Sen. Tina Smith

Maddy summaryThe Postal Delivery Accountability Act requires the United States Postal Service to review and implement specific recommendations from its own Inspector General regarding undelivered and partially delivered mail routes. The law mandates that the Postal Service complete these changes within one year of the bill's enactment. This legislation directly affects mail delivery operations by addressing gaps identified in a 2022 report on delivery route performance.

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 AGE Act of 2026 creates a new tax credit to help taxpayers cover the costs of caring for elderly relatives who are at least 65 years old and need assistance with daily living. This credit allows individuals to claim up to $6,000 per year for expenses such as medical care, adult day services, personal care, respite care, and home modifications, provided the care recipient is a parent, grandparent, or other household member. The amount of the credit decreases by one percentage point for every $4,000 that a taxpayer's income exceeds $120,000, and the benefit is reduced if the taxpayer already uses a dependent care assistance program. To qualify, taxpayers must report the names, addresses, and taxpayer identification numbers of both the care providers and the elderly individuals they are supporting on their tax returns.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates May 29, 2026, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to highlight mental health issues within the farming industry. The bill aims to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness among the approximately 3.37 million agricultural producers and 1.6 million farmworkers in the United States. It acknowledges specific challenges faced by these workers, such as suicide rates that are significantly higher than the general population, and encourages the use of existing resources like the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to promote well-being rather than enacting new laws or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the Senate's commitment to reducing traffic fatalities to zero by the year 2050. It calls on Congress and the Department of Transportation to collaborate on implementing proven safety measures, such as improving data collection, prioritizing countermeasures, and addressing disparities in transportation safety. The document also encourages the use of the term "crash" instead of "accident" to better describe traffic incidents. As a non-binding expression of sense, the bill does not create new laws but serves as a formal statement of policy goals for federal agencies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally designates May 2026 as Renewable Fuels Month to honor the contributions of biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel. The bill highlights how these fuels support rural economies, create jobs, and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil. It also notes the environmental benefits, such as lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality, without imposing any new laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to create a program called the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative to improve childcare availability, quality, and affordability in rural areas. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the initiative will prioritize loans and grants for projects that support childcare services, including those run by licensed providers, schools, or Head Start programs. Funding will be distributed across rural regions to ensure a balanced geographical impact, and the Secretary must conduct an evaluation and submit a report on the program's outcomes within four years of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Elder Pride Act amends the Older Americans Act to formally recognize LGBTQI individuals and people living with HIV as distinct groups requiring specific attention. It establishes a new Office of LGBTQI Inclusion within the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate services, conduct research, and administer grants aimed at improving care for older LGBTQI people. Additionally, the bill creates a $5 million rural outreach grant program to fund initiatives that reduce isolation, enhance cultural competency among service providers, and expand sexual health services in non-urban areas. These changes are designed to ensure that aging services are more inclusive and accessible to older adults who have historically faced discrimination or lack of tailored support.

Maddy summaryThe Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act creates a new funding program to hire more counselors, psychologists, and social workers for schools with high numbers of low-income students. These funds are distributed to states, which then award subgrants to local school districts to help them reach recommended staffing ratios of 250 students per counselor, 500 per psychologist, and 250 per social worker. To qualify for the money, states must match the federal grant with their own funds and submit detailed plans showing how they will prioritize high-need schools. The bill also requires regular reporting on how many mental health staff are hired and the current student-to-staff ratios in participating schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the corporate tax rate on stock buybacks to 25 percent for large oil and gas companies that meet specific revenue and operational criteria. It targets corporations with an average annual gross receipt of at least $1 billion that are primarily engaged in producing, refining, processing, transporting, or distributing oil or natural gas. The higher tax rate applies only to stock repurchases made after the bill is enacted and before gasoline prices fall below $2.937 per gallon for five consecutive weeks. If gasoline prices drop below this threshold, the special tax provision ceases to apply, and companies may claim a partial reduction in their tax liability based on the duration of the high-price period.