Sen. Martin Heinrich

Maddy summaryS 3148, the END Illicit Chinese Tobacco Act, amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the destruction of counterfeit tobacco products offered for import. The bill updates existing law by adding "counterfeit tobacco product" (as defined in the act) to the list of items that must be destroyed, and replaces all references to "drug or device" with "drug, device, or tobacco product." This change directly affects importers of counterfeit tobacco products, requiring such goods to be destroyed rather than released into commerce. The amendments take effect upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. government to obtain congressional approval before conducting any explosive nuclear testing, directly affecting the President and Defense Department. It mandates that the President submit a detailed 180-day notice to Congress - including reasons for testing, alternatives considered, and state engagement - before proceeding. Congress must then pass a joint resolution with a two-thirds vote in both chambers to approve testing for "technical need" (e.g., nuclear weapon safety), or if another country tests first. The bill explicitly excludes subcritical experiments and fusion tests from the definition of "explosive nuclear testing."

Maddy summarySRES 481 is a non-binding Senate resolution urging the Trump administration to use the USDA’s existing $4.5 billion contingency funds and interchange authority to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November 2025. The resolution states that SNAP is an entitlement program requiring government funding, and the USDA legally has the authority to draw from these reserves to avoid benefit disruptions. This would directly support the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. The resolution does not change the law but calls for immediate action to maintain food assistance during a potential funding gap.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures Capitol Police officers, employees, and qualifying contractors receive regular pay during a government shutdown starting October 1, 2025. It appropriates funds to cover standard pay, benefits, and contractor support for work performed during the shutdown period, retroactively effective from September 30, 2025. Funds will be charged to future Capitol Police appropriations once regular funding is enacted or by September 30, 2026. The bill directly affects Capitol Police staff and contractors whose work continued during the shutdown, guaranteeing compensation without waiting for new budget bills.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides temporary funding for military pay and certain civilian employee salaries during fiscal year 2026 if Congress hasn’t passed regular appropriations. It covers all active-duty military members, reserve personnel on active duty or training, and civilian employees of the Defense Department, Coast Guard, intelligence community (including the CIA and National Intelligence Director’s office). The funding remains available until either regular appropriations are enacted, the Intelligence Authorization Act passes, or September 30, 2026. It does not change existing pay policies but ensures continuous payment during budget gaps.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the seventh anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder in 2018 and calls on Saudi Arabia to ensure accountability for those responsible. It specifically urges Saudi authorities to release individuals wrongfully detained - including Nourah al-Qahtani, Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, and others - and to respect freedoms of press, assembly, and association. The resolution acknowledges U.S. sanctions against 17 Saudis linked to Khashoggi's killing but does not impose new legal requirements, serving as a formal statement of U.S. policy.

Maddy summarySRES 475 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating November 1, 2025 (the first Saturday of November) as "National Bison Day." It directly affects all Americans by officially recognizing this date for public observance. The resolution acknowledges bison's historical, cultural, and economic significance, particularly to Native American tribes and rural communities, and builds on an existing annual tradition celebrated since 2012. The Senate encourages the public to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, though the resolution contains no new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures uninterrupted access to SNAP (food stamps) and WIC benefits during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2026. It authorizes the Treasury to provide emergency funds if Congress fails to pass full-year appropriations for the Department of Agriculture by September 30, 2025, covering all missed benefits retroactively from September 30, 2025. State agencies administering these programs would be reimbursed for costs incurred during the funding lapse. The funding automatically terminates once Congress passes 2026 appropriations or by September 30, 2026.

Maddy summarySRES 467 is a Senate resolution designating October 30, 2025, as a national day of remembrance for workers in the U.S. nuclear weapons program, including uranium miners, millers, haulers, plutonium processors, and those who participated in atmospheric nuclear tests. It formally recognizes these workers' contributions and sacrifices, building on previous Senate resolutions from 2009 to 2024 that honored similar service. The resolution encourages public participation in commemorative activities on that date but does not create new benefits or policies. As a symbolic gesture, it focuses solely on recognition, not legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides back pay to federal employees, military personnel, and certain contractors who lost compensation due to a government funding lapse during the period from October 1, 2025, through the bill's enactment date. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover "standard employee compensation" (including base pay, allowances, and benefits) for all covered individuals during the shutdown period, requiring agencies to distribute payments within 7 days of enactment. The funds may only be used for this specific purpose and cannot be redirected to other agency needs. The pay is retroactive to September 30, 2025, treating affected individuals as if they had received full pay continuously during the shutdown.