Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Maddy summaryThis bill expands paid parental leave for members of the reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces. It provides up to six days of paid leave per birth, adoption, or long-term foster care placement, and allows extensions beyond the standard one-year period for operational or training reasons. It also updates retirement credit calculations to include all parental leave (replacing "maternity leave" with "parental leave") for reserve members. The changes apply to leave periods beginning on or after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals two specific legal authorizations for U.S. military force against Iraq: the 1991 authorization (Public Law 102-1) and the 2002 authorization (Public Law 107-243). If enacted, it would end the legal basis for military operations in Iraq under these two resolutions. The repeal directly affects the executive branch’s authority to use military force against Iraq under these specific laws. It does not create new policy but removes existing legal permissions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 133) honors the 30th anniversary of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. It recognizes the program’s work providing free alternative education and structured discipline to at-risk youth aged 16-18, commends over 200,000 graduates, and reaffirms Senate support for the program’s mission. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but formally acknowledges the program’s role in helping youth develop skills through residential and mentoring phases. It was introduced by Senators Baldwin, Capito, Cassidy, and others in March 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill improves support for veterans who experienced military sexual trauma by establishing specialized teams to review claims, requiring the VA to provide clear information about claims processing, and expanding eligibility for counseling to include all former reserve component members. It creates a pilot program to provide interim mental health care when veterans face wait times exceeding 14 days for residential treatment. The bill also mandates annual reviews of claims accuracy and requires studies on access to care for veterans with military sexual trauma. These changes aim to make the claims process more responsive and supportive for veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to change how discrimination claims are proven. It establishes that a claim is valid when a worker shows age, disability, race, or other protected characteristic was a "motivating factor" for an employment action - even if other factors were also involved - without needing to prove it was the sole cause. For cases meeting this standard, courts can only award non-monetary remedies like injunctions or attorney fees, not back pay or reinstatement. The law applies to all pending and future claims under these statutes, affecting workers covered by ADEA (age 40+), Title VII (race/color/religion/etc.), and ADA (disability) protections.

Maddy summaryThe Access to AEDs Act (S 1024) provides $25 million in federal funding over five years (2024-2028) to help public elementary and secondary schools improve access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training. It authorizes grants for schools to purchase AEDs, train students and staff, develop emergency response plans, and partner with health organizations - such as local hospitals or fire departments - to implement these programs. The bill also requires the creation of a national database to track school AED access and share best practices, aiming to support immediate response during cardiac emergencies. This directly affects schools, students, and school staff by enhancing preparedness for sudden cardiac arrest, which the bill cites as a leading cause of death among young athletes and children.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal "National Parkinson’s Project" under the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate efforts across agencies in preventing, treating, and curing Parkinson’s disease and related conditions. It requires an integrated national plan, annual progress assessments, and a public Advisory Council - including patient advocates, researchers, and healthcare providers - to guide strategy and recommend actions. The project mandates data sharing among federal agencies and biannual reports to Congress evaluating federally funded Parkinson’s programs, aiming to improve care coordination, reduce financial burdens on Medicare and families, and advance research on environmental triggers. The law directly affects people living with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and federal health agencies involved in research and patient services. The initiative is scheduled to sunset in 2035.

Maddy summaryThe FAST Fix Act of 2023 amends the Small Business Act to prioritize federal technology funding for small businesses in states that historically receive fewer Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I awards. It defines "underperforming States" as the 18 states with the lowest SBIR/STTR Phase I awards and requires the Small Business Administration to prioritize applications from businesses in these states. The bill also sets a $500,000 funding cap per award over two years, waives matching requirements for underperforming states, and mandates biennial reporting on program outcomes and state performance. This directly affects small businesses in 18 specific states and the Small Business Administration’s administration of the FAST program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the sole lead agency for environmental reviews (NEPA) of natural gas pipeline projects, requiring other federal and state agencies to coordinate with FERC early in the process. It mandates strict deadlines (90 days after FERC completes review) for agencies to issue required permits, with public tracking of progress on FERC’s website. The bill directly affects natural gas project developers, FERC, and state/federal agencies handling permits, streamlining reviews to reduce delays. Key mechanisms include requiring agencies to join FERC’s review process or face restrictions on supplemental reviews, and mandating regular progress reports to FERC. It focuses on procedural coordination, not environmental standards, to expedite project approvals.

Maddy summaryS 989, the North American Energy Act, requires federal approval for new cross-border oil, natural gas, or electricity infrastructure projects in the U.S. It mandates that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or Secretary of Energy issue a "certificate of crossing" within 90 days for such projects, unless they're deemed not in the U.S. public interest. The bill specifically accelerates approvals for natural gas imports/exports to Canada and Mexico (requiring approval within 30 days) and eliminates the need for Presidential permits for these projects. It does not affect existing facilities or projects with pending permits, and it repeals certain existing requirements for electricity transmission approvals. This bill directly affects energy companies seeking to build new border-crossing infrastructure.