Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith

Maddy summaryThe Habitat Enhancement Now Act establishes two competitive grant programs to improve nesting success for migratory waterfowl. It provides $3.5 million annually (2026-2030) for eligible entities - such as state governments, nonprofits, or private landowners - to implement specific habitat improvements. The first program funds strategic placement of hen houses (nesting structures) in the prairie pothole region, while the second targets California to create nesting cover, brood ponds, and incentivize landowners. These grants directly support conservation efforts for species like mallards and gadwalls by addressing documented habitat loss impacting breeding success.

Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act This act permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. Under the act, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues (e.g., offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term). Additionally, the act establishes a new, alternative registration process for certain schedule I research. The act also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances, waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration. Finally, the act expresses the sense that Congress agrees with the interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act in United States v. McCray , a 2018 case decided by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. In that case, the court held that butyryl fentanyl, a controlled substance, can be considered an analogue of fentanyl even though, under the Controlled Substances Act, the term controlled substance analogue specifically excludes a controlled substance.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the minting of commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2034 Salt Lake City Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It specifies four coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, half-dollar, and proof silver $1) with defined quantities and designs reflecting U.S. athletic participation. A surcharge on each coin sale (e.g., $35 for $5 coins) funds the respective Olympic committees' legacy programs, including youth sports initiatives. The coins are legal tender but intended solely for commemoration, with surcharges directed to the organizing committees after covering minting costs.

Maddy summaryThe Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025 provides a legal process for survivors of human trafficking who were convicted of certain federal crimes to have their convictions vacated or arrests expunged. It allows survivors to file motions with courts to prove their crimes were directly related to their trafficking victimization, requiring courts to consider evidence from anti-human trafficking service providers. The law establishes a "human trafficking defense" in criminal cases, permitting survivors to argue they committed crimes under duress from trafficking. Additionally, it mandates reporting on implementation and tracks how many survivors access this relief through the courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores a rule limiting tax deductions for gambling losses to the amount of gambling winnings. It affects individuals and businesses engaged in wagering activities, such as sports betting or casino gambling. The key provision requires that losses from wagering transactions can only offset gains from those same transactions, eliminating deductions for excess losses. The rule applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThe SAWMILL Act establishes a $220 million loan guarantee program for rural sawmills and wood-processing facilities. It provides guarantees to eligible entities (like sawmill operators) located within 250 miles of federally designated "high priority" lands needing ecological restoration through vegetation removal. The program requires that the facility's presence must substantially lower the cost of these restoration projects, as determined by the Agriculture Secretary. This directly affects rural wood-processing businesses and federal land management efforts focused on ecological restoration. The loan guarantees are limited to $220 million total and require coordination between the Agriculture and Interior Departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes two existing federal diabetes programs through 2027. It provides $160 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for the Special Diabetes Program for Type I Diabetes (serving people with Type I diabetes) and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (serving Native American communities through Indian Health Services). A final $40 million is allocated for October-December 2027 for both programs, with all funds remaining available until expended. The bill extends current funding levels without changing program eligibility or structure.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 308) formally honors Frederick W. Smith, founder of FedEx, for his military service (including combat in Vietnam), pioneering business leadership, and dedication to Memphis, Tennessee. It recognizes his role in revolutionizing global logistics and his community contributions through FedEx's operations and philanthropy. The resolution directs the Senate to transmit a copy to his family and share it with the House of Representatives. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents.

Maddy summarySRES 307 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing support for U.S. and Israeli military strikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities on June 21, 2025 (Operation Midnight Hammer). It states the Senate opposes Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and commends the military actions taken to degrade Iran's nuclear program. The resolution does not create new laws, impose requirements, or directly affect any individuals or entities. It serves solely as a symbolic expression of congressional backing for the strikes, referencing specific operations and Iran's nuclear activities as context.

Maddy summaryThe STOP CSAM Act of 2025 strengthens protections for child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation by expanding definitions of abuse to include psychological abuse and kidnapping, and by imposing new reporting requirements on internet service providers. The bill requires providers with over 1 million monthly users to report apparent child sexual abuse material to the CyberTipline within 60 days, with penalties for noncompliance including fines up to $1 million for large providers. It creates new civil remedies allowing victims to sue providers who host or promote child pornography, and establishes protections for "covered persons" (children under 18 who are victims or witnesses) by limiting public disclosure of their personal information. The bill also enhances law enforcement's ability to investigate online child exploitation while maintaining privacy safeguards for victims.