Sen. Bernard Sanders

Maddy summaryThis bill would significantly increase estate taxes by reducing the basic exclusion amount from $11.7 million to $3.5 million. It would increase tax rates for large estates, with rates rising to 65% for estates over $1 billion. The bill includes provisions to limit discounts for family-controlled businesses and requires a minimum 10-year term for certain trusts. It also eliminates generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions for certain transfers and modifies rules for farm property and conservation easements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Congress to declare war before the U.S. can conduct a first-use nuclear strike. It prohibits using federal funds for any nuclear attack on an enemy unless Congress has declared war and expressly authorized the strike. The bill defines "first-use nuclear strike" as an attack not preceded by a confirmed nuclear strike against the U.S., its territories, or its allies. This directly affects the President's authority to order nuclear weapons, mandating Congressional approval for such an action under constitutional war powers.

Maddy summarySRES 151 is a Senate resolution designating March 31, 2023, as "César Chávez Day" to honor the legacy of César Estrada Chávez, a civil rights leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers and championed nonviolent organizing for farmworkers' rights. This commemorative resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or groups; it serves solely as a symbolic recognition. The resolution highlights Chávez's life work advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignity for agricultural laborers. It follows longstanding tradition of honoring Chávez through official designations, including existing state holidays in California, Colorado, and Texas. The resolution encourages the public to reflect on his legacy of service and nonviolent activism.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes the contributions of care workers in the U.S., including childcare providers, home health aides, and support staff for older adults and people with disabilities. It expresses support for designating April 2023 as "Care Worker Recognition Month" to honor their essential role in supporting families and communities. The resolution highlights care workers' impact on economic stability, family caregiving, and community well-being without creating new laws or funding. As a symbolic gesture, it does not impose legal requirements or alter existing policies.

Maddy summarySRES 144 is a Senate resolution (not a law) that calls on the federal government to create a "Transgender Bill of Rights." It would direct agencies to develop policies protecting transgender and nonbinary people’s rights in healthcare, employment, housing, education, and legal identity. Key proposals include amending anti-discrimination laws to explicitly cover gender identity, ensuring access to gender-affirming care, simplifying updates to government IDs, and improving safety protections. The resolution emphasizes that these steps are "only the first steps" toward equality and stresses involving transgender communities in policy design. As a symbolic measure, it does not change current law but urges future legislative action.

Maddy summarySRES 142 is a Senate resolution expressing concern about environmental crimes and attacks on environmental and land defenders in Latin America and the Caribbean. It highlights the disproportionate targeting of Indigenous peoples (40% of fatal attacks in 2021 despite comprising 5% of the global population) and women, noting high murder rates in countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. The resolution urges governments to protect defenders, comply with international agreements (like the Escazú Agreement), and calls on U.S. agencies to support regional efforts through capacity building and anti-corruption initiatives. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of concern.

Maddy summaryS 1098, the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act, changes U.S. aid rules for foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) receiving funding under the Foreign Assistance Act. It removes eligibility barriers for these NGOs if they provide health services (like counseling) using their own funds, as long as those services comply with local laws and would be legal in the U.S. It also eliminates extra restrictions on how foreign NGOs can use non-U.S. government funds for advocacy or lobbying, making these rules the same as those applied to U.S. NGOs receiving similar aid. This directly affects foreign health-focused NGOs working in international development and rights advocacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clery Act to require colleges and universities to provide all campus safety reports, emergency response plans, and related materials in accessible formats for students and staff with disabilities - including those who are blind, deaf, or have cognitive or communication disabilities. Key provisions include mandating that emergency evacuation procedures account for disability needs, requiring campus security personnel to receive disability-inclusive training, and ensuring complaint processes (like sexual assault investigations) are accessible with accommodations like interpreters. It also requires prevention programs and all campus communications to be accessible and timely, with clear procedures for requesting accommodations. The bill directly affects all institutions covered by the Clery Act, aiming to make campus safety information and resources equitable for people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThe End Racial and Religious Profiling Act of 2023 (ERRPA) prohibits law enforcement agencies at all levels from engaging in racial profiling, defined as using race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation in stops and searches without specific evidence. The bill requires federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to collect and submit data on stops and searches disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and religion, and to implement training programs on racial profiling. It establishes grant programs to fund data collection demonstration projects and best practices development for eliminating racial profiling, with funds reserved for small and rural law enforcement agencies. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress on racial profiling data and implementation progress, with enforcement available through civil actions for individuals or the government.

Maddy summaryS 1086, the Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act, prohibits federal courts from excluding potential jurors based on disability or age. The bill amends federal jury law to ensure individuals with disabilities or older adults are not disqualified if they can serve with reasonable accommodations, such as accessible facilities or modified procedures. It specifically adds "disability, age" to existing protections against exclusion and requires courts to consider accommodations for jurors with infirmities. This change directly affects prospective federal jurors with disabilities or age-related needs who were previously excluded under broad "infirmity" rules. The bill applies only to federal jury service, not state courts.