Maddy summaryThis bill retroactively restores pay, benefits, and seniority for senior military officers (O-7 rank or higher) whose promotions were delayed due to a Senate confirmation suspension starting in February 2023. It applies specifically to officers confirmed between December 5-31, 2023, who faced delays because the Senate paused its advice-and-consent process for such appointments. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to pay retroactive compensation from a defined date (the later of 30 days after Senate calendar placement or the original appointment date) and use that date for determining the officer's seniority in their new rank. It directly affects military personnel whose career progression was impacted by the confirmation delay, without creating new policy or changing appointment procedures.
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Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a law with policy changes). It commemorates the 80th anniversary of the 1943 Magnuson Act repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The Senate resolution symbolically acknowledges the historical injustice of the exclusion laws and reaffirms commitment to civil rights for Asian Americans. It does not create new policies or directly affect any individuals or groups.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 510) expresses the Senate's support for respecting the FDA's scientific determination that mifepristone - a medication used for early pregnancy termination - is safe and effective. It calls for abortion care policies to be "equitable and based on science," emphasizing the FDA's authority to regulate the drug without interference, including its 2023 update allowing mail-order access. The resolution directly addresses the impact of state restrictions on medication abortion, noting that such policies disproportionately affect Black and Indigenous people, people of color, low-income individuals, rural communities, and other marginalized groups. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but urges alignment with FDA science to protect access to this time-sensitive care.
Maddy summaryS 3515, the MAILS Act, requires the U.S. Postal Service to create a formal process for local governments to request new post offices within 90 days of enactment. It restricts temporary post office relocations (like for holidays) to no more than two days without community input, mandates 30-day written notice to local officials before such relocations, and requires public notice and presentations 15 days in advance. The Postal Service must also provide periodic updates to local officials every 60 days during relocations and submit detailed reports to Congress for relocations exceeding 180 days, explaining compliance with communication rules and reasons for extensions. This bill directly affects communities with post offices and local government officials seeking to influence postal service operations.
Maddy summaryThe Predatory Lending Elimination Act (S 3549) would extend the military lending rate cap - currently protecting service members and their families - to most consumer credit products, including credit cards, while exempting residential mortgages, car loans used solely for vehicle purchases, and Federal credit union loans. It sets a maximum interest rate and restricts certain fees on credit cards, such as those for credit insurance and ancillary products, to prevent hidden costs. States may enforce these rules through their attorneys general or regulators within three years of a violation, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must issue implementing rules within one year that align with existing military lending protections. This bill directly affects creditors offering consumer credit and aims to limit predatory lending practices across most credit markets.
Maddy summaryThe Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (S 1418) strengthens privacy protections for children under 13 and teens aged 12-17 online. It requires websites, apps, and connected devices that target children or teens, or are reasonably likely to be used by them, to obtain verifiable consent from parents for children and from teens themselves for those aged 12-17 before collecting personal information. The bill prohibits targeted marketing to children and teens, establishes a "Digital Marketing Bill of Rights for Teens," and creates a Youth Privacy and Marketing Division within the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these rules. It also sets out specific Fair Information Practices Principles requiring transparency, data accuracy, security, and proper data disposal for children's and teens' personal information.
Maddy summaryThe Kids Online Safety Act requires social media platforms and other online services used by minors to implement safety features protecting children under 17. It mandates default privacy controls, limits addictive features like automatic media playback, restricts advertising of harmful products (tobacco, gambling, alcohol) to minors, and requires annual transparency reports about online risks. Platforms with over 10 million monthly U.S. users must provide parental tools, conduct independent audits, and make de-identified data available for research on online harms. The bill focuses on preventing mental health disorders, bullying, sexual exploitation, and addictive behaviors through platform design changes.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 492) honoring the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. It expresses the Senate's condolences for her passing and recognizes her lifetime of humanitarian work, including her advocacy for mental health care, founding of caregiver support programs, and service with The Carter Center. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2023.
Maddy summaryThe Clean Competition Act establishes a carbon intensity charge on covered primary goods produced domestically or imported into the United States. It requires covered entities in specific industries (including petroleum, chemicals, cement, and coal) to report annual emissions data, calculates carbon intensity as emissions divided by goods produced, and imposes a charge when a facility's carbon intensity exceeds industry benchmarks. The charge equals the difference between a facility's carbon intensity and the industry benchmark, multiplied by the carbon price ($55 in 2025, increasing annually) and the weight of goods produced. The bill also includes rebates for exported goods and creates a grant program to fund carbon-reducing technology investments in eligible facilities. The carbon price increases annually based on inflation, with specific industry benchmarks determined by the Secretary.
Maddy summaryThe SAFER Banking Act provides legal protections for banks and financial institutions that serve state-legal marijuana businesses and related service providers. It creates a "safe harbor" preventing federal banking regulators from penalizing institutions for offering services to these businesses, even though marijuana remains illegal under federal law. The bill also allows income from state-legal marijuana businesses to be considered "legal income" for mortgage qualification purposes and establishes guidance for suspicious activity reporting related to these businesses. Similar protections are extended to hemp-related businesses and service providers, without requiring banks to serve these businesses.