Sen. Maria Cantwell

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 601) designates the week beginning February 2, 2026, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week" to recognize these institutions' role in serving Native communities and their economic contributions. It highlights that tribal colleges serve students from over 250 federally recognized tribes, offer culturally grounded education, and contribute $3.8 billion annually to the U.S. economy. As a symbolic resolution (not a law), it has no binding effect but calls for public observance through community activities. The resolution focuses on honoring tribal colleges' mission and achievements, citing their open enrollment and economic impact statistics.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month" to raise public awareness about mentoring programs. It recognizes the benefits of mentoring for youth - including improved academic performance, mental health, career development, and reduced risk of delinquency - and highlights that 40% of U.S. youth lack a mentor. The Senate encourages community, school, and workplace efforts to expand existing mentoring programs and recruit volunteers to support young people. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to promote existing mentoring initiatives across the country.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the National Weather Service to replace the current NEXRAD weather radar system with a new network by 2040. It requires developing performance standards, testing new radar technologies through a public-private testbed, and partnering with external entities (like private companies or local governments) to fill coverage gaps using "Radar-As-A-Service" models. The program directly affects the National Weather Service, emergency managers, and communities in areas with limited radar coverage, aiming to improve storm detection and forecasting accuracy nationwide. Key provisions include phased implementation, prioritizing locations for new radar sites, and consulting meteorologists and public safety officials during planning.

Maddy summarySRES 596 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating February 2-6, 2026, as "National School Counseling Week." It directly recognizes school counselors and their role in supporting students' academic, social, emotional, and career development. The resolution encourages public awareness through ceremonies and activities to highlight counselors' contributions, addressing their critical but often underfunded role (with a national student-to-counselor ratio of 376:1). It does not create new programs or alter funding but formally acknowledges counselors' work in schools.

Maddy summaryThe Carbon Resource Innovation Act (S 3778) expands a federal tax credit to include businesses capturing carbon in solid or liquid form, directly affecting companies building carbon capture facilities. It modifies the existing 45Q tax credit to cover facilities that capture carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, requiring measurement at the capture source and verification at disposal. The bill sets a minimum annual capture threshold of 1,000 metric tons for these facilities and defines "solid or liquid carbon capture facility" to include systems with net carbon reductions compared to standard processes. This change aims to incentivize broader carbon capture technology adoption beyond current direct air capture methods.

Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025 This bill specifies that the Indian Health Service (IHS) must reimburse patients for their out-of-pocket costs for authorized purchased/referred care services within 30 days. (The IHS provides medical and dental services directly to American Indian and Alaska Native patients whenever possible. However, when services are not available, IHS beneficiaries may be referred to private providers. This is called purchased/referred care.) Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and implement procedures to allow a patient who paid out of pocket for purchased/referred care services authorized by the IHS to be reimbursed by the IHS for that payment no later than 30 days after the patient submits required documentation.  Additionally, the bill requires HHS to update applicable provisions of and exhibits to the Indian Health Manual, contracts with providers, and other relevant documents and administrative authorities to incorporate the provisions of the bill. The bill also replaces statutory references to contract health service with purchased/referred care .

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the 1989 settlement for the Puyallup Tribe of Indians to allow the tribe to withdraw funds from a permanent trust fund. It amends the existing law to permit withdrawals under the 1994 Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act, requiring the tribe to follow federal management rules and obtain Secretary of the Interior approval for a management plan. The change directly affects Puyallup Tribe members who would gain access to these funds for tribal use. A separate savings provision ensures the U.S. government can continue engaging with the tribe under other federal laws after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summarySRES 593 is a Senate resolution honoring the 67 victims of the January 29, 2025 mid-air collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 over the Potomac River. It specifically recognizes the lives of all victims, including 11 U.S. figure skating athletes, their families, and 3 Army soldiers, as well as the 1,700+ first responders who assisted in the recovery efforts. The resolution offers condolences to affected families, acknowledges the bravery of emergency personnel, and commits the Senate to using safety lessons from the crash to prevent future incidents. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or provide direct benefits but serves to formally memorialize the tragedy and honor those impacted.

Maddy summarySRES 585 is a commemorative resolution honoring Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a former U.S. Senator from Colorado and the first Native American to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. It recognizes his military service, Olympic judo career, legislative work (including authoring the National Museum of the American Indian Act), and advocacy for tribal communities. The resolution has no policy impact - it formally expresses the Senate’s respect for his legacy, requests transmission to his family, and directs a moment of silence. It directly affects Campbell’s legacy and family, not any current policy or population. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with legislative provisions.)

This joint resolution directs the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces for hostilities within or against Venezuela unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted. The joint resolution specifies that it shall not be construed to prevent the United States from defending itself from an armed attack or threat of an imminent armed attack.