Maddy summaryS 681, the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2023, prohibits U.S. federal agencies and officials from acquiring, possessing, or using facial recognition or similar biometric surveillance systems (like voice analysis or gait tracking) within the United States, except for specific congressional authorizations meeting strict criteria. It bans federal funding for such systems, makes illegally obtained data inadmissible in court, and allows affected individuals to sue the government for violations. The bill also ties federal law enforcement funding (via Byrne grants) to state/local governments adopting similar bans on biometric surveillance. It explicitly excludes NIST research and does not override stricter state/local laws.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe American Dream Employment Act of 2023 (S 672) amends a federal appropriations law to allow House and Senate employees with specific immigration protections to receive pay for their work. It explicitly includes individuals holding deferred action (like DACA), deferred enforced departure, or temporary protected status (TPS) who have a current work authorization document. This change removes a prior exclusion that may have prevented these employees from being compensated while working for Congress. The bill directly affects federal workers in Congress who are in these immigration status categories and possess valid work permits under the referenced programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create new reporting rules for large cryptocurrency mining operations, defined as those using at least 5 megawatts of power (either as a single facility or multiple facilities owned by the same company with combined power use). It mandates these operations to report both direct greenhouse gas emissions from their own energy use and indirect emissions from purchased electricity under the Clean Air Act. Additionally, the EPA must conduct a comprehensive study on crypto mining's environmental impacts - including emissions, energy consumption patterns, effects on communities near mining sites, and potential grid strain - and submit a report to Congress within 18 months. The study will cover locations, emissions data, public health risks, and energy sources, with $5 million in funding allocated for both the reporting rule development and the study.
Maddy summarySRES 57 is a Senate resolution honoring David Ferdinand Durenberger, a former U.S. Senator from Minnesota (served 1978-1989). It commemorates his life and career, highlighting his role as the lead Republican sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act and his work protecting Minnesota's natural resources like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The resolution directs the Senate to formally recognize his passing and transmit a copy to his family. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents.
Maddy summaryThe Sustaining Our Democracy Act creates a federal program that provides states with funding for election administration improvements and increased voter access. It allocates $2 billion annually from a trust fund to support specific activities like upgrading voting equipment, expanding early and mail voting, recruiting election workers, and protecting election officials from threats. States must submit detailed plans describing how they'll use the funds for approved activities, and the program prohibits using funds for restrictions on voting access or improper audits. The Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation will oversee the program and ensure funds are used appropriately. This legislation directly affects all states participating in federal elections by providing resources to strengthen election systems and increase access for underserved communities.
Maddy summaryS 622, the Helping Heroes Act of 2023, creates a new Family Support Program to provide services for children of disabled veterans. It directly affects veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 70% or higher and their children under 18. The bill requires the VA to place full-time Family Coordinators at each medical center to assess family needs, connect them to services like mental health support, educational assistance, and after-school programs, and coordinate with non-VA providers. The program mandates annual reporting on participants and outcomes, including demographic data and service effectiveness, and requires VA to include family support resources in military transition programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor Navy pilot Everett Alvarez, Jr., for his service as a Vietnam War POW and subsequent public service. It directs the Speaker of the House and Senate President pro tempore to arrange for the medal's presentation, specifying it must bear his name and image. Bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund. The bill is purely ceremonial, recognizing Alvarez's 8+ years as a prisoner of war and his post-military career. It does not create new policies or affect any government programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides temporary civil protections for federal workers during government shutdowns. It allows workers who are furloughed or working without pay to seek court-ordered stays on rent, mortgage payments, student loans, taxes, and insurance premiums during the shutdown and for 30 days afterward. Key provisions include halting evictions, foreclosures, and student loan collections without court approval, while preventing penalties or negative credit reporting during the covered period. These protections apply to all federal employees and contractor staff, excluding criminal matters and child support.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to allow employers to claim a work opportunity tax credit for hiring spouses of active-duty military members. It adds "qualified military spouse" as a new category for the credit, defined as an individual certified by a local agency as married to a military service member at the time of hire. Employers who hire such individuals after the bill's enactment date can claim this credit for their wages. The change directly affects employers seeking tax incentives and military spouses seeking employment opportunities. The provision applies to hiring that occurs after the bill becomes law.
Maddy summaryS 617, the COAST Anti-Drilling Act, prohibits the federal government from issuing oil and gas leases in four specific offshore areas: the Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas. The bill amends federal law to require the Secretary of the Interior to deny all permits for exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or minerals in these regions. This directly affects oil and gas companies seeking to operate in those federal waters and aims to prevent offshore drilling activities in these coastal zones.