Sen. Jeff Merkley

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would establish voting as a fundamental right for all citizens of legal voting age. It requires any government denial of this right to be narrowly tailored to serve a compelling interest, while also repealing specific language from the 14th Amendment related to voting rights. The amendment would grant Congress the authority to pass laws enforcing these protections against any denial or abridgment of the right to vote.

Maddy summaryThe Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 expands disaster relief assistance to individuals who lived in disaster areas but lacked formal proof of ownership or were not renting, including those who were homeless or stayed in temporary accommodations. It allows these eligible households to use federal funds to pay for obtaining property titles, such as costs for land surveys and associated taxes, by accepting a wide range of documents like utility bills, driver's licenses, and school records as evidence of their connection to the property. The bill also requires FEMA to create a simple, non-notarized form for applicants to self-certify their eligibility and mandates that the agency consult with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate temporary rental assistance programs for displaced residents. Additionally, the legislation amends existing disaster housing rules to focus on ensuring residences are habitable during long-term recovery and permits temporary housing if the President deems it a cost-effective alternative to other solutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Climate Change Education Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to increase public understanding of climate change and its solutions. It authorizes funding to provide grants to schools, universities, and community organizations for developing curricula, training teachers, and supporting student-led climate projects. The legislation requires that 40 percent of certain grant funds be directed toward environmental justice communities and mandates annual reporting to Congress on the program's effectiveness. Funding is authorized at $50 million per year from 2027 through 2032 to support these educational initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, aims to overturn a specific executive order by repealing it and prohibiting the use of federal funds to implement similar directives in the future. It directly affects the United States Postal Service, various federal agencies, and state election officials by restricting their ability to regulate mail-in ballots or create national citizenship lists for voting purposes. Key provisions ban federal agencies from sharing voter registration data, compel the Postal Service to continue delivering state-issued mail ballots without interference, and forbid the use of taxpayer money to enforce rules that would require states to adopt specific citizenship verification methods. The legislation seeks to preserve the current system where states manage their own election administration while the Postal Service delivers ballots, citing historical precedents and the high volume of mail-in voting used by Americans.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the President to remove U.S. military forces from ongoing military actions against Iran that lack explicit congressional authorization. It specifically responds to a February 2026 order for airstrikes inside Iran, which Congress states violates the War Powers Resolution. The bill requires the removal of forces unless Congress has declared war or passed a specific authorization for military action against Iran. Exceptions allow for self-defense, intelligence-sharing with allies attacked by Iran, and supporting allies against Iranian retaliation.

Maddy summaryThe Drug Deal Disclosure Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly release specific records regarding agreements between the federal government and major drug manufacturers starting in 2025. This law mandates the disclosure of contracts that include provisions such as reduced drug prices based on international rates, direct-to-consumer sales discounts, duty exemptions, and special treatment for Medicare programs. While the bill allows for the redaction of confidential pricing details, it prohibits withholding information based on political sensitivity or reputational harm and requires a detailed justification for any redactions. Additionally, the act mandates reports to Congress and independent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the economic and budgetary impacts of these agreements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Senate's view that the President should prioritize securing the release of specific individuals detained by the People's Republic of China. It names Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai, who are reportedly held for reasons related to peaceful expression or religion. The resolution calls for the President to raise these cases during future engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping, including an anticipated May 2026 summit. It also urges the President to seek verifiable proof of life, access to legal counsel, family communication, and medical care for these detainees.

Maddy summaryThis resolution supports designating April 11-17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week." The designation aims to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States, specifically emphasizing the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people.

Maddy summaryThis legislation modifies the Federal Power Act to restrict the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's ability to issue emergency orders for power generation facilities. It requires the Commission to consider alternatives that minimize environmental impacts and conduct public hearings before acting. The bill also prohibits orders that would delay the retirement or permanent closure of a facility unless a unique emergency exists and is formally requested. Furthermore, it mandates that utilities inform customers about the costs and impacts of any emergency orders issued under these rules.

Maddy summaryThe 6PPD Task Force Act establishes a new group to help find safer chemical alternatives for tires that currently harm aquatic life. This task force will be led by representatives from federal agencies, tribal governments, private industry, and universities to study the environmental impact of a specific tire compound called 6PPD. Its main duties include sharing research data, recommending funding for scientists to develop new tire additives, and creating a public online database of mitigation strategies. The group must meet at least three times a year and submit annual reports to Congress detailing its findings and recommendations.