Sen. Chris Van Hollen

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant Temporary Protected Status to nationals of Haiti. Under this provision, eligible Haitian immigrants would be allowed to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation until March 20, 2029. The legislation overrides other existing laws to ensure this designation remains in effect for the specified period.

Maddy summaryThe America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through 2033, increasing its annual funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion. It requires that projects funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund must secure at least 15% of their costs from public donations, which will be solicited through public awareness campaigns, donation locations at recreation sites, and during the purchase of recreation passes. The bill also mandates new reporting requirements for deferred maintenance and disposal of assets no longer serving public interest, while ensuring donations are credited to the Fund and allocated to specific projects.

Maddy summaryThe Land of the Free Act of 2026 amends federal immigration law to remove a specific ground for deportation related to protected speech activities. By striking a particular subsection of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the bill aims to prevent individuals from being deported solely for engaging in constitutionally protected expression. This change directly affects immigrants who might otherwise face removal proceedings based on their speech. The legislation does not alter other deportation criteria or create new categories of removable offenses.

Maddy summaryThe Stock Buyback Accountability Act of 2026 raises the federal excise tax on corporate stock repurchases from 1 percent to 4 percent, directly affecting corporations that buy back their own shares. This change also modifies existing tax rules to exclude stock issued to high-income executives and employees earning over $1 million from the tax calculation. The new provisions apply to stock repurchases occurring after the law is enacted, with specific transition rules for partial-year transactions, while the adjustments to tax exemptions take effect for taxable years ending more than 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill abolishes the Anti-Weaponization Fund, a financial reserve created by the Attorney General during the Trump v. Internal Revenue Service legal case. It also declares an order issued on May 19, 2026, regarding the release of certain claims as invalid and without effect. The legislation directly impacts the Department of Justice by removing this specific fund and reversing the associated administrative directive.

Maddy summaryThe Make More in America Act of 2026 expands the Export-Import Bank's authority to provide loans, guarantees, and other financial support specifically for U.S. manufacturing projects that are intended for export. This new program targets strategic industries such as renewable energy, semiconductors, shipbuilding, and advanced robotics, with a goal of creating at least 30 percent of the Bank's annual financing for these domestic projects. To ensure accountability, the bill requires recipients to meet prevailing wage standards, commit to workforce training, and adhere to strict timelines, with funds subject to clawback if these conditions are not met. Additionally, the legislation increases the Bank's overall lending authority, establishes a new interagency committee to coordinate federal investment strategies, and tightens rules on who is eligible for Bank support.

First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.

Maddy summaryThe Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026 establishes a new federal Children's Commission to advocate for the interests of all children and specifically marginalized youth, including foster care recipients and those facing systemic barriers. This 15-member commission, appointed by the Comptroller General, will conduct research, review federal regulations, and issue reports to ensure that child well-being is considered in government policies and legislation. The bill also creates a Children's Commissioner to lead the commission and requires agencies to share relevant data, while authorizing $7.5 million annually from 2027 through 2034 to fund these operations.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Flood Risk Management Act of 2026 requires federal agencies to evaluate and manage flood risks when undertaking projects in or affecting floodplains. Under this law, agencies must use climate-informed science to determine flood levels, adding a safety margin of two to three feet above current base flood elevations depending on the project's criticality. The bill mandates that federal construction and funding comply with a specific risk management standard, which includes elevating structures, preserving natural floodplain functions, and notifying the public of potential flood hazards. Federal agencies are also required to inform private parties about flood risks before approving financial transactions in vulnerable areas and must submit regular reports to Congress on how these new requirements are being implemented.

Maddy summaryThe Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 directs federal agencies to conduct a comprehensive study on how artificial intelligence and related data centers affect energy use, water consumption, and pollution. This study will examine both the negative environmental consequences, such as increased electricity costs and electronic waste, and potential positive applications like optimizing energy efficiency. To support these efforts, the bill establishes a stakeholder consortium to develop standardized methods for measuring environmental impacts and requires large data centers to annually report their resource usage to the Environmental Protection Agency. The legislation also mandates that these reports be made publicly available and includes provisions for penalties if facilities fail to comply with reporting requirements. Ultimately, the bill aims to create a transparent framework for understanding and mitigating the environmental footprint of the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.