Sen. Ron Wyden

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. currency from featuring the likeness of any living or sitting U.S. president. It directly affects the U.S. Mint and currency design processes, requiring them to remove current or future presidential images from circulating coins and paper money. The provision would apply immediately to new currency designs and any existing designs featuring living presidents. This is a procedural change to currency policy with no other stated mechanisms or broader implications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires national parks to reduce disposable plastic use by eliminating the sale of single-use plastic water bottles and other items like plastic bags and food containers. It directly affects park visitors (who must bring reusable bottles) and concessioners (like food vendors and shops). Key mechanisms include setting up water refill stations, developing visitor education plans, and requiring regional park directors to consider factors like safety, costs, and concessioner revenue before implementation. Parks must conduct biennial evaluations to track visitor satisfaction, waste reduction, and public health impacts. The law applies to all national park units, with some flexibility for parks already without plastic water sales.

Maddy summarySRES 533 is a non-binding Senate resolution condemning white supremacy, hate, and antisemitism, with specific focus on the promotion of these ideologies by white supremacist Nick Fuentes and his platforming by Tucker Carlson. It highlights Fuentes' Holocaust denial, antisemitic conspiracy theories (like the "Great Replacement" myth), and use of dog whistles, while criticizing Carlson for hosting Fuentes without challenge and Heritage Foundation's Kevin Roberts for defending such views. The resolution urges all elected officials and leaders to reject these ideologies whenever they occur, and affirms condemnation of Nazism and the Holocaust. As a formal expression of Senate opinion, it does not create new laws but serves as a public stance against harmful rhetoric.

Maddy summarySRES 531 is a non-binding Senate resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on November 29, 2025. It recognizes IDEA's historical role in guaranteeing children with disabilities access to free appropriate public education in inclusive settings, transforming educational opportunities for millions. The resolution honors students, families, educators, and advocates who advanced IDEA's principles since its 1975 enactment. It does not create new policy but formally acknowledges the law's enduring impact on educational equity.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 530) condemns former President Trump's 2025 pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, Honduras' former president convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy. It commends U.S. prosecutors and jurors who secured Hernández's 45-year prison sentence for his role in a major cocaine trafficking operation involving over 400 tons of drugs and bribes, including $1 million from a drug lord. The resolution states the pardon undermines U.S. anti-drug trafficking efforts and the rule of law, though it has no legal effect. As a symbolic statement, it does not change laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThe PBM Price Transparency and Accountability Act requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to be more transparent about drug pricing and ensure accurate payments to pharmacies. It establishes national average drug acquisition cost benchmarks for Medicaid, prohibits PBMs from keeping excessive profits through "spread pricing," and mandates detailed reporting of drug pricing, rebates, and fees. The bill affects Medicaid programs, Medicare Part D plans, and the PBMs that negotiate drug prices on behalf of insurers. It includes enforcement mechanisms like civil penalties for non-compliance and requires PBMs to report detailed pricing information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Maddy summaryThe Restoring Patient Protections and Affordability Act of 2025 extends enhanced premium tax credits through 2028, making health insurance more affordable for lower- and middle-income individuals. It extends the 2026 open enrollment period through May 1, 2026, and restores funding for navigator programs that help people enroll in health insurance plans. The bill requires health insurance issuers to notify enrollees about changes to premium assistance and establishes $1,000 daily penalties for failing to comply with these notification requirements. Additionally, it limits surprise premium increases for people with household incomes below 400% of the poverty line and prevents premium spikes for those with ACA or employer coverage. These changes directly affect millions of people enrolled in health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

Maddy summaryS 3347, the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act, requires airlines to provide $750 in cash compensation, free rebooking, meals, and for overnight delays, lodging and transportation when flights are delayed or canceled due to the airline's fault. The bill mandates the Transportation Secretary to form a committee within 90 days - including airline, airport, and consumer representatives - to develop recommendations for these standards, including aligning with international rules like Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations. An interim rule implementing these requirements will take effect two years after enactment, mandating the compensation and services for affected passengers. This legislation standardizes passenger protections across U.S. airlines to align with global practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. military action against Venezuela without specific new congressional authorization. It blocks funding for Defense Department operations involving "hostilities" (defined as any use of lethal force by U.S. forces) except under two conditions: a new law passed after this bill's enactment, or a congressional authorization meeting War Powers Resolution standards. Key exceptions allow self-defense, protection of U.S. personnel, lawful counternarcotics operations, and humanitarian aid. The bill does not override the War Powers Resolution but requires stricter authorization for military engagement with Venezuela.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3372) adds a new tax provision to exclude certain wildfire relief payments from individuals' gross income. It applies to payments received for losses like property damage, additional living expenses, or lost wages (not covered by insurance) resulting from federally declared wildfires after December 2014. The exclusion prevents double tax benefits by disallowing deductions for expenses already covered by these payments. The provision takes effect for payments received after December 31, 2025, and directly affects wildfire victims receiving such compensation.