Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Maddy summaryThe Protecting American Consumers Act establishes a minimum funding level for the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to ensure it has sufficient resources to operate. Specifically, the bill mandates that the federal government must transfer at least 12 percent of the Federal Reserve System's total operating expenses to the Bureau each fiscal year. This provision directly affects the Bureau's budget and its ability to enforce financial regulations on lenders and other entities that impact consumers. By setting a fixed floor for funding, the legislation aims to prevent the Bureau's budget from being reduced below this threshold in future years.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a settlement agreement resolving a longstanding land claim by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne against New York State and local governments. It approves the transfer of specific lands and rights related to three federal court cases, ending the legal disputes. The agreement designates certain lands owned or acquired by the tribe within defined settlement areas as "Indian Country" under federal law. This directly affects the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the state of New York, Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, and the towns of Fort Covington and Bombay.

Maddy summaryThe Secure and Accountable Military AI Act of 2026 establishes strict oversight for the Department of Defense regarding the use of artificial intelligence in high-stakes military operations. It mandates that any AI application involving nuclear weapons, lethal targeting, cyber operations, or autonomous weapon systems must undergo rigorous testing, legal review, and continuous monitoring before deployment. The law also requires contractors developing these systems to report security incidents within specific timeframes and prohibits the use of AI for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons without a lawful basis. Additionally, the bill creates a special process requiring explicit congressional approval for any fully autonomous weapon systems that do not fall under limited exceptions for local defense or non-lethal force.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life and legacy of Donald W. Riegle, Jr., a former U.S. Senator from Michigan who passed away in April 2026. The bill formally acknowledges his nearly three decades of public service, including his roles as a Representative and Senator, and highlights his significant contributions to legislation on banking, housing, and veterans' health. It also expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and directs officials to share the resolution with the House of Representatives and send a copy to Riegle's family. Finally, the Senate will stand in adjournment as a mark of respect for the former senator when the session concludes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2026 as "Older Americans Month" to honor the contributions and well-being of U.S. citizens aged 65 and older. It encourages the public and government to recognize the achievements of older adults and provide opportunities for them to share their wisdom with younger generations. The bill highlights the significant role older individuals play in society through work, volunteering, and community engagement. By promoting public awareness, the measure aims to foster a supportive environment that values the experiences and assets of the aging population.

Maddy summaryThe Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act creates a new funding program to hire more counselors, psychologists, and social workers for schools with high numbers of low-income students. These funds are distributed to states, which then award subgrants to local school districts to help them reach recommended staffing ratios of 250 students per counselor, 500 per psychologist, and 250 per social worker. To qualify for the money, states must match the federal grant with their own funds and submit detailed plans showing how they will prioritize high-need schools. The bill also requires regular reporting on how many mental health staff are hired and the current student-to-staff ratios in participating schools.

Maddy summaryThe Abolish Super PACs Act aims to reinstate contribution limits on political action committees that make independent expenditures, directly affecting candidates, donors, and these committees. By redefining "independent expenditure committees" and amending the Federal Election Campaign Act, the bill would cap the amount of money individuals and entities can give to these groups, effectively ending the current system of unlimited donations. This change seeks to reduce the risk of corruption and the appearance of corruption by preventing wealthy contributors from exerting disproportionate influence over federal elections. The legislation applies to all such contributions starting in the first calendar year after it is enacted.

Maddy summaryThe Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 creates a temporary United States Commission on Hate Crimes to investigate the causes of rising hate crimes and improve how they are reported. This 10-member commission will include representatives from law enforcement, civil rights organizations, and both major political parties, and it will meet for one year to study factors like social media influence and barriers to data collection. After its investigation, the commission must submit a report to Congress and the President with specific recommendations for federal agencies to enhance reporting accuracy and prevent bias-motivated violence. Additionally, the bill requires an independent audit by the Government Accountability Office to verify the accuracy of hate crime data currently collected by the FBI. The commission and the audit are designed to be temporary measures that end once their reports are delivered.

Maddy summaryThe Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act of 2026 authorizes competitive grants to help partnerships create or expand training programs for early childhood education careers. These grants are intended for groups that include colleges, child care providers, and local businesses to work together on education and training initiatives. The funds can be used to develop educational materials, support student recruitment and retention, provide work-based learning experiences, and offer professional development for teachers and staff. Priority is given to applicants serving rural and urban areas, particularly those addressing documented shortages of child care providers and focusing on infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. Recipients must submit detailed applications and annual reports to demonstrate how the programs benefit students and improve outcomes in the workforce.

Maddy summaryThe All Students Count Act of 2026 requires schools to break down educational data into more specific categories for Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students, moving beyond broad groupings to include distinct ethnicities like Chinese, Vietnamese, and Samoan. This change mandates that states report performance metrics for these detailed subgroups within their existing accountability systems to better reflect the diverse backgrounds of these communities. The bill takes effect 18 months after enactment, allowing time for states to adjust their data collection and reporting processes to accommodate the new requirements.