Maddy summaryThe Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026 requires states to provide foster youth aged 14 and older with free access to their health and education records, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and credit reports at the time of each placement or at least once every 12 months. The bill also mandates that these young people receive personalized transition plans covering housing, healthcare, education, and employment, along with information on how to enroll in medical assistance and designate a healthcare decision-maker. Additionally, the law requires caseworkers to inform youth about available services during meetings and hearings, and it establishes a formal list of rights for foster youth that must be explained to them annually with a signed acknowledgment. These changes aim to ensure that older foster children have the necessary documents and information to navigate their lives independently as they age out of the system.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates May 2026 as National Foster Care Month to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the approximately 331,747 children currently in the U.S. foster care system. The bill highlights key issues such as high rates of placement instability, educational disruptions, and the specific needs of youth aging out of care without permanent family connections. While the measure does not create new laws or funding, it formally encourages Congress to implement policies that support family reunification, prevent unnecessary entries into the system, and improve outcomes for foster youth. Additionally, the resolution establishes May 31, 2026, as National Foster Parent Appreciation Day to honor the caregivers and social workers who support these children.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers across the United States. The measure formally recognizes the service and sacrifices of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers, including those who have died in the line of duty during 2025 and early 2026. By invoking existing federal authority, the bill encourages the public and government agencies to observe this week by acknowledging the essential mission of police work and supporting officer safety. The resolution also expresses condolences to the families of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and reaffirms support for communities served by law enforcement.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the President to make the release of five specific individuals detained in China a priority during future meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The bill focuses on Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Jimmy Lai, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Ekpar Asat, who are described as being held without fair trials or access to medical care. It urges the President to seek proof that these detainees are alive and have access to legal counsel, family contact, and necessary medical treatment. The measure reflects a bipartisan commitment to defending political and religious freedoms and addresses these cases as part of broader U.S. diplomatic relations with China.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to extend the authority for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This section allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect foreign intelligence information from non-U.S. persons located outside the United States. The bill changes the current expiration date of this authority from two years after the enactment of a related act to April 20, 2029, thereby extending its operation for approximately three years.
Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Kempthorne, a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. It formally acknowledges his public service across various roles, including his work on environmental conservation, veterans' support, and economic development in Idaho. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to his family. Additionally, the Senate stands in adjournment as a final mark of respect to his memory.
Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025 This bill expands whistleblower protections for employees of federal contractors and grant recipients to include the act of refusing to obey an unlawful order and to apply these protections to members of the intelligence community and other governmental employees. Current law protects employees of federal contractors or grant recipients from a reprisal (i.e., discharge, demotion, or discrimination) for disclosing evidence to Congress or another appropriate official of certain misconduct involving federal contracts, grants, or funds. The bill expands these protections to include an employee's refusal to obey an order that would require the employee to violate a law, rule, or regulation related to any contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant. The bill also specifies that these protections apply to employees of federal contractors or grant recipients who are current or former members of the intelligence community or employees of state, local, or tribal governments. Further, the bill specifies that these protections may not be waived in a predispute arbitration agreement and renders any such agreement unenforceable. The bill specifies that an executive branch official may not request a federal contractor or grant recipient to engage in a reprisal against a protected employee, and it authorizes federal agencies to propose disciplinary action against officials that do so.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, which is observed annually from May 6 to May 12, 2026. The measure recognizes the vital contributions of nurses to the healthcare system and encourages the public to acknowledge their role through ceremonies and activities during the designated week. While the bill does not create new laws or funding, it serves to honor the profession and highlight the importance of nursing in patient care and public health.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act, raises the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots from 65 to 67 years old. It allows airlines to voluntarily choose to keep a stricter limit of 70 years, but once they make that choice, they cannot lower it later. The law also ensures that pilots aged 60 and older must hold a specific type of medical certificate and prevents them from facing stricter medical checks solely because of their age, unless the Federal Aviation Administration determines it is necessary for safety. Additionally, the bill requires that any changes to pilot contracts or benefit plans needed to comply with these new age rules must be agreed upon by both the airline and the pilots' union representatives.
Maddy summaryThe PRESS Act amends federal law to make it illegal to manufacture or distribute specific equipment used to produce drugs if the seller knows it will be used for unlawful importation into the United States. This legislation targets items such as tableting machines, encapsulating machines, and gelatin capsules, extending criminal liability to manufacturers and distributors involved in the supply chain for illegal drug production. Violators of these provisions face potential fines and prison sentences ranging from ten to twenty years, depending on the type of chemical involved and the quantity of equipment. Additionally, the bill requires the United States Sentencing Commission to update federal sentencing guidelines to align with these new penalties.