Maddy summaryThe Protect the West Act of 2023 establishes a $60 billion Outdoor and Watershed Restoration Fund to support ecological restoration projects on federal and non-federal lands across the western United States. It creates two main programs: a grant program ($20 billion) to help communities plan and coordinate restoration projects on non-federal lands, and a partnership program ($40 billion) to implement restoration projects on both federal and non-federal lands through collaboration with state, local, and tribal governments. The bill prioritizes projects that improve forest and rangeland health, reduce wildfire risks, create jobs, and enhance equitable outdoor access, while requiring projects to follow existing conservation authorities and avoid prohibited activities like construction in wilderness areas. The fund is designed to complement, not replace, existing conservation programs, with oversight requirements including annual reports to Congress on fund usage and project outcomes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2023 updates the 1986 Air Carrier Access Act to improve air travel accessibility for people with disabilities. It requires airlines to provide accessible aircraft with features like wheelchair restraints, accessible seating, and proper stowage for assistive devices within seven years, and mandates new accessibility standards for airport facilities, digital interfaces, and in-flight communications. The bill creates a private right of action allowing individuals to sue airlines for discrimination, establishes a formal complaint process with 120-day investigation timelines, and sets civil penalties for specific violations like damaging assistive devices or denying boarding. These changes directly affect airlines and travelers with disabilities by strengthening enforcement mechanisms and modernizing accessibility requirements that have not been updated since the original law.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 to clarify that the Secretary of the Interior may take land into trust for **any federally recognized Indian tribe**, updating the original language that referenced tribes "under Federal jurisdiction." It specifically **ratifies and confirms past land trust actions** taken for tribes recognized by the federal government at the time of those actions, preventing legal challenges based on recognition status. The bill explicitly states it **does not change other federal laws** or the Secretary's authority under them, and references to the Indian Reorganization Act in other laws will now include this amendment. This directly affects federally recognized tribes seeking land trust status and the Department of the Interior's administrative processes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires major airlines (defined as carriers with over $1.5 billion in 2018 revenue or foreign carriers operating U.S. flights) to provide full cash refunds - including ancillary fees - for canceled flights or tickets canceled 48+ hours before departure. Passengers who received vouchers during the pandemic (March 2020-enactment) can now request cash refunds for unused portions within 30 days. Airlines must clearly disclose refund rights before ticket sales and during cancellations, with violations carrying $1,000 penalties per incident. The law applies to all covered flights departing from or arriving at U.S. airports.
Maddy summarySRES 66 is a Senate resolution condemning China's use of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over U.S. territory as a violation of U.S. sovereignty. It specifically denounces China's false claims that the balloon was a weather device that drifted off course. The resolution requires the President to provide Congress with detailed briefings on the incident, including the balloon's timeline, intelligence gathered, and plans to prevent future violations of U.S. airspace. It calls for decisive U.S. action to deter foreign surveillance activities and holds the Chinese government accountable for such actions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires background checks for most private firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals by mandating that such transfers occur through a licensed dealer. It directly affects unlicensed buyers and sellers of firearms who would otherwise transfer guns without checks, except for specific exceptions like family gifts, law enforcement transfers, temporary safety-related transfers, or transfers for hunting/shooting at designated locations. Key provisions include requiring licensed dealers to conduct background checks as if they were transferring the firearm themselves and adding a new requirement for written certification from the unlicensed transferee. The bill does not create a national gun registry and leaves state laws intact.
Maddy summaryThe DISCLOSE Act of 2023 requires organizations making campaign-related disbursements over $10,000 to disclose detailed information about their funding sources, including the names and addresses of major donors and the top 5 or 2 funders for political communications. It closes loopholes allowing foreign nationals to influence U.S. elections by prohibiting foreign contributions to ballot initiatives and requiring disclosure of foreign money in campaigns. The bill also mandates "stand by every ad" requirements, requiring political communications to include disclaimers identifying who paid for them and listing major funders. These provisions apply to corporations, labor organizations, and other groups making political expenditures, with the goal of increasing transparency in campaign finance.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award a gold medal in honor of Constance Baker Motley, a pioneering civil rights lawyer and the first African-American woman appointed to a federal judgeship. The medal will be presented posthumously to her son, Joel Motley III, and niece, Constance Royster, by congressional leaders. The bill directs the U.S. Treasury to design and strike the medal (featuring Motley's image and name) and permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This is a commemorative measure recognizing Motley's legacy, not a policy change affecting public programs or regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to allow retirement plan fiduciaries to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions. Specifically, it permits fiduciaries to factor in ESG considerations - such as climate impact or diversity practices - as part of standard investment analysis or as tie-breakers when competing investments have comparable financial returns and risk. The bill clarifies that fiduciaries need not provide extra documentation for these ESG considerations and ensures ESG-aligned investments can still serve as default options in retirement plans. It directly affects retirement plan managers (e.g., for 401(k)s) and the investment choices they make for employee savings.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to reduce veteran suicide by improving transition support for service members leaving the military. It requires the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments to provide a mandatory group module (covering suicide risk factors, resources, and firearm safety) and one-on-one counseling with VA social workers before discharge, including medical records transfer and referrals. The program will operate at 10+ military locations serving 300+ service members annually, with annual congressional reports assessing participation, activities, and outcomes. It directly affects service members transitioning to civilian life, particularly those at higher suicide risk, by connecting them to VA care and support services during a critical transition period.