Sen. Mazie K. Hirono

Maddy summaryS 3395, the Mammography Access for Veterans Act of 2025, permanently expands telehealth mammography services for veterans by ending the previous pilot program restrictions. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide at least one mammography option - full-service, tele-screening, or mobile - in every state and Puerto Rico within two years. All programs must comply with accessibility standards for veterans with paralysis, spinal cord injuries, or other disabilities. This directly affects veterans needing breast cancer screenings, particularly those in rural areas or with mobility challenges.

Maddy summaryThe Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for Small Business Administration loans to include businesses owned by certain immigrants, such as refugees, asylees, and individuals with deferred action. To qualify, these businesses must be located in the United States and at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or nationals of the United States. The law explicitly states that businesses meeting these ownership and location requirements cannot be denied loans solely because they are owned by eligible immigrants. Additionally, the bill clarifies that it does not grant the SBA authority to increase the 51 percent ownership threshold for any type of loan.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would establish voting as a fundamental right for all citizens of legal voting age. It requires any government denial of this right to be narrowly tailored to serve a compelling interest, while also repealing specific language from the 14th Amendment related to voting rights. The amendment would grant Congress the authority to pass laws enforcing these protections against any denial or abridgment of the right to vote.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses support for library staff across public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States. It highlights the essential services libraries provide, such as equitable internet access, social support, and community resources, while calling for adequate funding at all government levels. The measure reaffirms the right of citizens to freely access information and explicitly supports the ability of library workers to unionize and collectively bargain. Additionally, it defends the civil rights of library staff against intimidation and censorship, noting recent challenges like book bans and the potential elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Maddy summaryThe HELP Separated Children Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to identify parents of U.S. children during immigration enforcement actions and ensures they can make phone calls to arrange care for their children. It requires officials to notify child welfare agencies only when a parent cannot arrange care for their child or when there is an imminent risk of harm to the child. The bill also mandates that detained parents be allowed regular contact with their children, participate in family court proceedings, and be considered for release if it serves the child's best interests. Additionally, the legislation requires federal employees involved in these actions to receive training on minimizing trauma to children and establishes a system for collecting data on how the law is implemented.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally acknowledges April as Community College Month to honor the role of over 1,000 institutions in providing affordable higher education and workforce training. The bill does not change any laws or allocate funding; instead, it serves as a symbolic statement recognizing how these colleges support economic prosperity and serve diverse student populations. By highlighting statistics on enrollment, tuition costs, and economic impact, the resolution aims to raise public awareness about the value of community colleges without imposing new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Climate Change Education Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to increase public understanding of climate change and its solutions. It authorizes funding to provide grants to schools, universities, and community organizations for developing curricula, training teachers, and supporting student-led climate projects. The legislation requires that 40 percent of certain grant funds be directed toward environmental justice communities and mandates annual reporting to Congress on the program's effectiveness. Funding is authorized at $50 million per year from 2027 through 2032 to support these educational initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, aims to overturn a specific executive order by repealing it and prohibiting the use of federal funds to implement similar directives in the future. It directly affects the United States Postal Service, various federal agencies, and state election officials by restricting their ability to regulate mail-in ballots or create national citizenship lists for voting purposes. Key provisions ban federal agencies from sharing voter registration data, compel the Postal Service to continue delivering state-issued mail ballots without interference, and forbid the use of taxpayer money to enforce rules that would require states to adopt specific citizenship verification methods. The legislation seeks to preserve the current system where states manage their own election administration while the Postal Service delivers ballots, citing historical precedents and the high volume of mail-in voting used by Americans.

Maddy summaryThe Drug Deal Disclosure Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly release specific records regarding agreements between the federal government and major drug manufacturers starting in 2025. This law mandates the disclosure of contracts that include provisions such as reduced drug prices based on international rates, direct-to-consumer sales discounts, duty exemptions, and special treatment for Medicare programs. While the bill allows for the redaction of confidential pricing details, it prohibits withholding information based on political sensitivity or reputational harm and requires a detailed justification for any redactions. Additionally, the act mandates reports to Congress and independent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the economic and budgetary impacts of these agreements.

Maddy summaryThe STAR Act amends federal transportation laws to allow transit agencies to use funds for acquiring and displaying public art. By removing specific restrictions in the United States Code, the bill enables these agencies to incorporate art projects into their existing budgeting and planning processes. This change directly affects public transportation systems that wish to integrate artistic elements into their infrastructure without needing separate funding approvals.