Sen. Dan Sullivan

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures uninterrupted food assistance benefits for SNAP recipients during a government funding gap. If Congress fails to pass full funding for the Department of Agriculture by September 30, 2025, the bill directs the Treasury to provide necessary funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing without interruption. It also covers missed benefits retroactively from September 30, 2025, through the bill’s enactment date. The funding stops once Congress enacts actual fiscal year 2026 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture. This directly affects approximately 40 million low-income individuals and families who rely on SNAP benefits.

Maddy summaryThe Judicial Efficiency Improvement Act reorganizes federal judicial circuits by creating a new Twelfth Circuit covering Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, while modifying the Ninth Circuit to cover California, Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands. It adds judgeships to both circuits and specific district courts across multiple states, with additional judgeships for California, Florida, New York, Texas, and other districts scheduled to be implemented incrementally from 2025 through 2035. The bill establishes procedures for transferring cases and temporarily assigning judges between the former Ninth Circuit and the new Twelfth Circuit, including specific requirements for case transfers and judge assignments. It also includes funding authorizations that increase annually to support these changes, with the reorganization taking effect one year after enactment. The old Ninth Circuit court will cease administrative operations two years after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summarySRES 457 is a symbolic resolution designating the week beginning October 19, 2025, as "Coal Week" in recognition of the coal industry's historical and ongoing contributions to U.S. energy, military readiness, and economic stability. It highlights coal's role in providing 19.5% of U.S. electricity in 2022, its global significance (36% of global electricity), and progress in reducing emissions from coal power plants. The resolution does not create new policy or affect specific groups, as it is purely commemorative. It was introduced by Senators Lummis, Hoeven, Lee, and others.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits all federal enforcement of emissions control requirements for diesel trucks. It directly affects diesel truck manufacturers, importers, distributors, and owners by eliminating all federal mandates (including under the Clean Air Act) for emissions control devices or onboard diagnostic systems on diesel vehicles. Key provisions repeal existing EPA regulations, prevent future rulemaking on emissions devices, and expunge past legal records related to non-compliance with emissions standards. The law would remove all federal legal barriers to modifying or removing emissions equipment from diesel engines.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the North Pacific Research Board's structure and funding rules. It adds a new Board member position to be nominated by the Board and appointed by the Secretary, requiring the person to represent Alaska Natives and have direct experience with subsistence uses. The bill also adjusts the 15% cap on administrative expenses for the Board, allowing the NOAA Administrator to temporarily increase this cap if funding decreases, to prioritize continuing Board operations, maximizing research funding, and maintaining grant quality. The cap waiver is set to last for 5 years from the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThe ANCHOR Act requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) Director to create a plan within one year to improve cybersecurity and internet connectivity for ocean research vessels operated by U.S. universities and laboratories. The plan must assess current needs - like secure data sharing, telemedicine for crew, and real-time scientific collaboration - along with costs for equipment (e.g., satellite systems) and training. It specifically targets the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, defined as NSF-funded vessels used for ocean science. The bill does not provide new funding but mandates a roadmap for upgrading these vessels’ technology to support safe and effective research.

Maddy summarySRES 446 is a ceremonial Senate resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy's founding on October 13, 1775. It recognizes the Navy's historical role in protecting U.S. interests and acknowledges its current size (over 290 ships, 3,700 aircraft, and 590,000 personnel). The resolution expresses appreciation for the service of Navy personnel past and present and reaffirms Senate support for the Navy as a key national defense force. It has no binding effect or policy changes, serving solely as a symbolic tribute.

Maddy summarySRES 337 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Postal Service, which was founded on July 26, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress. The resolution highlights the postal service's historical significance, growth from 75 post offices to over 30,000 locations, and its role in uniting the nation. It honors postal employees and invites the public to celebrate by writing letters, buying stamps, or recognizing postal workers. As a commemorative resolution, it contains no new policy or funding provisions.

Maddy summaryThe Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that certain federal employees who must work during government shutdowns - such as those in national security or emergency roles, plus their supporting contractors - receive wages during funding gaps. It directs agencies to use unspent Treasury funds to pay these "excepted employees" for work performed when no appropriations are in effect, covering periods until new funding is enacted. Payments end automatically when either full-year appropriations are passed or a continuing resolution without such funding is enacted. All costs are later charged to the agency’s next regular budget, avoiding new appropriations. This directly affects federal workers designated as essential during shutdowns, not the general public.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 442) formally condemns recent Russian military incursions into NATO member countries' airspace, citing specific incidents in Poland, Romania, and Estonia during September 2025. It also condemns Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and its refusal to negotiate an end to the war. The resolution reaffirms NATO's Article 5 commitment to collective defense, emphasizing that attacks on any member are considered attacks on all. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's support for NATO allies facing these threats.