Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes June 2026 as LGBTQ Pride Month to honor the history, contributions, and ongoing struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals in the United States. The document outlines the community's achievements in civil rights and public service while highlighting persistent challenges such as discrimination in employment and housing, as well as hate crimes. It also acknowledges the global context of LGBTQ rights, noting both international progress and the persecution faced by individuals in various countries. Ultimately, the resolution expresses support for equal treatment and encourages the public to use the month to learn about and celebrate the LGBTQ community.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe NO FAKES Act of 2026 establishes a new property right for individuals to control the creation and use of their digital voice and visual likeness replicas, extending protection to both living people and their heirs for up to 70 years after death. The bill requires companies and platforms that distribute these digital replicas or sell tools to create them to obtain explicit authorization from the right holder, while also setting up a notification system for online services to remove unauthorized content. Additionally, the law preempts existing state laws regarding digital likeness rights and includes specific penalties and safe harbor protections for platforms that comply with the new requirements.
Maddy summaryThe CHILE Act of 2026 creates a new federal program to provide emergency financial assistance to producers of specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, when they face adverse events like economic crises or market disruptions. Under this framework, the Secretary of Agriculture would calculate payments based on the producer's recent sales history and a specific payment factor designed to cover losses, while also accounting for the higher input costs and diverse business structures common in this sector. The legislation sets a total funding limit of $5 billion for fiscal year 2027, with higher payment caps for large-scale farming operations that derive at least 75 percent of their income from agriculture.
Maddy summaryThe Protect Our Polls Act establishes a strict notification and approval process before federal troops or armed men can be deployed to election sites to repel armed enemies. Under this bill, the head of the agency sending troops must submit a detailed report to congressional leaders at least 48 hours in advance, including intelligence on the threat and justification for why local forces cannot handle the situation. If Congress is not in session, the Speaker and Senate President pro tempore must request a special session to review the report, and no deployment can occur until Congress passes a joint resolution authorizing the action. The legislation also amends the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to prohibit federal funds from being used to allow military personnel to access election records, while explicitly preserving the right of service members to vote. These provisions are set to expire on January 20, 2029.
Maddy summaryThe PFAS Alternatives Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create grant programs that help develop and train firefighters on using protective gear free from PFAS chemicals. Under this law, eligible nonprofit and educational organizations can receive funding to research next-generation turnout gear that maintains safety standards without relying on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The legislation allocates up to $25 million between 2027 and 2031 for research grants and $2 million between 2028 and 2032 for training initiatives, ensuring that new gear designs are tested and that first responders learn proper care and decontamination methods. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary to submit a progress report to Congress within two years of enactment to track the implementation of these safety improvements.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant Temporary Protected Status to nationals of Haiti. Under this provision, eligible Haitian immigrants would be allowed to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation until March 20, 2029. The legislation overrides other existing laws to ensure this designation remains in effect for the specified period.
First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.
Maddy summaryThe Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act of 2026 prohibits connected vehicles from entering the United States if they originate from or are designed in China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran, or if they are manufactured by companies with significant foreign ownership from those nations. This ban applies to vehicles equipped with internet connectivity used on public roads but includes an exception for those intended solely for testing and evaluation by U.S.-based entities with no foreign ties. The law allows the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to issue specific or general authorizations for vehicles that pass a security risk assessment proving they do not threaten national security or data integrity. These authorizations require a 60-day congressional review period and must be publicly listed, while the ban takes effect only after relevant regulations are published.
Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2026 prohibits any person or government entity from restricting, sanctioning, or discriminating against individuals who travel to another state to receive reproductive health care that is legal there. It also protects those who assist travelers and reproductive health care providers from facing penalties for offering services to out-of-state patients, effectively overriding any conflicting state laws. The bill establishes a private right of action allowing affected individuals, organizations, and providers to sue in federal or state court for violations, with provisions for damages and attorney's fees. Additionally, it removes state sovereign immunity defenses for officials enforcing laws that interfere with this travel right, ensuring federal courts can hear such cases directly.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to correct burial markers for American-Jewish servicemembers who died in World War I or II and were mistakenly buried under Latin crosses (a Christian symbol) in overseas U.S. military cemeteries. The American Battle Monuments Commission will run this 10-year program, authorizing $500,000 annually to contract with qualified nonprofit organizations to identify affected veterans and contact their families. It directly affects Jewish veterans buried overseas with incorrect markers and their descendants, ensuring their religious heritage is properly recognized. The program requires nonprofits to verify burial records and facilitate marker corrections, with priority given to organizations experienced in Jewish military history.