Maddy summaryThe GOSAFE Act prohibits the sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large capacity ammunition magazines (holding more than 10 rounds) in interstate or foreign commerce, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, pre-enactment owners, and certain firearms like single-shot weapons. It requires the Attorney General to publish a list of prohibited firearms within 180 days and establishes a process for manufacturers to seek approval for new firearm designs before selling them to civilians. The bill also authorizes buy-back programs using Byrne grants to compensate individuals who surrender prohibited firearms and magazines, with penalties including fines up to $5,000 or up to 12 months in prison for violations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023 extends FISA surveillance authorities through 2035 while adding significant new protections for U.S. persons. It requires the FBI to implement stricter procedures for queries of communications, including mandatory training, approval processes for certain queries, and detailed annual reporting on surveillance activities. The bill also mandates accuracy certifications for FISA applications, enhances congressional oversight, and establishes a new FISA Reform Commission to review the surveillance system. These changes aim to balance national security needs with privacy protections for U.S. citizens.
Maddy summaryThe DAARE Act prohibits former U.S. military members (retired or separated) from accepting certain national security-related jobs with foreign governments designated as "countries of concern" or their proxies, such as intelligence, military, or internal security roles. It requires service members to certify understanding of this rule before separation and allows the Secretary of Defense to grant temporary waivers (up to 5 years) for national security reasons, with mandatory congressional notification. Violations could lead to withheld pay, benefits, or revoked security clearances. The Secretary must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing compliance, employment details, and potential security threats from such positions.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $20 million trust fund to compensate specific living victims of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing (Lockerbie attack). It defines eligible claimants as U.S. citizens who were Pan Am employees over age 45 on December 3, 1991, named in a 1994 lawsuit, and alive as of August 2008. The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission will process claims within 60 days of filing, certify eligible claimants, and determine the per-person payment amount by dividing $20 million by the total number of approved claims. Payments will be made directly to living claimants or their estates if deceased.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires large broadband providers and major online services (like social media, streaming platforms, and search engines) to contribute to the Universal Service Fund, which helps bring affordable broadband to rural and high-cost areas. It exempts smaller companies with under $5 billion in annual U.S. revenue or that transmit less than 3% of U.S. internet traffic. The Federal Communications Commission must create a new support mechanism to assist eligible rural broadband providers, limiting aid to one provider per area. The goal is to expand fund contributions and ensure predictable support for affordable broadband access.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 458) is a symbolic expression of Senate concern, not a binding law. It denounces China's economic and political engagement in Latin America, citing its growing trade ties, infrastructure investments, debt financing, and media activities. The resolution urges increased U.S. investment and diplomatic engagement in the region while condemning Chinese state media operations and supporting countries that maintain ties with Taiwan. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups directly but reflects the Senate’s position on U.S. strategic interests in Latin America.
Maddy summaryS 3266, the Focus on Learning Act, requires a federal study on mobile device impacts in schools and creates a pilot program for schools to implement "device-free environments" during school hours. Participating schools must use secure containers for student devices (with exemptions for health needs, disabilities, and translation for English learners), maintain staff communication systems, and notify parents before implementation. The program, funded with $5 million (2024-2028), allows school districts to apply for grants to install containers and lockers. It directly affects elementary and secondary schools, students (with specific exemptions), and parents through mandated communication. The study will assess impacts on learning, mental health, and school climate, with results reported to Congress.
Maddy summaryThe No Work with Adversaries Act of 2023 prohibits current and former U.S. military personnel who held specialized defense roles - such as in cyber operations, military equipment maintenance, or intelligence - from accepting employment with the governments of China or Russia. It targets positions involving critical military skills gained through U.S. service, including aviation, weapon systems, and defense acquisitions. The Secretary of Defense may grant temporary 5-year waivers for former service members if the employment won’t harm U.S. defense operations, but violations carry criminal penalties under federal law. The law requires written notice to affected individuals and applies to all such roles regardless of notice timing.
Maddy summaryThe Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act creates 40,000 new employment-based immigrant visas for healthcare workers by recapturing unused visas from fiscal years 1992-2021, with 25,000 reserved for professional nurses and 15,000 for physicians. These visas are exempt from country caps and issued based on priority date, but must be applied for within three years of the bill’s enactment and only for applicants not already eligible under existing visa allocations. The bill also requires employers to attest that hiring foreign workers won’t displace U.S. workers and mandates expedited processing for these applications without additional fees. This policy directly affects nurses and physicians seeking to immigrate for healthcare roles in the U.S., along with their eligible family members.
Maddy summaryThis bill adds coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) to the list of diseases eligible for the FDA's priority review voucher program. The voucher program gives drug companies faster FDA review for new treatments in exchange for developing medicines for neglected tropical diseases. By including coccidioidomycosis, the bill directly encourages pharmaceutical companies to develop new prevention and treatment options for this fungal infection. This primarily affects drug developers and patients in regions where coccidioidomycosis is common, such as the southwestern United States.