Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act This act permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. Under the act, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues (e.g., offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term). Additionally, the act establishes a new, alternative registration process for certain schedule I research. The act also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances, waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration. Finally, the act expresses the sense that Congress agrees with the interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act in United States v. McCray , a 2018 case decided by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. In that case, the court held that butyryl fentanyl, a controlled substance, can be considered an analogue of fentanyl even though, under the Controlled Substances Act, the term controlled substance analogue specifically excludes a controlled substance.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal program providing child care assistance to working families with children under age 6 through direct child care certificates that parents can use to pay for high-quality child care services. States must develop plans with payment rates covering provider costs and wages, sliding fee scales based on family income (with no copayment for families earning under 85% of state median income), and policies prioritizing vulnerable children including those with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, or from low-income families. The program requires providers to meet quality standards, prohibit suspensions/expulsions, and implement quality improvement activities while ensuring accessibility for underserved populations. It is funded through significant federal appropriations for fiscal years 2026-2031.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the minting of commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2034 Salt Lake City Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It specifies four coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, half-dollar, and proof silver $1) with defined quantities and designs reflecting U.S. athletic participation. A surcharge on each coin sale (e.g., $35 for $5 coins) funds the respective Olympic committees' legacy programs, including youth sports initiatives. The coins are legal tender but intended solely for commemoration, with surcharges directed to the organizing committees after covering minting costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2271) requires the U.S. Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress within 270 days of enactment. The report must detail current U.S. security cooperation with Guyana and identify additional U.S. assistance needed to help deter a potential Venezuelan attack on Guyana. It directly affects the Department of Defense and the Armed Services committees in Congress. The bill does not change policy but mandates a specific review of security relations with Guyana. (2 sentences)
Maddy summaryS 2242, the Counternarcotics Enhancement Act, requires U.S. intelligence agencies to strengthen collaboration with Mexico's government on counternarcotics efforts. Within 60 days of enactment, each intelligence agency must assess its existing relationships with Mexican counterparts and propose strategies for improved cooperation, including resource needs. The Director of National Intelligence must then compile these submissions and develop an unclassified action plan with recommendations for 2026, including potential authority or funding changes. This bill directly affects U.S. intelligence community elements and their coordination with Mexican government agencies on drug trafficking issues.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal pay rules to expand eligibility for higher overtime rates to U.S. Border Patrol agents in grades GS-12 through GS-15. It directly affects these supervisory agents by allowing them to receive increased overtime pay previously only available to GS-12 agents. The key change modifies the pay code wording to remove the "GS-12" restriction, making all agents in that pay range eligible. This is a concrete policy change to improve retention for supervisory Border Patrol staff. The bill does not alter base pay or other benefits, only the overtime compensation structure for specific grades.
Maddy summarySRES 312 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating June 2025 as "LGBTQ Pride Month" to honor the LGBTQ community's historical struggles and contributions to U.S. society. The resolution expresses symbolic support for LGBTQ rights and highlights ongoing challenges like discrimination in housing, employment, and healthcare, without creating new laws or policies. It serves as a formal acknowledgment by the Senate to promote awareness of LGBTQ history and advocacy, but has no legal effect on government actions or individual rights. The resolution was introduced by multiple senators and includes a preamble detailing key milestones in LGBTQ equality efforts.
Maddy summaryS 2219, the BEACON Act, creates a new Inspector General (IG) office specifically for the Executive Office of the President (including the White House and senior advisors). The bill requires the President to appoint this IG within 120 days, with special rules allowing the President to block certain investigations involving intelligence sources or operations - though the President must notify the IG and Congress within 30 days. The IG must submit semiannual reports to both the President and Congress detailing oversight work, corrective actions taken, and any blocked investigations. This bill directly affects White House operations by establishing new oversight mechanisms for the Executive Office, focusing on accountability for classified information and government efficiency.
Maddy summaryS 2225, the Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025, allows physical therapists to use temporary replacement therapists (locum tenens) under Medicare for outpatient physical therapy services. The bill amends Medicare rules to apply the same provisions currently used for physicians' services to physical therapy services, meaning therapists can now fill in gaps during staff shortages without disrupting patient care. This directly affects physical therapists providing Medicare-covered outpatient therapy and Medicare beneficiaries receiving those services. The change takes effect after the bill is enacted, ensuring continuity of care when therapists are unavailable.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes two existing federal diabetes programs through 2027. It provides $160 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for the Special Diabetes Program for Type I Diabetes (serving people with Type I diabetes) and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (serving Native American communities through Indian Health Services). A final $40 million is allocated for October-December 2027 for both programs, with all funds remaining available until expended. The bill extends current funding levels without changing program eligibility or structure.