Sen. Shelley Moore Capito

Maddy summaryS 94, the "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act," authorizes three congressional gold medals for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team members. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medals, with one medal displayed at each of three locations: the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Minnesota, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs. The legislation also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This is a commemorative measure recognizing the team's 1980 Olympic victory, not a policy change affecting current legislation or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mandatory detention for certain noncitizens (aliens) charged with crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury, specifically those who entered without inspection, had a revoked temporary visa, or fall under specific immigration categories. It directly affects noncitizens facing such criminal charges and crime victims or their families. Key provisions mandate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to notify victims (or their families if deceased) about the alien’s identity, immigration status, custody details, and removal efforts. The bill also clarifies that these requirements do not override existing victim rights under other laws.

Maddy summaryThe SMART Act of 2025 requires federal agencies to create and implement frameworks for assessing the effectiveness of major regulations after they take effect. It defines "major rules" as those with significant economic impact ($100 million+ annually), major cost increases for consumers or industries, or substantial effects on competition, health, or the environment. Agencies must include these assessment plans when publishing proposed major rules and conduct formal reviews within 10 years of a rule's implementation, measuring actual benefits, costs, and whether the rule still meets its goals. This affects all federal agencies issuing major regulations (like EPA or Labor rules) and the businesses, communities, and individuals subject to those rules. The Office of Management and Budget oversees compliance and requires public publication of assessment results.

Maddy summaryS 77, the Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2025, requires federal agencies to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking 90 days before issuing a formal notice for "major rules." This bill defines a "major rule" as one likely to cost the economy $100 million annually or significantly impact areas like health, safety, or competition. The advance notice must include the problem being addressed, regulatory alternatives, and legal authority, and must solicit public comments for at least 30 days. It directly affects agencies issuing major regulations and the public, providing earlier opportunity for input before formal proposals. Exceptions apply for rules exempt from standard notice requirements or deemed routine.

Maddy summaryS 74, the Fair Play for Girls Act, requires the Attorney General to submit a report to specific congressional committees within one year of enactment. The report must analyze issues including barriers to fair competition for biological female athletes, the prevalence of biological female athletes losing opportunities when competing against biological males, and the effectiveness of state laws addressing these concerns. It also examines online harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse against women and girls in athletics, along with the effectiveness of existing laws preventing such harm. The report will include policy recommendations to address these issues, but the bill itself does not change any laws or directly affect specific groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 72) changes how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) releases non-detained immigrants. It requires that aliens only be placed in Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs after all detention beds are filled, no detention options exist, and all reasonable detention efforts are exhausted (Section 2). It mandates continuous GPS monitoring and a nightly curfew (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) for all aliens in ATD programs during all immigration proceedings and until removal (Section 3). Additionally, it allows for automatic removal in absentia if an alien fails to comply with release conditions, based on an officer’s affidavit (Section 4). The bill directly affects non-detained immigrants under ICE supervision who would previously qualify for ATD.

Maddy summarySRES 19 is a Senate resolution honoring former President Jimmy Carter's life and legacy, commending his decades of public service, humanitarian work, and diplomatic achievements including the Camp David Accords and founding The Carter Center. The resolution specifically recognizes his Nobel Peace Prize, efforts to combat diseases like Guinea worm, and 30+ years of Habitat for Humanity homebuilding. It formally mourns his passing and extends condolences to his family, while highlighting his role in establishing U.S.-China diplomatic relations and creating the Departments of Education and Energy. As a symbolic resolution with no policy impact, it directly affects no individuals or entities but serves as a formal Senate tribute to Carter's historical contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain and place a statue of Benjamin Franklin in the U.S. Capitol by specific deadlines. The Joint Committee must secure the statue by December 31, 2025, and install it in a public area accessible during Capitol Visitor Center guided tours by December 31, 2026. It affects the Joint Committee’s duties and the Capitol’s public display arrangements, with no policy changes beyond the physical placement. As a procedural bill, it focuses solely on the statue’s procurement and location, not legislative substance.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals with a valid concealed carry permit from their home state to carry concealed handguns in other states that either permit concealed carry for residents or don’t ban it entirely. It applies to permit holders who are federally eligible to possess firearms, require government-issued ID, and must follow the host state’s specific restrictions (like where carry is prohibited). The bill does not override state laws on issuing permits but ensures reciprocity for those who legally carry in their home state, excluding machineguns and destructive devices.

Maddy summary# Summary of Water Resources Development Act of 2024 This document is a comprehensive legislative bill (Water Resources Development Act of 2024) that establishes numerous provisions related to water resources management across the United States. The key themes and provisions include: ## Primary Focus Areas - **Water Supply, Conservation, and Drought Resiliency**: The Act establishes a priority for water supply, conservation measures, and drought resiliency efforts at water resources development projects (Section 1161-1162). - **Tribal Partnerships**: Creates enhanced Tribal partnership programs (Sections 1140-1141) allowing Indian Tribes to directly carry out eligible projects with specific implementation guidelines. - **Infrastructure Management**: Addresses systemwide improvement frameworks for flood control works (Section 1146) and establishes requirements for remote operations at Corps dams (Section 1149). ## Key Provisions - **Federal Interest Determinations**: Streamlines the process for determining Federal interest in studies (Section 1142). - **Watershed Assessments**: Expands the list of designated watersheds for assessment (Section 1143). - **Hurricane & Storm Damage Reduction**: Provides flexibility with easements for hurricane and storm damage reduction projects (Section 1145). - **Recreation Management**: Updates the challenge cost-sharing program for recreation facilities (Section 1153) and retention of recreation fees (Section 1154). - **Data Management**: Calls for improved water data integration and sharing (Section 1155). - **Reporting Requirements**: Establishes detailed reporting and oversight mechanisms for numerous reports (Section 1150). ## Special Emphasis - **Drought Resiliency**: The Grace F. Napolitano Priority for Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resiliency Act of 2024 (Sections 1160-1162) prioritizes drought resiliency efforts across water resources projects. - **Covered Communities**: Provides special considerations for projects serving communities in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, and other territories (Section 1148). - **Invasive Species Control**: Includes provisions for controlling aquatic plant growths and invasive species (Section 1144). ## Implementation Requirements - The Act includes specific deadlines for guidance updates (Section 1150(c)). - Establishes authorization of appropriations for various programs (Sections 1141, 1152). - Creates reporting requirements to Congress on the status of various water resources projects and studies. This legislation represents a comprehensive approach to modernizing water resources management in the United States, with special attention to drought resiliency, tribal partnerships, infrastructure maintenance, and environmental protection.