First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.
Maddy summaryThe Community College Agriculture Advancement Act of 2026 creates a new funding program to support junior and community colleges in expanding their agriculture and natural resources programs. The bill authorizes $20 million annually from 2027 to 2031 for competitive grants that colleges can use to improve workforce training, education, research, and outreach. Eligible institutions may use these funds to purchase equipment, hire faculty, develop apprenticeships, and offer courses in farm business management. The legislation also allows colleges to apply for a special designation as a center of excellence to demonstrate best practices and provide regional leadership.
Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025 This bill establishes requirements for the Department of the Interior related to securing U.S. access to critical minerals and rare earth element (REE) resources. Critical minerals mean any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey. REEs mean cerium, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, holmium, lanthanum, lutetium, neodymium, praseodymium, promethium, samarium, scandium, terbium, thulium, ytterbium, and yttrium. First, Interior must report on the critical mineral and REE resources, including recyclable or recycled materials containing those resources, around the world. Among other information, the report must include an assessment of the global ownership and supply of critical mineral and REE resources. Interior must submit the report within a year and every two years thereafter. Next, Interior must establish a process to assist a U.S. person—a U.S. citizen, a non-U.S. National (alien under federal law) lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an entity organized under U.S. laws—seeking to divest stock in mining, processing, or recycling operations for critical minerals and REEs in a foreign country with finding a purchaser that is not under the control of North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran. Finally, Interior must develop (1) a strategy to collaborate with U.S. allies and partners to develop advanced mining, refining, separation, processing, and recycling technologies; and (2) a method for sharing related intellectual property with U.S. allies and partners to enable those countries to license those technologies and develop their resources.
Maddy summaryThis resolution congratulates students, families, educators, and leaders of public charter schools across the United States for their contributions to education and support of National Charter Schools Week in May 2026. It recognizes the growth of the charter school sector, noting that approximately 8,000 such schools serve over 3.7 million children and operate under specific accountability measures similar to traditional public schools. The Senate formally supports the ideals of the annual celebration and encourages communities to hold events to demonstrate backing for these institutions.
Maddy summaryThis resolution supports designating the second Friday in June as National Service and Conservation Corps Day to honor the work of over 140 organizations that engage young adults and veterans in community service projects. These programs, which are descendants of the historic Civilian Conservation Corps, help participants gain skills, earn education awards, and contribute to conservation, disaster response, and infrastructure improvements. The Senate's action calls on citizens to recognize the value of national service and encourages the continued expansion of these existing nonprofit and government-run initiatives.
North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the individuals and communities that provided financial and other support for the North Platte Canteen in North Platte, Nebraska, during World War II.
Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating June 2026 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month and June 27, 2026, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day. The bill aims to raise public awareness about post-traumatic stress among military members, veterans, and their families while working to reduce the stigma often associated with the condition. By highlighting the importance of education and treatment, the resolution encourages government agencies and the medical community to continue their efforts in addressing the mental health challenges faced by those who have served.
Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2026 prohibits any person or government entity from restricting, sanctioning, or discriminating against individuals who travel to another state to receive reproductive health care that is legal there. It also protects those who assist travelers and reproductive health care providers from facing penalties for offering services to out-of-state patients, effectively overriding any conflicting state laws. The bill establishes a private right of action allowing affected individuals, organizations, and providers to sue in federal or state court for violations, with provisions for damages and attorney's fees. Additionally, it removes state sovereign immunity defenses for officials enforcing laws that interfere with this travel right, ensuring federal courts can hear such cases directly.
Maddy summaryThe Right to Record Act of 2026 establishes a federal legal right for individuals to record, observe, or peacefully protest federal law enforcement officers in public spaces, while explicitly stating that this right does not apply if a person physically restrains an officer. The bill creates a new cause of action allowing individuals to sue both the officer and the United States government for civil damages, including up to $25,000 per violation and up to $100,000 in punitive damages if the violation was committed with malice or reckless disregard. It defines specific prohibited actions such as arresting, ticketing, or intimidating someone for recording, and mandates that federal agencies provide annual training to officers on respecting these rights.
Maddy summaryThe NEW HORIZON Act directs the Department of Defense to run a five-year pilot program testing commercial orbital data centers for national security missions. This initiative aims to evaluate how space-based computing can reduce delays and improve resilience by processing data in orbit rather than on the ground. The program requires strict security measures, such as zero-trust architecture and encryption, while ensuring these new systems work with existing military networks. Officials must report their findings to Congress by December 2028 to determine if these capabilities should be adopted for regular use.
