Sen. Ted Budd

Maddy summaryThe Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026 grants the Department of Defense authority to purchase F-35 and F-15EX fighter jets through multiyear contracts. It also permits the procurement of key aircraft components in advance to streamline production schedules. The legislation establishes minimum inventory levels for Air Force fighter aircraft that must be maintained between 2026 and 2035. Additionally, it authorizes an increase in the F-15EX fleet size to 329 aircraft, requiring new planes to replace older F-15E models.

Maddy summaryThe Fighter Aircrew Career Flexibility Act creates a pilot program allowing experienced Air Force fighter pilots and navigators to take temporary breaks from active duty to help retain them in the service. Eligible officers can choose to serve in the Individual Ready Reserve for a period between four months and one year while maintaining certain benefits like security clearances, housing access, and pay. In exchange for this time off, participants must agree to undergo specific training to keep their skills sharp and will owe a service commitment equal to double the length of their break upon returning to active duty. The legislation also ensures that taking part in this program will not negatively impact a pilot's promotion or career advancement opportunities. Finally, the Air Force must submit a report to Congress within four years to evaluate the program's success in reducing early separations and preserving experienced personnel.

Maddy summaryThe Engineering Biology Readiness Act requires federal agencies to include a specific analysis of engineering biology risks in their biodefense threat assessments. This analysis must evaluate current security threats, review existing research efforts, and identify gaps in laws and regulations regarding biosafety and biosecurity. Based on this review, the agencies must provide recommendations to align research efforts, modernize safety programs, and establish new safeguards against the misuse or accidental release of engineered biological materials. The report must also propose legislative actions and funding estimates, developed in consultation with industry, academic, and civil society experts.

Maddy summaryThe Marijuana Impact on Medicaid Act of 2026 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to gather data on federal and state Medicaid spending for hospital and emergency room treatments related to marijuana use. This report will specifically focus on costs for inpatient care, outpatient services, and emergency room visits, without distinguishing between emergency and non-emergency situations. Once the data is collected, the Secretary must submit a detailed report to Congress and the public within one year of the law's enactment, including any recommendations for future legislative or administrative actions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Senate's view that the President should prioritize securing the release of specific individuals detained by the People's Republic of China. It names Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai, who are reportedly held for reasons related to peaceful expression or religion. The resolution calls for the President to raise these cases during future engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping, including an anticipated May 2026 summit. It also urges the President to seek verifiable proof of life, access to legal counsel, family communication, and medical care for these detainees.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 prohibits individuals and organizations from filing lawsuits or seeking damages against energy companies for alleged harms caused by climate change or greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation declares that regulating emissions is exclusively a federal responsibility and voids any state laws that attempt to hold energy businesses liable for past or future environmental damage. Consequently, the bill bars courts from hearing these cases and requires any pending lawsuits of this nature to be immediately dismissed. By defining "climate suits" broadly to include claims based on marketing or warnings, the law aims to prevent states from imposing financial penalties on the energy sector.

Maddy summaryThe Medication Competition Act requires the Food and Drug Administration to publish specific expiration dates for legal protections on biological drugs. This rule applies to both new drugs approved after the law passes and older drugs that received protection before the law was enacted. By making these timelines public, the bill aims to help generic drug makers know exactly when they can start selling their own versions of these medicines. The change does not alter the length of the protection periods themselves but increases transparency regarding when those periods end.

Maddy summaryThe FLEX Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to increase federal funding and flexibility for high-quality charter schools. It requires that at least 15 percent of Title IV funds go to charter schools, raising the previous requirement of 12.5 percent, and expands allowable uses of these funds to include new academic programs, personalized learning, and facility improvements. The bill also introduces advance payment options for grant recipients to help with planning and program design, while allowing states to use existing charter authorization applications to streamline the grant process. Additionally, the legislation directs the Secretary of Education to consult with charter school operators before issuing new rules and limits the number of non-essential regulations imposed on these schools.

Maddy summaryThe Sanctuary City Elimination Act defines "sanctuary jurisdictions" as states or local areas that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities, such as refusing to share immigration data or honor detention requests. If a jurisdiction is classified as a sanctuary, the bill prohibits it from receiving various federal grants, including funding for education, environmental protection, economic development, and community housing projects. The legislation also provides a legal mechanism allowing state attorneys general to sue in federal court to recover these funds if a sanctuary jurisdiction releases an immigrant who subsequently commits a crime in another state. Additionally, the bill grants local law enforcement the authority to act as federal agents when complying with immigration detainers and offers them immunity from liability in lawsuits related to those actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the IGO Anti-Boycott Act, amends the existing Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 to broaden its application. It expands the scope of the original act, which prohibits U.S. persons from complying with certain boycotts fostered by foreign countries, to now also include international governmental organizations (IGOs). This means the anti-boycott provisions will apply to boycotts fostered by IGOs in the same manner they apply to those from foreign countries. Additionally, the bill mandates the President to submit an annual report to Congress and the public, listing foreign countries and IGOs that foster or impose boycotts and describing those boycotts.