Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

Maddy summaryThe COUNTER Act (S 1793) amends U.S. military law to clarify and expand authorities for responding to drone threats. It allows the Secretary of Defense to delegate drone mitigation actions to combatant commanders and exempts related technology and protocols from public disclosure under federal and state laws. The bill specifies that certain federal laws (like those covering cybercrime and aviation) do not apply to military drone mitigation efforts conducted outside the United States. It also updates reporting deadlines and adds new definitions for military commands involved in drone threat response, with key provisions extending until 2030. This bill directly affects Department of Defense and Coast Guard operations related to unmanned aircraft system threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hotels, short-term rentals (like Airbnb), and online booking platforms to display the **total price** of a room - including all mandatory service fees - before customers book. It prohibits hiding fees in ads or checkout, mandating clear upfront disclosure of taxes, government fees, and mandatory charges. The law applies to temporary lodging (excluding meeting rooms or catering) and exempts optional add-ons like spa services. Violations can be enforced by the FTC or state attorneys general, with the rule taking effect 450 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 224) calls for urgent U.S. diplomatic action to address the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where approximately 2.2 million civilians face acute hunger and malnutrition, including 10,000 children identified with acute malnutrition since January 2025. It highlights that Gaza’s borders have been blocked since March 2, 2025, preventing entry of food, medicine, and other lifesaving aid, leading to closed bakeries and exhausted food rations. The Senate resolution specifically urges the White House and State Department to use all available diplomatic tools to end the blockade, secure hostage releases, and achieve a durable conflict resolution. As a non-binding resolution, it does not enact law but formally expresses the Senate’s concern and directs executive branch action.

Maddy summarySRES 220 designates the week of May 11-17, 2025, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers across the United States. The resolution recognizes officers who have been killed, disabled, or injured in the line of duty, including 234 officers honored for 2024 fatalities and 18 officers killed in 2025. It expresses the Senate’s support for law enforcement, acknowledges the need for adequate resources for officer safety, and encourages public observance to celebrate their service and sacrifices. This is a ceremonial resolution with no new policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Pacific Partnership Act, establishes a framework for U.S. engagement with Pacific Island nations. It directs the President to develop a formal "Strategy for Pacific Partnership" by 2026 and 2030, requiring assessments of regional threats (like natural disasters, illegal fishing, and foreign military activity) and plans to address them. The strategy must outline U.S. diplomatic, defense, and economic goals, coordinate with regional partners (including the Pacific Islands Forum), and ensure programs align with Pacific Island priorities. It also mandates annual updates to reports on transnational crime affecting the region and requires consultation with Pacific Island governments, civil society, and allies like Australia and Japan. The bill expresses congressional support for strengthening U.S. ties with Pacific Island nations but does not create new funding or binding obligations.

Maddy summaryS 1712, the Criminal History Access Act of 2025, amends federal law to allow state "peace officer standards and training agencies" (agencies that set hiring and training standards for police officers) to access criminal history records for background checks. The bill adds these agencies to the list of entities authorized under Title 28 of U.S. Code to obtain such records. It requires the Attorney General to update federal regulations within 180 days of enactment to implement this change. This procedural amendment directly affects state law enforcement certification bodies by expanding their access to federal criminal history data.

Maddy summaryThe IHS Workforce Parity Act of 2025 amends two key programs supporting healthcare professionals serving Native American communities: the Indian Health Service (IHS) scholarship program and loan repayment program. It allows scholarship and loan recipients to fulfill their service obligations through either full-time practice in IHS settings or half-time practice (with a doubled service period), and for loan recipients, it adds a 50% reduced payment option for half-time service over two years. The bill clarifies that half-time service periods must be converted to full-time equivalents when calculating breach-of-contract penalties. This directly affects healthcare professionals who receive IHS scholarships or loan repayment assistance, providing more flexible practice options while maintaining service requirements.

Maddy summaryS 1705, the Chip Security Act, requires U.S. companies exporting specific advanced integrated circuits (used in AI systems and high-performance computing) to install location verification technology before shipping them abroad. It directly affects manufacturers and exporters of chips classified under U.S. export control numbers like 3A090 or 4A090. The bill mandates that these chips include security mechanisms to verify their location and prevent diversion or tampering, with companies needing to report suspicious activity like unauthorized location changes. The Commerce Secretary must implement these requirements within 180 days and conduct annual assessments to update security standards. This aims to strengthen compliance with export laws and protect national security by securing chip supply chains.

Maddy summaryS 1689, the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create a national outreach strategy targeting mental health stigma within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. It mandates two key reviews: one on mental health crises among AANHPI youth (with $1.5 million for 2026) and another on AANHPI behavioral health workforce shortages (also $1.5 million for 2026), both requiring disaggregated data analysis. The bill also authorizes $3 million annually (2026-2030) for culturally tailored outreach, education, and services to address low treatment rates (35% of Asian adults received mental health care in 2023) and suicide risks. Annual reports will track progress on increasing awareness and reducing barriers to care for AANHPI populations.

Maddy summaryThe ROOT Act (S 1692) requires doctors ordering outpatient imaging tests (like X-rays and MRIs) to use a tool that verifies test appropriateness starting January 1, 2026, with exceptions for preventive screenings (e.g., mammograms, lung cancer screenings), clinical trials, and small/rural practices. The tool must transmit data to Medicare, including the ordering doctor’s ID and test details, to track compliance. Medicare will identify doctors with low compliance rates (using the tool infrequently) and study how this affects imaging use, reporting findings to Congress every five years beginning in 2031.