Maddy summaryThe America's Revegetation and Carbon Sequestration Act of 2024 establishes a national program requiring the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to assess and address revegetation needs on Federal lands affected by wildfires, mining, or other disturbances. The bill creates regional task forces to develop 10-year strategies for planting trees and vegetation, prioritizing areas with high wildfire risk, carbon sequestration potential, and ecological benefits while working with local communities and tribal entities. It also promotes carbon sequestration through forest management, including a program to use carbon credits for forest management activities and initiatives to increase mass timber (wood construction) use in Federal buildings. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to combat invasive grasses that increase wildfire risk and establishes research programs on forest carbon storage and management.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe RISEE Act of 2023 establishes a National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund to support coastal conservation, infrastructure, and research through grants to states, tribes, and organizations. It creates a new revenue-sharing system for offshore wind projects, directing 37.5% of operating fees to eligible coastal states based on proximity to project sites. States receiving these funds must use them for coastal protection, habitat restoration, or related projects and submit annual reports detailing fund usage to the Department of Interior. The bill also updates reporting requirements for Gulf of Mexico energy revenue funds to ensure transparency about how states use these funds.
Maddy summarySRES 897 is a Senate resolution designating November 2024 as National Native American Heritage Month and recognizing the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day, as established by the 2009 Native American Heritage Day Act. It formally acknowledges the contributions of Native Americans to U.S. history, culture, and society, including their roles in agriculture, environmental stewardship, military service, and the influence of Indigenous governance concepts on the U.S. Constitution. The resolution encourages the public to observe these designations through educational programs and activities. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or communities.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to allow military families to enroll in TRICARE Select health coverage when pregnancy occurs, treating it as a "qualifying event" similar to other life changes like separation from duty. It directly affects eligible military beneficiaries (including service members and their dependents) who become pregnant during the pilot period. The program requires the Secretary of Defense to track enrollment changes monthly, disaggregated by specific scenarios (e.g., service member separation, return to duty, or pregnancy itself), and submit annual reports to Congress starting in 2026. The pilot aims to test whether recognizing pregnancy as a qualifying event improves access to prenatal care without altering existing TRICARE enrollment rules permanently.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends rules for veterans' educational assistance to streamline approval of commercial driver education programs. It creates an exemption for branch locations of educational institutions that use the same curriculum as an approved main location, rather than requiring separate approval for each branch. Educational institutions must submit annual reports verifying curriculum consistency between branches and the main location. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs can withhold exemptions when appropriate, potentially consulting with transportation authorities. This change aims to make it easier for veterans to access commercial driver training programs while maintaining quality standards.
Maddy summarySRES 888 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late James Ralph Sasser, a former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (served 1976-1993). It formally expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" over his death and requests the Secretary of the Senate transmit the resolution to his family. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or entities - it is solely a commemorative gesture. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal to tennis legend Billie Jean King in recognition of her lifelong advocacy for gender equality in sports and society. The legislation specifically acknowledges her pivotal role in advancing women's rights, including her work leading to the passage of Title IX and her efforts to establish equal prize money in tennis. Under the bill, the Secretary of the Treasury would strike a gold medal featuring an image and inscription of Billie Jean King, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. The medal would be presented by congressional leaders as a formal recognition of her contributions to American society. This is a commemorative honor, not a policy that creates new legal requirements or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Army Dustoff crews who served during the Vietnam War, recognizing their life-saving medical evacuations. The medal, to be designed by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, will be displayed at the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum. The bill honors the approximately 900,000 wounded personnel these crews transported over the course of the Vietnam War, including U.S., South Vietnamese, and allied forces, who relied on their rapid medical evacuation services.
Maddy summarySRES 857 is a Senate resolution expressing concern about the rising trend of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries. It cites data showing over 10,000 individual book bans in 2023-2024 (double the previous year), with many targeting books about race, LGBTQ+ experiences, and diverse perspectives - including classics like *The Handmaid’s Tale* and *To Kill a Mockingbird*. The resolution calls on schools and local governments to follow best practices for handling book challenges and to protect students’ access to diverse materials, while reaffirming First Amendment rights to free expression. It also designates the week of September 22-28, 2024, as Banned Books Week.
Maddy summarySRES 858 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing the 15th anniversary of Outdoor Afro, a national nonprofit founded in 2009 by Rue Mapp. The resolution highlights Outdoor Afro’s work connecting Black Americans with nature through recreational activities like hiking, camping, and environmental stewardship across 33 states. It specifically notes the organization’s growth to over 150,000 participants, training of 1,000+ outdoor leaders, and programs like Making Waves, which provides water safety education. The resolution does not create new policy but formally acknowledges Outdoor Afro’s role in promoting inclusive access to outdoor spaces.