacy violations.

Maddy summaryThe Saving the OOI Act of 2026 directs the National Science Foundation to stop using federal money to shut down or reduce the scope of the Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments located off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, and in the Irminger Sea. Instead, the bill requires the NSF to keep these ocean monitoring systems fully operational until a comprehensive review of the initiative is conducted with input from scientists and coastal communities. This legislation ensures that the existing network continues to function without interruption while the evaluation process takes place.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution reaffirms the importance of the United States protecting refugees and displaced persons globally and within the country. It highlights specific statistics on displacement crises and criticizes current administration actions, such as an indefinite suspension of refugee admissions and cuts to foreign aid. The bill calls on government officials to restore the Refugee Admissions Program, lift bans on entry, and provide humanitarian support to vulnerable populations. While it does not change existing laws, it serves as a formal statement of support for refugee rights and urges the executive branch to resume resettlement efforts.

Maddy summaryThe CHILD Labor Act strengthens existing federal protections against child labor by expanding the definition of hazardous work for minors and requiring stricter oversight of companies in supply chains. It mandates that federal contractors and recipients of federal financial assistance ensure no child under 16 is employed and that those aged 16 or 17 are not engaged in dangerous labor, with penalties for violations extending to parent companies that fail to verify their subcontractors' compliance. The legislation also increases fines for child labor offenses, allows the Department of Labor to issue stop-work orders, and establishes new civil damages for victims of these violations. Additionally, the bill requires the government to publish annual reports on work-related injuries and deaths while funding training programs to help identify and prevent child labor abuses.

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.