Maddy summaryThis joint resolution requires the removal of U.S. military forces from ongoing operations against foreign terrorist organizations designated after February 20, 2025, states where those groups operate, and non-state entities involved in drug trafficking, unless Congress has explicitly authorized such actions through a declaration of war or specific statute. It cites two recent military strikes (September 2 and 15, 2025) as examples of hostilities lacking congressional authorization, noting Congress has not received sufficient information about these operations. The resolution allows military action for self-defense against an armed attack or in authorized counternarcotics operations, but clarifies that drug trafficking alone does not constitute an armed attack justifying force. The bill aims to enforce Congress's constitutional authority to authorize military force, as required by the War Powers Resolution.
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Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution expresses concern about rising book bans in schools and libraries, citing data showing over 6,800 individual book removals since July 2024 across 23 states. It highlights how bans disproportionately target books about race, LGBTQ+ experiences, and marginalized histories - such as *The Handmaid’s Tale* and *Maus* - and urges schools to follow established guidelines for handling book challenges. The resolution calls for returning books removed from military schools under recent executive orders and opposes content-based censorship in public education.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the federal Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program through 2030, extending funding and updating data collection requirements. It mandates the CDC to track TBI causes, risk factors, and high-risk populations (like those in certain occupations, domestic violence survivors, or public safety officers), and requires public reporting of aggregated TBI data on CDC websites. The bill modifies state grant programs to include tribal partnerships, maintain non-Federal funding levels, and allow limited matching fund waivers. It also directs the HHS Secretary to report on data gaps and conduct a study on long-term TBI symptoms, with findings due within two years of enactment. The changes directly affect federal agencies (CDC, HHS), state governments, tribal organizations, and healthcare providers receiving TBI-related grants.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides temporary relief to federal workers during government shutdowns by pausing specific civil obligations. It directly affects federal employees (including contractor employees) who are furloughed or working without pay, suspending actions like evictions, mortgage foreclosures, student loan collections, tax payments, and insurance lapses during the shutdown and for 30 days afterward. Key mechanisms include court-ordered stays for rent, mortgages, and loans; automatic student loan deferment; tax payment deferrals; and protection against insurance policy termination due to unpaid premiums. The relief applies only to civil matters (not criminal cases or child support) and requires court involvement for certain actions.
Maddy summaryS 2977, the FAST Justice Act, creates a 120-day timeline for the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to act on federal employee appeals. If the MSPB fails to take action within 120 days (excluding certain cases), affected federal employees or job applicants can file a civil lawsuit in federal court. The bill specifies where these lawsuits may be filed - based on where the personnel action occurred, where the employee would have worked, or the agency's main office - and ensures courts use the standard review applicable to MSPB decisions. This procedural change directly affects federal workers whose appeals are stalled at the MSPB, aiming to expedite resolution of personnel disputes.
Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SRES 435), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally honors the late Brian Douglas Wilson (1942-2025), founder of the Beach Boys and acclaimed musician, recognizing his contributions as a "rock-n-roll and pop icon," composer, and innovator. The resolution highlights his musical legacy - including hits like "Good Vibrations," the album *Pet Sounds*, and advocacy for mental health - without creating any new laws or affecting specific groups. It serves as a symbolic tribute from the U.S. Senate to his cultural impact.
Maddy summarySRES 422 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a serious health condition affecting many women and girls. It formally supports designating September 2025 as "PCOS Awareness Month" to raise public and medical awareness about PCOS and its related health risks, including infertility, diabetes, heart disease, and mental health challenges. The resolution urges improved diagnosis, treatment, and research but does not create new laws or allocate funding. Introduced by Senators Warren, Fischer, Blumenthal, and others, it serves solely as an awareness tool without legal force.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution SRES 406 designates September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Impact Aid program. The program reimburses school districts near federal properties (such as military bases, Indian lands, and federal facilities) for lost tax revenue, ensuring they can provide quality education. This resolution formally recognizes the program’s role in supporting over 1,100 school districts serving more than 8 million students across 4.7 million acres of federally owned land. It is a ceremonial resolution with no new policy changes or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows federal contractors, their employees, and certain federal grant recipients or District of Columbia government workers affected by government shutdowns to withdraw up to $30,000 (adjusted for inflation) from retirement plans without the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. Withdrawals must be repaid within three years to avoid tax consequences, and the withdrawn amount is spread over three years for tax purposes. It specifically applies during periods of federal appropriations lapses (at least two weeks) when workers face unpaid leave or reduced pay. The bill modifies tax rules to treat these distributions as eligible for penalty-free access under defined circumstances.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to adjust contract prices for contractors affected by government funding lapses (like shutdowns), ensuring contractors can cover costs for employees who were furloughed, laid off, or had reduced hours. It mandates that contractors receive reimbursement for paying employees at their standard rate during the lapse or restoring paid leave used instead of work. The reimbursement is capped at $1,442 per week (pro-rated for part-time workers), and contractors must provide proof of costs to the agency. Agencies must report to Congress within a year on how many contractor employees were impacted and how compensation was handled.