Sen. Christopher A. Coons

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to adjust contract prices for contractors who suspended work due to government shutdowns (lapses in appropriations). It mandates that contractors receive reimbursement for reasonable costs incurred to pay furloughed or laid-off employees their standard wages during the shutdown, or to restore paid leave used during the shutdown. The reimbursement is capped at $1,442 per week (pro-rated for part-time work) and must be documented by contractors. It directly affects federal contractors and their employees who experienced pay disruptions during the 2023-2024 government shutdowns.

Maddy summaryThe SHOP SAFE Act of 2023 holds online marketplaces (like Amazon or eBay) financially responsible if third-party sellers on their platforms sell counterfeit products that pose health or safety risks, such as unsafe consumer goods. To avoid liability, platforms must implement specific, free measures: verify seller identities, proactively screen listings for counterfeits, quickly remove suspicious items, and terminate sellers who repeatedly sell fake products. The law applies to platforms with $500,000+ in annual sales or smaller platforms after receiving 10 verified counterfeit notices. It defines "health-safety-implicating goods" as products that could cause harm if not made to safety standards (e.g., faulty electronics or unsafe toys). The bill aims to shift accountability to platforms for counterfeit sales that endanger consumers, without restricting other trademark protections.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. It calls on the Saudi government to ensure accountability for those responsible for his death, release individuals wrongfully detained (including activists and dissidents), lift travel bans on critics, and respect freedoms of assembly and expression. The resolution notes that the U.S. has already sanctioned 17 Saudi officials under the Global Magnitsky Act for their role in the murder. As a non-binding resolution, it urges the executive branch to pursue these actions without creating new legal obligations.

Maddy summarySRES 388 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating the week of September 25-29, 2023, as "National Clean Energy Week." It does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes the importance of clean energy through symbolic designation. The resolution encourages individuals, organizations, and governments to support clean energy solutions and invest in affordable, low-emission technologies. It highlights the clean energy sector’s role in job creation (citing 8.1 million U.S. jobs in 2022) and economic growth without imposing any new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 25-29, 2023, as "National Hazing Awareness Week" to highlight hazing prevention efforts. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the issue and encourages public awareness. The Senate emphasizes that hazing prevention requires ongoing commitment beyond a single week, urging communities to promote safety and well-being. It directly affects the general public, educational institutions, and campus communities by raising visibility for a longstanding concern.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2982) mandates a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) into online sales of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The GAO must examine business models used by illicit sellers, how financial transactions occur via online platforms (especially impacting users under 18), federal and state government collaboration efforts, and how platforms detect and report drug sales. The study will analyze enforcement processes, referral patterns to law enforcement, and identify gaps in current efforts. The GAO must submit a report to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment. This is a procedural study bill with no immediate policy changes or direct impact on citizens or businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Delaware River Basin Conservation program through 2030, extending its current deadline. It updates the basin's definition to include Maryland as a fifth participating state (previously a four-state basin) and adjusts cost-sharing rules to provide greater federal funding for projects serving small, rural, or disadvantaged communities - increasing the federal share to 90% (or up to 100% in cases of financial hardship). The changes directly affect the five basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and now Maryland) and communities qualifying under the new cost-sharing provisions. The bill makes no new program creation but extends existing conservation funding mechanisms with expanded eligibility for vulnerable areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires standardized presentations about Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits during preseparation counseling for service members transitioning from military to civilian life. It mandates that these presentations be reviewed by the VA and veterans service organizations before use, include information on how to file claims, and cannot promote specific organizations. The VA must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing which veterans service organizations participated, attendance numbers, and recommendations for improvement. The bill directly affects service members receiving transition assistance, ensuring they receive consistent, accurate information about VA benefits.

Maddy summaryS 2895, the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2023, makes the federal adoption tax credit refundable. This change directly affects low-income adoptive parents who previously could not claim the credit if they owed no federal income tax. The bill restructures the credit in the tax code to allow families to receive it as a direct payment, even if their tax liability was zero. It applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, and includes a transitional rule for credits carried forward from prior years. The law does not alter the credit amount or eligibility criteria, only its refundability.

Maddy summaryS 2889, the NO TIME TO Waste Act, establishes an Office of Food Loss and Waste within the Department of Agriculture to coordinate national efforts to reduce food loss and waste. The bill creates grant programs for state, local, and Tribal governments to collect data on food waste reduction policies and requires federal contractors to report on their food waste prevention efforts. It also mandates annual reports to Congress on progress toward a 50% reduction in food loss and waste by 2030, while funding a national education campaign to teach consumers about food preservation, safety, and composting. The legislation promotes public-private partnerships and regional coordination to improve food recovery infrastructure and support food recovery organizations. The bill authorizes $1.5 million annually for the Office and additional funding for related programs through 2028.