Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Maddy summarySRES 201 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating the week of May 4-10, 2025, as "National Small Business Week." It honors small businesses and entrepreneurs across all U.S. communities for their economic contributions, citing that small businesses support over 59 million jobs. The resolution recognizes their resilience and celebrates their role in strengthening local economies. This symbolic gesture, consistent with annual presidential proclamations since 1963, does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump on April 2, 2025, which imposed a 10% tariff on most imports to the United States and additional duties on specified trading partners.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by giving the Attorney General new authority to sue violators and seek penalties up to $10,000 per day for ongoing violations. It requires dealers and exhibitors to hold valid licenses for animal sales or transport and allows seized animals to be taken by the government if they’re harmed by violations. Fines collected from violations will fund temporary care for animals during legal cases. The law directly affects animal dealers, exhibitors, and enforcement agencies (USDA and DOJ), clarifying that violations include breaches of related rules and regulations.

Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 This bill makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD). The prohibition does not apply to a firearm that is (1) manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, except for certain shotguns; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; (4) only capable of firing rimfire ammunition; or (5) a rifle or shotgun specifically identified by make and model. The bill also exempts from the prohibition the following, with respect to a SAW or LCAFD: importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and possession by a retired law enforcement officer. The bill permits continued possession, sale, or transfer of a grandfathered SAW, which must be securely stored. A licensed gun dealer must conduct a background check prior to the sale or transfer of a grandfathered SAW between private parties. The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD. Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification. Newly manufactured SAWs and LCAFDs must display the date of manufacture. The bill also allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender a SAW or LCAFD under a buy-back program.

Maddy summarySRES 186 designates April 29, 2025, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day to raise public awareness about the dangers of counterfeit fentanyl pills. The resolution specifically aims to inform families and young people about how fake pills - often disguised as legitimate medications - contribute to overdose deaths, citing that illicit fentanyl was involved in 81% of drug deaths among youth aged 14-23 in 2023. It does not create new laws or funding but formally supports existing efforts to combat counterfeit pills and encourages awareness campaigns. The resolution highlights alarming statistics, including 51,010 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2024 and low youth awareness (only 55% of teens knew about counterfeit pills).

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 187), not a legislative bill. It formally recognizes April 25, 2025, as National Arbor Day to celebrate the 153rd anniversary of Arbor Day's founding on April 10, 1872. The resolution encourages the public to participate in Arbor Day activities focused on tree planting and environmental stewardship, but it does not create new laws, programs, or obligations. It serves solely as a symbolic acknowledgment of Arbor Day's history and purpose, with no direct impact on individuals, communities, or policy.

Maddy summaryThe Equality Act (S 1503) amends existing civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, and jury service. It expands the definition of "sex" in federal civil rights laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, clarifying that discrimination based on these factors is prohibited under current law. The bill directly affects individuals, businesses, government entities, and service providers by requiring compliance with these expanded anti-discrimination protections. It does not create new rights but makes clear that existing protections against sex discrimination already cover sexual orientation and gender identity, as affirmed by the Supreme Court in Bostock v. Clayton County. The legislation aims to provide consistent nationwide protections against discrimination that LGBTQ+ people have historically faced in key areas of public life.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program to increase affordability and accessibility for low-income households. It raises state allocation amounts through revised per capita calculations, modifies income eligibility rules to better serve extremely low-income households, and adds protections for domestic violence victims in housing. The bill expands "difficult development areas" to include rural areas and Indian lands, and changes the program's name from "Low-Income Housing Credit" to "Affordable Housing Credit" to better reflect its purpose. These changes aim to make affordable housing more accessible while improving transparency and accountability in the program's implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1519) designates approximately 1.56 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as wilderness under federal law. It permanently protects this specific area from development like oil drilling or road construction by adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System. The designation directly affects the refuge's management, ensuring this coastal plain ecosystem remains preserved in its natural state.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 106) expresses the U.S. Senate's support for International Women’s Day (March 8, 2025) and recognizes the importance of advancing women’s rights globally. It affirms that women’s empowerment is critical to achieving economic growth, sustainable peace, and security, citing statistics on gender-based violence, educational gaps, and underrepresentation in leadership. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the Senate’s commitment to addressing barriers women face, including violence, discrimination, and limited participation in decision-making. It specifically highlights challenges in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Ukraine, urging U.S. action to support women’s rights worldwide. As a non-binding resolution, it serves as a symbolic statement of support rather than a legislative change.