Sen. Tim Kaine

Maddy summarySJRES 84 is a joint resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Affordable Care Act. The rule, published in the Federal Register on June 25, 2025, aimed to improve affordability and integrity in health insurance marketplaces. If approved, this resolution would invalidate the rule under a federal disapproval process, preventing its implementation. This directly affects how health insurance plans are structured and priced for consumers using ACA marketplaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal funds from being used to support Venezuela's oil and petroleum infrastructure, including construction, property purchases, insurance, payments to companies, or government advocacy for the sector. It directly affects all U.S. government departments, agencies, and entities using federal funds, preventing them from financing or promoting Venezuela's oil industry. The prohibition includes all forms of financial support except for expenditures explicitly authorized by future Acts of Congress. Additionally, the Secretary of State must submit annual reports to congressional committees detailing any related activities and confirming compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two programs to address a critical shortage in the U.S. mining workforce, where 50% of current workers are expected to retire within five years. The Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship Program sends U.S. students to mining programs abroad, while the Visiting Mining Scholars Program brings foreign mining professionals and academics to U.S. institutions. Both programs aim to build a skilled workforce for the domestic critical mineral supply chain through international education exchanges. The bill authorizes $10 million annually from 2026-2035 for these initiatives, which will sunset after 10 years.

Maddy summaryS. RES. 579 is a non-binding Senate resolution affirming Social Security's critical role as a primary income source for seniors, people with disabilities, and survivors. It calls for bipartisan legislative action to avoid automatic benefit cuts and ensure the program's long-term solvency, without creating new legal requirements. The resolution emphasizes preserving Social Security's promise to current beneficiaries and future generations, as stated in the Senate's formal expression of "sense."

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and honors the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and Capitol staff (including custodial, janitorial, and maintenance personnel) who protected the building during the assault. It recognizes their bravery in defending Congress during the attack, which injured over 100 officers and contributed to five officer deaths, and acknowledges their ongoing essential work in maintaining Capitol operations. The resolution expresses Senate gratitude for their service and reaffirms commitment to protecting democratic processes. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to career services by updating the Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program to include surviving spouses of service members who died while on active duty. It amends eligibility criteria to cover "eligible persons," defined as spouses of veterans who died in service (Gold Star spouses) or spouses of those who died while serving in the Armed Forces. The change ensures these surviving spouses can access job training, employment assistance, and career counseling previously available only to veterans themselves. This directly affects Gold Star families and surviving spouses of fallen service members seeking workforce support.

Maddy summarySJRES 82 is a joint resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding how the agency should follow the text of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), a federal law governing how agencies create regulations. The rule, published in March 2025, was identified by the Government Accountability Office as a "rule" subject to the Congressional Review Act. If enacted, this resolution would void the HHS policy, preventing it from taking effect and requiring HHS to disregard this specific internal guideline. The bill directly affects HHS's rulemaking procedures by invalidating the policy statement on APA adherence.

Maddy summarySJRES 100 is a joint resolution directing the President to end U.S. military actions against vessels in the Caribbean Sea or Eastern Pacific Ocean that lack congressional authorization. It specifically targets military strikes beginning September 2, 2025, which the resolution states exceed the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution without a formal authorization. The bill requires the removal of U.S. forces from such hostilities unless Congress passes a specific declaration of war or authorization for use of military force. It does not affect self-defense actions against imminent threats, as clarified in Section 2(b). This resolution applies directly to U.S. military operations against vessels in those specific ocean regions.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals origination fees charged on new Federal Direct Loans under the Higher Education Act. It directly affects borrowers who take out new federal student loans through the Direct Loan program, eliminating an upfront fee they previously paid. The change takes effect for loans with their first disbursement or consolidation applications received on or after July 1 following the bill's enactment. The bill focuses solely on removing this specific fee, not on tax changes as the title suggests.

Maddy summaryThis bill reclassifies pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as fiduciaries under federal law, requiring them to act in the best interest of group health plans they serve. It mandates PBMs to disclose all compensation sources (including rebates and fees) and prohibits them from shielding themselves from liability for breaches of duty. The law directly affects PBMs, employers offering health plans, and health insurers that use PBM services. Key provisions include new transparency rules, clarifying that PBMs cannot be the "responsible fiduciary" for disclosure purposes, and banning contracts that exempt PBMs from accountability.