Sen. John Fetterman

Maddy summarySRES 857 is a Senate resolution expressing concern about the rising trend of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries. It cites data showing over 10,000 individual book bans in 2023-2024 (double the previous year), with many targeting books about race, LGBTQ+ experiences, and diverse perspectives - including classics like *The Handmaid’s Tale* and *To Kill a Mockingbird*. The resolution calls on schools and local governments to follow best practices for handling book challenges and to protect students’ access to diverse materials, while reaffirming First Amendment rights to free expression. It also designates the week of September 22-28, 2024, as Banned Books Week.

Maddy summarySRES 864 is a Senate resolution designating September 23-29, 2024, as "Rail Safety Week." It expresses support for efforts to reduce highway-rail grade crossing incidents, trespasser-related fatalities, and derailments, while promoting safer transportation of hazardous materials and preventing rail worker injuries or deaths. The resolution encourages public education on rail safety and aligns with ongoing initiatives like the Federal Railroad Administration’s safety programs. It does not create new laws or funding but formally supports existing safety goals and commemorates past rail safety efforts.

This resolution acknowledges the 120th anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and commends the organization for its work mentoring the young people of the United States and strengthening thousands of communities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 887) is a symbolic Senate expression of support for designating October 7-12, 2024, as "National 4-H Week." It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the 4-H youth development program, which serves nearly 6 million young people nationwide through community-based projects in health, science, and leadership. The resolution highlights 4-H’s role in fostering youth leadership and its partnership with land-grant universities and the USDA. It directly affects the 4-H organization, its 500,000 volunteers, and the youth members participating in the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts the premium tax credit program under the Affordable Care Act to make health insurance more affordable for lower-income households. It establishes a new sliding scale for the percentage of income people pay toward premiums based on household income relative to the federal poverty line (ranging from 150% to 400% of the poverty line). For example, households earning 150-200% of the poverty line would pay 0-2% of income, while those earning 300-400% would pay 6-8.5%. The changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, and directly affect individuals purchasing health insurance through marketplace plans who qualify for these tax credits.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Mental Health Care for Selected Reserve Act eliminates cost-sharing requirements for mental health and substance use treatment for members of the Selected Reserve covered under TRICARE Reserve Select. It amends federal law to prohibit copays or cost-shares for all behavioral health care under this plan, overriding existing cost-sharing rules. This directly affects reserve component service members enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select, ensuring they can access mental health services without out-of-pocket expenses. The policy change removes a financial barrier to care, making behavioral health services fully covered under their existing TRICARE plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 5221 (Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act), removes specific date restrictions for veterans' families seeking government-furnished headstones or markers. It amends a law (38 U.S.C. § 2306(b)(2)) to eliminate two time limits: deaths occurring on or after November 11, 1998, and deaths before September 30, 2025. This change expands eligibility to include veterans who died during the previously excluded periods. The policy directly affects families of deceased veterans who were previously ineligible for these headstones or markers due to those date restrictions.

Maddy summaryThe Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act prohibits Amtrak from requiring customers to use private arbitration or waive class action rights for consumer and civil rights disputes. It invalidates pre-dispute agreements forcing arbitration or blocking collective claims related to Amtrak services (like personal injuries) or discrimination (e.g., based on race, gender, or disability). Courts, not arbitrators, will decide if a dispute falls under this law, ensuring customers can pursue claims in court. The bill applies to all claims arising after its effective date, directly affecting Amtrak and all its customers who use passenger services.

Maddy summaryThe CARE for Kids Act of 2024 expands eligibility for free school meals under the National School Lunch Program. It adds new categories of children who automatically qualify, including those in kinship care (e.g., with grandparents or relatives who have legal authority), children receiving adoption or kinship guardianship payments, and children living in designated low-income housing with older caregivers. The bill also requires school districts to honor existing meal eligibility for children who transfer to a new district, extending it by one year if they began living with a qualifying relative caregiver within the prior 12 months. Additionally, it links Medicaid eligibility to school meal eligibility, automatically qualifying children receiving Medicaid benefits under specific programs. This primarily affects low-income children and school districts administering meal programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - 223 women who served as Army Signal Corps telephone operators in WWI. They connected 26 million calls in France, worked 12-hour shifts under combat conditions, and were denied veteran benefits for 60 years despite wearing uniforms and facing combat hazards. The medal recognizes their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and the decades-long struggle for recognition as soldiers. It directs the Treasury to strike the medal and place it in the Smithsonian for public display at institutions like the National WWI Museum.