Maddy summaryThe VALID Act (S 4051) prohibits U.S. airlines and foreign carriers operating in the U.S. from accepting three specific Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents or the CBP One mobile app as valid identification for boarding domestic flights. It bans the use of DHS Form I-385 (Notice to Report), DHS Form I-862 (Notice to Appear), and the CBP One Mobile Application for airline passenger identification. This directly affects travelers relying on these documents for air travel and requires airlines to stop facilitating their use. The law applies to all domestic commercial airline passengers seeking to board flights within the United States. The bill amends existing aviation and identification laws to eliminate these specific documents as acceptable forms of ID for air travel.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 607) condemns Nicaragua's imprisonment of 11 individuals affiliated with Mountain Gateway Order, Inc., who were arrested in December 2023 on unproven money laundering and organized crime charges. It highlights concerns about their lack of legal counsel and Nicaragua's pattern of targeting religious groups, including designating Nicaragua a "Country of Particular Concern" for religious freedom violations in 2022. The Senate resolution formally calls on Nicaragua to release these individuals and address violations of religious freedom and human rights. As a symbolic measure, it does not impose new legal requirements but expresses congressional opposition to Nicaragua's actions.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates March 21, 2024, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the contributions of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors, highlighting their role in farming operations, agricultural sales (accounting for 36% of U.S. farm sales in 2022), and workforce development. The resolution encourages all citizens to acknowledge women's impact on the agricultural industry and support their participation in the field through initiatives like mentorship and education. As a symbolic gesture with no legal effect, it does not create new policies or obligations but aims to raise awareness of women's roles in agriculture.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3992) prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from making new direct loans under its 7(a) program, which previously allowed the SBA to lend directly to small businesses. It specifically stops the SBA from issuing new direct loans after the bill's enactment, though it requires the SBA to continue servicing any existing direct loans made before the law took effect. The key mechanism is a clear prohibition on new direct lending, shifting future 7(a) credit access to rely on SBA-guaranteed loans through private lenders instead. This directly affects the SBA's operational authority and the structure of how small businesses access certain types of federal credit.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the INCLUDE Project at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance research on Down syndrome. It authorizes $250 million annually (2025-2029) for studies on chromosome 21’s effects, co-occurring health conditions (like Alzheimer’s and heart disease), and developing treatments. The program requires NIH to coordinate research across agencies, expand clinical trials for individuals with Down syndrome, and submit biennial reports to Congress. It directly affects NIH’s research priorities and funding for Down syndrome studies, without altering medical care for patients.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 64) seeks to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 4128, January 22, 2024) that implements provisions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act related to preventing digital discrimination. It requests Congress disapprove the rule under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, which would prevent the rule from taking effect. The resolution directly affects the FCC's ability to enforce digital discrimination prevention measures under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. If passed, the rule would have no legal force or effect, halting the FCC's regulatory action on this specific issue.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 65) seeks to disapprove an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have revised national air quality standards for tiny air particles (particulate matter), which are pollutants linked to health issues like asthma and heart disease. The EPA rule, published on March 6, 2024, proposed updating these standards to tighten pollution limits. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, maintaining the current standards without changes. This directly affects the EPA’s ability to implement the proposed revisions to air quality regulations, impacting public health protections and industry compliance requirements.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 2024 as "National Cholesterol Education Month" and September 30, 2024, as "LDL-C Awareness Day" to raise public awareness about cardiovascular health. It encourages all U.S. individuals to know their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) number, which is a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes these dates for educational purposes. It highlights existing awareness gaps, such as low rates of LDL-C testing and treatment adherence among high-risk patients. This is a procedural designation with no direct legal or financial impact on affected individuals or programs.
Maddy summaryS 3923 requires state and local law enforcement to hold criminal aliens for up to 48 hours to transfer to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), if ICE issues a detainer. It mandates that states cannot restrict sharing immigration status information with ICE and prohibits local agencies from blocking detainer compliance. The bill also creates a federal compensation program, funding states $750 million in 2025 (rising to $950 million annually through 2031) for detaining eligible criminal aliens - defined as those convicted of felonies or multiple misdemeanors who entered without inspection or violated visa status. States must comply with detainer requests to receive funding, with non-compliant jurisdictions losing eligibility.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal transportation funding rules to change how transit agencies can pay for new buses. It allows recipients of federal bus funding to make advance payments to manufacturers (up to 20% of the total cost) without needing prior government approval or requiring manufacturers to provide performance bonds. Transit agencies must still have a signed contract with advance payment terms, preaward authority, and meet other existing requirements. The change directly affects local transit agencies receiving federal funds under Title 49, streamlining their purchasing process while capping early payments to protect public funds.