Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that retirement plan fiduciaries must prioritize financial factors - such as investment risk and return - when selecting investments or voting on shareholder matters. It prohibits using nonfinancial goals (like environmental or social objectives) to choose investments or votes unless financial factors are equal, requiring detailed documentation for such decisions. For shareholder voting, it allows plans to adopt "safe harbor" policies that limit voting to proposals with material economic impact (e.g., when a plan holds significant stakes in a company), while mandating records of all voting activity. The law applies to ERISA-covered retirement plans (like 401(k)s), taking effect for investment decisions one year after enactment and for shareholder voting starting January 1, 2026.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that critical firearm-related operations continue during government shutdowns by designating them as "excepted" under federal law. It specifically covers the FBI's background check system (NICS), ATF enforcement programs, Commerce Department firearm export licensing, and State Department defense trade controls. These functions would remain operational even if most government services halt, directly affecting firearm background checks and export licensing processes. The policy change prevents temporary disruptions to gun sales and international firearm transactions during shutdowns.
Maddy summaryThis bill ensures military personnel and their support staff continue receiving pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2026. It authorizes funds from the Treasury to cover pay and allowances for active-duty service members, reserves, military support civilians (including Coast Guard staff), and qualifying contractors if regular budget appropriations aren't approved. The funding remains available until the earliest of: a new budget passing, a continuing resolution without this funding, or January 1, 2027. It directly affects all active-duty military, reserve components, and civilian/contractor support staff within the Department of Defense and Coast Guard.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit an annual report to Congress detailing causes of death among veterans. The report must include specific data for each veteran who died during the reporting period, such as whether they had a total service-connected disability, their primary and secondary causes of death, and the manner of death (e.g., natural, accident). It also mandates statistics on the total number of veterans dying from each primary cause and manner. The reporting requirement expires five years after the bill's enactment. This affects Congress by providing data to inform future veteran care policies, with no direct impact on veterans or their families.
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act of 2025 This bill expands eligibility for and modifies administration of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship. The scholarship allows individuals who are entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance and are pursuing eligible degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or health care to receive up to nine additional months of benefits (capped at $30,000). The bill eliminates the requirement that an individual must have less than 180 days of remaining educational assistance entitlement (or no entitlement remaining) to be eligible for the scholarship. Additionally, the bill reduces by 25% the number of credits an individual must have completed in order to be eligible for the scholarship. In situations where there are insufficient funds available in a fiscal year, the bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to give priority to individuals who have used the most months of their educational assistance entitlement and those who are using their entitlement to pursue a program of post-secondary education in specified fields (e.g., engineering). The bill specifies that individuals who receive the scholarship benefit may only use the benefit after they have used all of their educational assistance entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or donations related to state and local ballot initiatives and referenda. It amends existing federal election laws to explicitly include these types of elections under the current restrictions on foreign political spending. The changes apply to any contributions made on or after the date the bill becomes law. This measure aims to prevent foreign influence in direct democracy processes at the state and local levels.
Maddy summarySRES 446 is a ceremonial Senate resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy's founding on October 13, 1775. It recognizes the Navy's historical role in protecting U.S. interests and acknowledges its current size (over 290 ships, 3,700 aircraft, and 590,000 personnel). The resolution expresses appreciation for the service of Navy personnel past and present and reaffirms Senate support for the Navy as a key national defense force. It has no binding effect or policy changes, serving solely as a symbolic tribute.
Veterans' Infrastructure and Transformation Act of 2025 or the VITAL Act of 2025 This bill addresses various policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) infrastructure and facilities, including those related to construction projects. The bill modifies the VA’s authority to share health care resources, including by providing for a simplified agreement process to share physical space (e.g., a building or parking facility) or common services (e.g., electricity). The bill also modifies the VA’s authority to lease its real property (enhanced-use leases). Specifically, the bill allows for the exchange of real property that is assessed to be of similar value and removes the cap on the length of an enhanced-use lease. The bill requires the VA to implement a seven-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of entering into enhanced-use leases for noncash consideration. Among other elements, the bill also authorizes the VA to use commercial codes and standards instead of or in addition to federal codes and standards in constructing or altering VA facilities, authorizes the VA to contract with private entities for comprehensive construction project management services, expands and extends the pilot program under which the VA may accept donations of real property and facilities, modifies the authority and responsibilities of the VA’s Director of Construction and Facilities Management, and requires the VA to consolidate certain employees and functions relating to facilities and infrastructure as well as acquisition and procurement.
Maddy summaryThe Gas Can Freedom Act of 2025 repeals two existing federal safety laws: the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2020 and the Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act. It removes current requirements for portable fuel containers to include flame mitigation devices or child-resistant features. The bill also prohibits the Consumer Product Safety Commission from creating new rules mandating these safety features in the future. This directly affects manufacturers of portable fuel containers and the CPSC, eliminating existing regulatory requirements and preventing new ones.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 438) condemns Hamas for the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people - including 40 U.S. citizens - and took 251 hostages. It supports an outcome ensuring Israel’s "forever survival," destroying Hamas’s ability to regroup, and securing the release of all remaining hostages, including two U.S. citizens held in Gaza. The resolution also condemns antisemitic protests in the U.S. that damaged property and threatened Jewish Americans’ safety. As a non-binding Senate resolution, it expresses symbolic support for U.S. policy toward Israel but does not create new laws or allocate funds. It directly affects U.S. diplomatic positioning on the Israel-Hamas conflict and hostage negotiations.