Sen. Rick Scott

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 6, 2026, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day" to recognize the value of speech and debate programs in schools. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages educational institutions, businesses, and communities to celebrate and promote these programs. The resolution highlights how speech and debate education develops communication, critical thinking, and civic skills for students. It directly affects schools, teachers, and students participating in these programs by raising awareness of their importance. The Senate formally designates the date and urges nationwide participation in honoring this educational focus.

Maddy summaryThe SHARKED Act of 2025 establishes a 7-year task force under the Commerce Secretary to address shark interactions with fishing operations and humans. The task force, including fishery council representatives, shark behavior researchers, and state agencies, will identify research priorities (like causes of increased shark interactions and non-lethal deterrents), develop management strategies, and create educational materials for fishermen. It amends the Magnuson-Stevens Act to fund specific shark depredation research projects focused on reducing harmful interactions. The bill directly affects coastal fisheries managers, researchers, and fishing communities by directing coordinated action on shark-human interactions, without altering existing protections under the Endangered Species Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the TAP Promotion Act, would allow representatives from recognized veterans service organizations to join presentations that inform service members about benefits they can access after leaving the military. These presentations are part of the Transition Assistance Program, which helps veterans prepare for civilian life, and the law requires that they be standardized and approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs before being used. The bill also mandates that the presentations include information on how veterans service organizations can help with filing benefit claims, while prohibiting any effort to encourage members to join a specific organization. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs must submit an annual report to Congress detailing which organizations participated in these sessions and how many service members attended.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026, would give the President the authority to reduce government spending to eliminate a projected budget deficit. It allows the President to decline to spend certain discretionary funds, excluding Medicare and Social Security benefits, if a deficit is anticipated for a fiscal year. The decision to withhold these funds would be made in consultation with the Treasury Secretary and the Office of Management and Budget. This provision would operate outside the usual rules governing how the President handles unspent government funds.

Maddy summarySRES 615 is a Senate resolution celebrating Black History Month, acknowledging the historical contributions of African Americans to U.S. society across fields like civil rights, arts, science, and leadership. The resolution encourages all citizens to reflect on this history as part of the nation's ongoing journey toward equality, without creating new laws or policies. It specifically recognizes figures such as Frederick Douglass, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks, and emphasizes the importance of Black History Month in February as a time for communal learning and inspiration. This ceremonial resolution was introduced by multiple senators and passed unanimously by the Senate in 2026.

Maddy summarySRES 613 is a Senate resolution (not a law) recognizing the Army-Navy football game as "America’s Game." It expresses the Senate’s view that the annual game between the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy - held since 1890 - should remain the only major college football game played on the second Saturday of December. The resolution urges broadcasters, athletic conferences, and universities to avoid scheduling competing games during this time slot to preserve the event’s national prominence and its role in honoring military service. It does not create new laws or funding but calls for federal agencies to review policies supporting the game’s civic significance. (Note: This is a symbolic resolution, not a bill with binding effects.)

Maddy summaryS 3922, the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2026, exempts specific types of cigars from most FDA regulations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It directly affects traditional cigar manufacturers who produce cigars meeting strict criteria: 100% tobacco leaf construction (no filters or non-tobacco parts), weighing at least 6 pounds per 1,000 cigars, and made by hand or with limited machinery. The bill defines "traditional large and premium cigars" to exclude cigarettes and little cigars while ensuring these products are not subject to new FDA rules. This change aims to preserve jobs in the small business cigar manufacturing sector by reducing regulatory burden. The bill does not alter existing rules for other tobacco products.

Maddy summaryS 3920 (UASI Act) requires local governments applying for Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grants to allocate at least 30% of their total grant funds across specific national priority areas, including cybersecurity, soft target protection, and election security. Crucially, it mandates a minimum 10% allocation for "border crisis response and enforcement," which includes activities like cooperating with ICE on detainers, training law enforcement on immigration law, and developing shared technology systems with ICE. Grantees must also submit detailed justifications for border-related spending and certify compliance with DHS rules, including prohibitions on incentivizing illegal immigration. Failure to meet these allocations could result in funding holds, denial of future grants, or termination of current awards. The requirements apply to all UASI grants awarded for fiscal year 2027 and beyond.

Maddy summaryThis bill withholds federal funding for event security assessments from jurisdictions that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, such as by refusing to share immigration status information or comply with detainer requests. To qualify for funding, these jurisdictions must certify compliance with federal immigration laws within 30 days of notification. The withheld funds are redirected to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for enforcement activities, prioritizing public safety threats and border operations. Semiannual reports to Congress will track the funding shifts and their impact on enforcement outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act amends a federal firearms law to adjust references to prohibitions on firearm possession. It replaces two existing references (to restrictions on illegal aliens and certain transfers) with four, including the current prohibition on illegal aliens (people without legal U.S. immigration status) from possessing firearms. The bill's title indicates it targets illegal aliens serving as police officers, as they would require firearm possession for their duties. However, the bill text does not explicitly state this application to law enforcement roles, only modifying the firearms law.