Sen. Mark Kelly

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 2024 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month" and formally recognizes local news as essential to democracy. It affirms that local journalism serves a vital public function by informing communities, supporting civic engagement, and holding local government accountable. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding - it is a symbolic acknowledgment of the critical role local news plays in democratic communities. It highlights the severe decline in local news outlets (including the loss of nearly 2,900 print newspapers since 2005) but focuses solely on recognition, not policy action.

Maddy summaryThe Drought Resilient Infrastructure Act of 2024 authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement water conservation measures and prioritize water supply during droughts for projects under its management. It establishes a new program for drought resilience projects in the seven Colorado River Basin states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming), authorizing $35 million annually with a 10% non-Federal cost share requirement. The bill allows for modifications to existing projects to include features like improved water storage, removal of invasive species that worsen drought conditions (such as salt cedar), and use of natural or nature-based solutions. It also establishes a pilot program for forecast-informed reservoir operations and requires coordination with states while maintaining existing water rights and state water laws.

Maddy summaryThe Contaminated Lands Reclamation Act of 2024 creates a $35 million annual grant program (2025-2030) to help Alaska Native Corporations and Indian Tribes remediate contamination on lands conveyed to them under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). The bill explicitly allows funding for lands contaminated after conveyance if the Federal Government didn't cause the contamination, and expands eligibility for existing Brownfields funding programs to include ANCSA land. It also establishes a pilot program enabling Indian Tribes to directly manage eligible projects like water infrastructure. The legislation requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a cleanup plan within 180 days and submit annual reports to Congress on progress.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution authorizes the use of the Capitol rotunda for the lying in honor of Army Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient for actions during the Korean War, on April 29, 2024. It specifically recognizes Puckett and honors the service of over 5.7 million military personnel who served in the Korean conflict (1950-1953). The Architect of the Capitol will implement this under direction from the Senate President pro tempore and House Speaker.

Maddy summaryThe Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2024 establishes a new Office within the EPA's Land and Emergency Management division to coordinate cleanup efforts at abandoned hardrock mining sites across the U.S., including sites in Indian country and Navajo Nation uranium mine areas. The Office will annually identify priority sites for cleanup, develop best practices for remediation, and coordinate with tribes, states, and federal agencies like the Department of Energy. It specifically requires a 10-year interagency plan by 2027 to address uranium contamination on Navajo Nation lands, including funding targets and agency responsibilities. The bill does not create new EPA regulatory powers but streamlines existing cleanup coordination. It directly affects EPA operations, tribal governments, and communities near abandoned mine sites lacking responsible parties.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 updates the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program to create more affordable housing options. Key provisions include increasing state funding allocations through revised per capita and minimum amount calculations, modifying tenant eligibility rules to better protect vulnerable populations (including domestic violence victims), and expanding the program's reach to Native American communities and rural areas. The bill also changes the program's name from "Low-income Housing Credit" to "Affordable Housing Credit" and makes administrative improvements to enhance transparency and accountability. These changes aim to make it easier for developers to create and maintain affordable housing units for low- and moderate-income households.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, which incentivizes private investment in low-income communities. It modifies the tax code to keep the credit available indefinitely (replacing the previous 2020-2025 timeframe) and adds automatic annual inflation adjustments to the credit amount. The extension specifically benefits community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and investors who make qualified equity investments in designated low-income areas. It also provides relief from the alternative minimum tax for credits tied to investments made after December 2022.

Maddy summaryThe ACES Act (S 4111) directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to contract the National Academies to study cancer rates among military aircrew members who served on active duty in fixed-wing aircraft (e.g., pilots, navigators). The study will identify potential exposure risks (like chemicals) and examine links to specific cancers - including brain, lung, prostate, and melanoma skin cancers - using VA, Defense, and national health data. It requires the National Academies to report findings to Congress, focusing on prevalence and mortality patterns among covered veterans. This bill creates a data-gathering process but does not alter benefits or create new obligations.

Maddy summaryThe Countering Antisemitism Act establishes a National Coordinator within the Executive Office of the President and an Interagency Task Force to coordinate federal efforts against antisemitism across government agencies. The bill requires annual threat assessments of antisemitic violent extremism from the FBI, DHS, and National Counterterrorism Center, and mandates reports from relevant agencies on implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. It also requires the Department of Education to designate a senior officer to address antisemitic discrimination in higher education and to report on complaints, while directing a study on Holocaust education in schools. Additionally, the legislation amends the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to require public reporting on grant applications and awards, and designates May as Jewish American Heritage Month.

Maddy summaryThe REPO for Ukrainians Act authorizes the U.S. government to confiscate Russian sovereign assets held in the United States and use them to compensate Ukraine for damages caused by Russia's invasion. It establishes a Ukraine Support Fund to hold these assets and directs funds to be used for Ukraine's reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and rebuilding efforts. The bill prohibits releasing these assets until hostilities cease and full compensation is made to Ukraine or Russia participates in a bona fide international compensation mechanism. It requires regular reports to Congress on asset use and establishes mechanisms for international coordination with allies on using these assets for Ukraine's reconstruction.