Sen. Jeff Merkley

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 405) symbolically designates September 22-28, 2025, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week" to honor institutions serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students. It recognizes these institutions' role in enrolling over 46% of such students despite representing only 7.1% of U.S. higher education institutions. The resolution encourages eligible schools to seek funding and promotes public awareness of their contributions through activities during the designated week. It has no funding or policy changes - only a symbolic acknowledgment of these institutions' educational impact.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution calls on the U.S. President to recognize a demilitarized State of Palestine alongside a secure Israel, aligning with international law and the two-state solution. It specifically requires Palestine to be demilitarized (with no armed forces) while ensuring Israel's security, as outlined in UN resolutions. The resolution directly affects U.S. foreign policy by urging a shift in diplomatic recognition, without altering U.S. law or imposing new obligations. It references existing international consensus, including UN recognition of Palestine as a non-member state, and emphasizes that settlement expansion and violence by any party undermine peace efforts. The resolution has no legal force but seeks to influence executive action.

Maddy summarySRES 401 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating September 19, 2025, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day." It recognizes that over 21,000 stillbirths occur annually in the U.S., disproportionately affecting Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Hispanic families, and aims to raise awareness about this crisis. The resolution calls on the President to issue a proclamation encouraging nationwide observance to support evidence-based prevention efforts, research, and better data collection. It does not create new laws or funding but seeks to highlight existing initiatives like the 2024 Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act. The resolution directly affects families impacted by stillbirth and aims to promote prevention awareness across the U.S.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the intentional dissemination of false information about voting procedures, election timing, or voter eligibility that is designed to prevent people from voting. It specifically makes it illegal to spread misleading information through any communication method, including via generative artificial intelligence, within 60 days of an election. The bill creates criminal penalties for such deceptive acts (up to one year in prison) and allows civil lawsuits for victims. The Attorney General would have authority to issue corrective information when false statements are spreading, and would be required to report on deceptive practices to Congress after each election.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Free Vaccines Act of 2025 requires health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to cover recommended vaccines without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles). It mandates coverage for vaccines recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as of October 25, 2024, including any updated versions approved under existing rules. This coverage requirement applies until December 31, 2029 for Medicaid and CHIP, and until January 1, 2030 for other plans. The law does not apply to vaccines given during the minimum interval between doses for that specific vaccine.

Maddy summaryThe GREEN Streets Act (S 2890) requires states and metropolitan areas to establish specific targets for reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions from transportation systems. It mandates that states set minimum standards for decreasing per capita vehicle miles traveled through investments in transit, sidewalks, bike lanes, and land use planning that supports multimodal transportation. States failing to meet these targets must obligate 33% of their federal highway funds toward meeting the targets, with this requirement increasing by 2% annually until targets are achieved. The bill also requires analysis of projects that increase traffic capacity, particularly those affecting environmental justice communities, and establishes new performance measures for transit accessibility and multimodal transportation options.

Child Care Access Means Parents In Schools Reauthorization Act or the CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and revises the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program. The program awards grants to support the participation of eligible low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of campus-based child care services. Among other revisions to the program, the bill increases the minimum and maximum grant amounts, allows grant funds to be used for additional purposes (e.g., child care subsidies and support services), and specifies additional grant application requirements.

Maddy summaryS 2856, the Wildfire Smoke Relief Act, provides direct assistance to vulnerable individuals exposed to prolonged wildfire smoke. It defines "individuals at risk" as low-income people, parents with young children, seniors, pregnant women, and those with chronic respiratory/cardiovascular conditions living in areas with unhealthy air quality for 3+ consecutive days due to wildfires. The bill requires FEMA to fund qualified entities (like states or health authorities) to provide smoke-inhalation prevention equipment - including portable air filters, N95 masks, and home sealing items like weather strips - and offer temporary shelter when equipment alone is insufficient. This program targets concrete, immediate health protection during wildfire events.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $5 million annually (2026-2030) to states for improving stillbirth data collection and research, directly affecting state health departments and public health officials. It requires states to collect deidentified stillbirth data - including risk factors - using existing systems like fetal mortality reviews, while ensuring strict privacy compliance. The bill also allocates $1 million yearly to develop standardized data collection guidelines and public educational materials about stillbirths, with input from medical professionals and bereavement organizations. It mandates a public HHS report within five years containing these guidelines and educational resources to improve data consistency and awareness. The legislation focuses on enhancing data quality for research and public health, without altering medical care or insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryS 2913, the Protecting Students with Disabilities Act, prevents federal funding from being used to restructure or eliminate offices within the Department of Education that administer disability-related programs. The bill specifically prohibits using funds to: (1) dismantle or merge offices serving students with disabilities (under IDEA) or adults with disabilities (under the Rehabilitation Act), (2) change staff roles that could undermine these programs, or (3) outsource these services to outside organizations. It directly affects the Department of Education’s disability program offices and the students and adults who rely on their services. The bill maintains existing program structures by restricting how federal funds can be allocated, ensuring compliance with current laws like IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act.