Sen. Tina Smith

Maddy summaryThe CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act (S 5033) reauthorizes federal grants to colleges and universities to support child care for student parents. It provides $500 million annually (2025-2030) for institutions to establish or subsidize campus-based child care, sliding-fee-scale services, or before/after-school programs for eligible student parents. To qualify, students must be enrolled at participating colleges with significant Pell Grant recipients and meet specific financial criteria. Institutions must report on program outcomes, demographics, and quality standards, while prohibiting use of funds for construction (except repairs) or adding extra eligibility barriers beyond Pell Grant status.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Small Business Act to expand the definition of "disaster" to include "below average snowfall or snow cover," making winter recreation businesses eligible for Small Business Administration disaster assistance. It directly affects businesses like ski resorts, snowmobile rental shops, and other winter tourism operations that suffer financial losses due to insufficient snow. The key mechanism requires the SBA Administrator, with input from the National Weather Service, to issue implementing regulations within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This change would allow affected businesses to access federal aid previously unavailable for weather-related challenges tied to snow conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the funding authorization for the Rural Water Supply Program from 2016 to 2032. It directly affects rural communities and water districts that rely on federal funding for water infrastructure projects under the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2006. The key change amends two sections of the 2006 law to update the program's expiration date, ensuring continued federal support for rural water supply projects through 2032. The bill does not alter the program's existing structure or eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to include college students who meet specific criteria, such as participating in work-study programs or meeting financial requirements. It creates a demonstration program to test new ways for students to use SNAP benefits on campus, including purchasing prepared foods from campus dining facilities without needing to buy a meal plan. The bill requires federal agencies to share data to identify students who might qualify for nutrition assistance and mandates institutions of higher education to provide information about available benefits. It also authorizes $1 billion in grants over seven years to support campus-based programs addressing food insecurity, housing instability, and other basic needs for students. The bill would directly affect millions of college students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, by making it easier to access food assistance while attending college.

Maddy summaryS 4973, the "No Kings Act," removes presidential and vice presidential immunity from federal criminal prosecution, requiring such cases to be handled in federal district courts with appeals limited to the D.C. Circuit. The bill specifically bars the Supreme Court from reviewing cases involving claims of presidential immunity for official acts, including dismissals of indictments or overturning convictions. It directly affects current and former presidents and vice presidents by subjecting them to the same federal criminal accountability as all other citizens. Key provisions prevent courts from considering whether alleged crimes were part of official duties unless Congress specifies otherwise, and clarify that state criminal laws remain applicable.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to affirm that no person, including the President and other federal officials, is above the law. It would require all officials holding authority under the U.S. government to be subject to ordinary criminal prosecution for both official and unofficial actions. The amendment mandates that general laws apply to the President unless specified otherwise and grants Congress power to enforce this by, for example, extending the statute of limitations for prosecuting a sitting President during their term. If ratified by three-fourths of states, this change would become part of the Constitution, altering how federal law applies to high-level government officials.

Maddy summarySRES 800 is a symbolic Senate resolution introduced on August 1, 2024, by a bipartisan group of senators. It condemns the July 13, 2024, attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally and honors three individuals affected: Corey D. Comperatore (who died shielding his family), David Dutch (critically injured), and James Copenhaver (critically injured). The resolution calls for national unity and civility following the violent incident. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's stance on the event.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 114 Center Street East in Roseau, Minnesota, as the "Floyd B. Olson Post Office." It updates all official federal references (laws, maps, documents) to use this new name for the location. The bill affects only the postal facility's official designation and administrative records, with no impact on postal services or policy. It is a procedural naming resolution with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe NO BAN Act (S 4961) expands federal anti-discrimination protections in immigration law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on national origin or religion for nonimmigrant visa holders, refugees, and other temporary travelers. It reforms Section 212(f) of immigration law by requiring the President to provide specific, credible evidence to Congress within 48 hours before restricting entry, mandating narrow tailoring of such restrictions, and requiring waivers for family/humanitarian cases. The bill also creates detailed reporting requirements for all entry restrictions, including quarterly updates to Congress and public reports on visa denials, waivers, and refugee admissions. This directly affects travelers, visa applicants, and refugees impacted by presidential entry bans or restrictions, while adding new procedural checks on executive authority.

Maddy summaryThe Wildlife-Agriculture Disease Prevention Act of 2024 creates a new "Agriculture-Wildlife Disease Coordinator" position within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to improve coordination between federal agencies (like Agriculture, Interior, and CDC) and state/Tribal governments. The coordinator will facilitate information sharing about diseases spreading between wildlife, livestock, and humans, help states access funding for disease monitoring, and develop best practices for prevention. This aims to prevent costly outbreaks like the 2022 avian flu crisis (which cost $3 billion) by strengthening collaboration before diseases escalate. The bill directly affects federal agencies, state agriculture and wildlife departments, and Tribal nations managing disease risks.