Sen. Patty Murray

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans awarded the Purple Heart after September 11, 2001, to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to family members (spouse or children). It permits transferring up to 36 months of unused benefits, with dependents able to use the benefits after completing high school or turning 18. The bill includes special provisions for children acting as primary caregivers for injured veterans and for emergencies like school closures, extending benefit use beyond standard age limits. It modifies existing GI Bill transfer rules to add Purple Heart recipients as eligible transferors while maintaining the same payment rates and administrative processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create rules preventing companies from reducing product sizes without proportionally lowering prices - a practice known as "shrinkflation." It defines shrinkflation as downsizing a product while not decreasing the price commensurately, treating violations as deceptive practices under existing FTC authority. The rules would be finalized within 18 months of the bill's enactment, with enforcement by the FTC and states allowed to sue companies for violations. The measure directly affects consumers, who face deceptive pricing, and manufacturers who would need to adjust product sizing and pricing transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisors. It directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to determine if state laws "substantially provide" for specific rights including the right to form unions, bargain collectively, and have interest impasse resolution mechanisms. If a state law doesn't meet these standards, the FLRA would administer collective bargaining for affected employees. The bill also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would disrupt emergency services and preserves existing collective bargaining agreements in place before the bill's enactment. It does not preempt state laws that already meet these minimum standards.

Maddy summarySRES 693 is a Senate resolution recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the historical contributions of these communities to U.S. history. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of their achievements, growth (including demographic data and key anniversaries like the 50th anniversary of *Lau v. Nichols*), and ongoing challenges like anti-Asian hate crimes. It directly honors these communities and aims to raise awareness of their diverse impacts on American society.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to update vehicle safety crash testing standards within 180 days. It mandates using new testing devices for both adult male (50th percentile) and adult female (5th percentile) occupants in all seating positions, including driver and rear seats. The rule must include updated injury criteria based on real-world crash data and require physical crash tests to validate digital simulations. Vehicle manufacturers will be directly affected as they must comply with these revised testing procedures for new car safety ratings. The rule must be updated annually to incorporate new testing technology.

Maddy summaryThis bill improves higher education access for homeless and foster youth by requiring colleges to provide specific support services and housing access. It mandates institutions to designate liaisons who help these students access housing, financial aid, and support services, and gives priority for housing to homeless youth, foster youth, and those at risk of homelessness. The bill also requires public colleges to offer in-state tuition rates to homeless and foster youth, and directs TRIO programs to specifically serve these populations. Additionally, it establishes reporting requirements to track how effectively institutions serve these students. These changes aim to remove barriers preventing homeless and foster youth from accessing and completing higher education.

Maddy summaryS 4272, the Shirley Chisholm Statue Act, directs the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain and permanently place a statue of Shirley Chisholm - the first Black woman elected to Congress - in the U.S. Capitol within two years of the bill’s enactment. The bill authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to negotiate the statue agreement on behalf of the committee and specifies that funds for this purpose must be appropriated and remain available until spent. This procedural bill affects Capitol public spaces and honors Chisholm’s historical significance, with no policy changes beyond the statue’s placement.

Maddy summarySRES 673 is a commemorative Senate resolution honoring the late David Hampton Pryor, who served as a U.S. Senator for Arkansas from 1978 to 1997. The resolution expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" at his death and directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and deliver a copy to his family. It does not create new laws or policies - it is purely ceremonial, recognizing Pryor’s career as a legislator, governor, and public servant. The resolution concludes with the Senate adjourning as a mark of respect for his legacy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 668) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring the late Senator Daniel Robert "Bob" Graham of Florida, who died on November 9, 2023. It formally expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death and directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House of Representatives and deliver a copy to his family. The resolution commemorates Graham's career as a Florida senator (1987-2005), governor (1979-1987), and his work on the 9/11 intelligence inquiry, but does not create any new laws or affect constituents. As a commemorative resolution, it serves solely to memorialize his service.

Maddy summarySRES 672 is a Senate resolution recognizing April 2024 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. It expresses the Senate's support for the month's goals, including raising public awareness about sexual violence, preventing assaults, improving support for survivors, and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable. The resolution specifically acknowledges the work of organizations like RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), local rape crisis centers, and professionals in law enforcement and healthcare who provide critical services to survivors. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves to highlight ongoing efforts to address sexual assault.