Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Maddy summarySJRES 43 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Congress and state governments to set reasonable limits on campaign contributions and expenditures intended to influence elections. It would permit distinctions between individuals and corporations, including the potential prohibition of corporate spending in political campaigns. The amendment explicitly protects the freedom of the press from being restricted by these regulations. If ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures, this change would directly affect candidates, political committees, and organizations that spend money to influence elections.

Maddy summarySRES 145 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing support for Iranian political refugees residing in Ashraf-3, Albania. It calls on the U.S. government to condemn Iran’s threats (including cyberattacks and sham legal proceedings) against these refugees and to urge Albania to uphold their rights under international law, including freedom of expression and protection from extradition. The resolution specifically highlights the community’s status as former political prisoners and witnesses to Iran’s human rights abuses, such as the 1988 massacre. It does not create new laws but formally advocates for diplomatic action to safeguard this group.

Maddy summarySRES 144 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinas in the United States. It highlights their impact across diverse fields - including science, arts, military service, and the economy - while noting ongoing challenges like the 58-cent pay gap for Latinas compared to White, non-Hispanic men. The resolution honors their historical and contemporary achievements without creating new policies or funding. It was introduced by 28 Senators and serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of Latinas' role in shaping U.S. society.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to exclude certain loan repayment assistance from taxable income for veterinary students participating in qualifying programs. It specifically expands the exclusion to cover assistance provided under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 and similar state programs designed to increase veterinary access in rural areas. Veterinary students who receive this assistance through these designated programs will not owe income tax on the funds. The change applies to assistance received in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryS 1164, the "Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act," removes a barrier preventing people from purchasing standalone dental insurance through health insurance marketplaces. The bill amends the Affordable Care Act to prohibit the Secretary from blocking enrollment in dental plans offered via exchanges simply because a person isn't also enrolled in a separate health insurance plan. This change directly affects individuals seeking dental coverage who may not have comprehensive health insurance. The key mechanism is eliminating a prior restriction that required dental plan enrollment to be tied to a health insurance plan.

Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act of 2025 This bill establishes a new investment tax credit in the amount of 30% of the basis of any hydropower improvement property. The bill defines hydropower improvement property as property that adds or improves fish passage at a qualified dam; maintains or improves the quality of the water retained or released by a qualified dam; promotes downstream sediment transport and habitat maintenance; upgrades, repairs, or reconstructs a qualified dam to meet safety and security standards; improves public uses of, and access to, public waterways impacted by a qualified dam; removes an obsolete river obstruction; or places into service an approved remote dam. Further, written approval for hydropower improvement property must be obtained from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or state or local officials prior to January 1, 2035. The bill also allows an election to claim the investment tax credit for qualified progress expenses for some types of hydropower improvement property in advance of such property being placed into service. Any investment tax credit amount claimed for qualified progress expenses reduces the amount of the investment tax credit that may be claimed once the hydropower improvement property is placed into service.  The bill authorizes certain entities, including tax-exempt and governmental entities, to treat the investment tax credit for hydropower improvement property as a payment of tax and receive a refund of any overpayment (also known as elective pay).  Finally, the investment tax credit for hydropower improvement property may be transferred (i.e., sold).

Maddy summaryS 1194, the Manufactured Housing Tenant’s Bill of Rights Act of 2025, requires owners of manufactured home communities receiving federal loans to include specific tenant protections in lease agreements. It mandates 1-year lease terms with renewal options, 60-day written notice for rent increases (with extended notice for larger hikes), 5-day rent grace periods, and rights for homeowners to sell their homes in place without relocation. The bill also establishes penalties for noncompliance, including fines and loss of future federal financing, and creates a commission to propose stronger future protections. These changes directly affect approximately 1.5 million manufactured home residents nationwide who lease pad sites in federally backed communities.

Maddy summaryThe America's Red Rock Wilderness Act (S 1193) would designate approximately 3.3 million acres across nine distinct wilderness areas in Utah as protected wilderness. These areas include the Great Basin, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Moab-La Sal Canyons, Henry Mountains, Glen Canyon, San Juan, Canyonlands Basin, San Rafael Swell, and Book Cliffs-Greater Dinosaur regions. The bill would manage these areas under the Wilderness Act, preserving them for recreation, wildlife habitat, and cultural values while allowing continued livestock grazing under existing regulations. It also includes provisions to protect Tribal rights and water rights within the designated wilderness areas, with specific administrative guidelines for roads, land management, and Tribal consultation.

Maddy summary# Summary of the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA) The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act is a comprehensive environmental legislation designed to protect and restore the natural ecosystems of the Northern Rockies bioregion (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington). The bill consists of seven main titles with the following key components: **Title I: Wilderness Designations** - Designates over 200 new wilderness areas totaling approximately 13 million acres - Includes specific areas like the Greater Yellowstone, Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide, Greater Hells Canyon, Greater Salmon/Selway, and Greater Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk ecosystems - Specifies exact boundaries, acreage, and administration for each wilderness area **Title II: Biological Connecting Corridors** - Designates approximately 2.9 million acres of Federal land as biological connecting corridors - Requires special management to maintain wildlife connectivity between major ecosystem areas - Prohibits even-aged timber harvesting, mining, oil/gas development, and new road construction **Title III: Wild and Scenic Rivers Designations** - Adds numerous rivers to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, including: - The South Fork Payette, Middle Fork Payette, and Deadwood rivers in Idaho - The Yaak River and Kootenai River in Montana - The Yellowstone River and Thorofare River in Wyoming **Title IV: Wildland Restoration and Recovery** - Designates 1,023,000 acres as wildland recovery areas (including Skyland, Hungry Horse, Lolo Creek, Yellowstone West, Mt. Leidy, and others) - Requires restoration of natural conditions, invasive species reduction, and water quality improvement **Title V: Implementation and Monitoring** - Requires implementation reports from the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior - Establishes an interagency team to monitor ecosystem health - Includes roadless land evaluation to protect remaining roadless areas **Title VI: Effect on Indian Tribes** - Protects tribal treaty rights and cultural practices - Ensures nonexclusive access to protected areas for traditional cultural and religious purposes - Requires consultation with tribal governments **Title VII: Water Rights** - Explicitly states that the Act does not affect or reduce existing U.S. water rights The legislation represents a comprehensive approach to ecosystem protection, focusing on preserving wilderness, maintaining wildlife corridors, protecting rivers, restoring damaged lands, and respecting tribal rights while maintaining the natural integrity of the Northern Rockies bioregion.

Maddy summarySRES 141 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing March 25, 2025, as the 204th anniversary of Greece's independence. It celebrates the historical and ongoing democratic partnership between Greece and the United States through historical references and current bilateral ties, including NATO membership and energy cooperation. The resolution does not create new laws, policies, or obligations; it solely expresses the Senate's formal recognition of Greece's independence day and reaffirms shared democratic values. It directly affects no individuals or groups, serving only as a ceremonial gesture to honor the U.S.-Greece relationship.