Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith

Maddy summaryThe Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 91) authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats who risked their careers and safety to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. These diplomats, representing countries including Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and others, issued visas and provided safe passage to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution despite strict orders from their home governments. The medal will be presented collectively to the next of kin of each diplomat, along with representatives from their home countries, and then permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The act recognizes these individuals' bravery without implying they represent all who performed similar humanitarian acts during the Holocaust. The medal serves as a permanent tribute to their sacrifice and will be available for public display and research.

Maddy summarySRES 925 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Fred R. Harris of Oklahoma, who died on November 23, 2024, at age 94. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that his family be notified, and directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a formal expression of respect for a former senator’s legacy.

Maddy summarySRES 909 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating November 21, 2024, as "National Rural Health Day." It formally recognizes the contributions of rural health care providers and the unique challenges faced by rural communities, including hospital closures and access barriers. The resolution celebrates rural health care workers and the millions they serve, while expressing the Senate's commitment to improving rural health care accessibility and affordability. This is a ceremonial designation with no new policy or funding changes.

Maddy summarySRES 914 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for National Adoption Day (November 23, 2024) and National Adoption Month (November 2024). It promotes public awareness of children awaiting adoption in foster care, celebrates adoption families, and encourages Americans to support child safety and permanency. The resolution does not create new policies or alter existing laws; it is a non-binding statement of support. It directly affects public awareness and national recognition of adoption efforts, not specific individuals or programs.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 902) honoring the late Senator Timothy Peter Johnson of South Dakota, who died after a long career in public service. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and send a copy to his family, and calls for the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is purely a formal expression of respect for a former senator. The resolution commemorates his decades of service, including his time as Chairman of the Banking Committee and his return to work after a serious health setback.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates two specific historic sites - the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians (a National Historic Landmark) and Jefferson College (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) - as "affiliated areas" of the Natchez National Historical Park. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History will serve as the management entity for these sites, responsible for their preservation and interpretation, while the National Park Service will not acquire property or cover operational costs. The Secretary of the Interior must create a map of the sites' boundaries and develop a management plan within three years, to be submitted to Congress. The bill formalizes a partnership to protect these sites' historical resources without altering their existing protections or transferring management to the National Park Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies biological definitions of sex in federal law, defining "male" and "female" based on reproductive anatomy (sperm-producing vs. egg-producing systems) as determined at birth. It requires federal agencies and laws to interpret terms like "sex," "male," and "female" according to these biological definitions, explicitly stating that gender identity does not equate to sex. The bill directly affects how federal agencies and programs interpret these terms in existing laws, regulations, and policies, including those related to facilities, sports, and equal treatment. It does not create new programs but mandates that federal interpretations align with these biological definitions, excluding gender identity from the definition of sex or gender.

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 summarySRES 861 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating September 2024 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month" to educate the public. It directly affects communities impacted by sickle cell disease (SCD), which disproportionately affects Black and African American individuals (affecting ~100,000 people in the U.S. and 1 in 365 Black newborns). The resolution encourages nationwide programs during this month to raise awareness about SCD, emphasizing the need for research, early detection, effective treatments, and preventative care for complications. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally supports existing efforts to address SCD through public education.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes sentencing guidelines for individuals smuggling undocumented immigrants across the border. It increases prison time based on the number of people involved (e.g., 2-4 people adds 2 sentencing levels, 50+ people adds 10 levels) and adds further increases if someone suffers injury or death during the smuggling. The law specifically targets smuggling operations involving multiple people or resulting in harm, with sentencing caps set at 29 levels (or 38 with additional factors). It directly affects people convicted of smuggling undocumented immigrants under these specific circumstances.