Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage to include audiology services (hearing and balance assessments, and treatment starting in 2027) for beneficiaries. It allows qualified audiologists to provide these services directly without requiring a physician referral or supervision, beginning January 1, 2027. Medicare will pay 80% of the lesser of the actual charge or the fee schedule amount for these services, and audiologists will be recognized as eligible providers in certain clinics. The changes apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySRES 266 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating May 2025 as "ALS Awareness Month" to highlight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about ALS, which affects nerve cells and leads to muscle weakness, paralysis, and respiratory failure. The resolution affirms the Senate’s commitment to supporting access to treatments, advancing research to identify causes, and reducing burdens on individuals with ALS and their caregivers. It specifically commends family members, researchers, and organizations working to improve care and find cures for the estimated 10,000+ people living with ALS in the U.S. at any given time. This resolution has no direct impact on policy or resources but serves as a formal recognition of ALS awareness efforts.

Maddy summaryThe Nutrition CARE Act of 2025 (S 1971) expands Medicare Part B coverage to include medical nutrition therapy for beneficiaries with eating disorders, starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with eating disorders, including those from historically underserved groups like Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who face significant treatment gaps. The bill amends Medicare law to cover 13 hours of initial medical nutrition therapy (including a 1-hour assessment) and 4 hours annually for ongoing management, provided by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals following a referral from a physician or psychologist. This change addresses a current gap where Medicare did not cover outpatient medical nutrition therapy for eating disorders, aligning coverage with established treatment guidelines.

Maddy summaryThe Working Waterfronts Act of 2025 provides financial support to coastal communities and industries through multiple programs. It creates a tax credit for hydroelectric facilities that improve fish passage and water quality, offers Department of Agriculture loans and grants for fishing and mariculture businesses, and establishes grants to support rural seafood processing infrastructure. The bill also includes a working waterfronts preservation grant program to protect areas used by commercial fishing, mariculture, and boatbuilding industries, and creates a maritime workforce grant program to support training and education. These provisions directly affect commercial fishing businesses, seafood processors, coastal communities, and maritime workers.

Maddy summaryThe OCTOPUS Act of 2025 prohibits the commercial farming and trade of octopuses in the United States. It bans permits for farming octopuses for human consumption in U.S. waters, exclusive economic zones, and territorial waters, and prohibits importing or reexporting commercially farmed octopus. Importers must certify that octopus products are not farmed, with civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation for noncompliance. Exceptions apply only for accredited aquariums, breeding programs, or scientific research, not for general commercial use.

Maddy summaryThe SEPSIS Act establishes a dedicated sepsis program within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve prevention, detection, and treatment of sepsis in hospitals. It requires hospitals to adopt evidence-based sepsis protocols (like the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements), report on their implementation, and supports pediatric sepsis data collection. The bill authorizes $20 million annually from 2026-2030 to fund CDC efforts, including annual reports to Congress on hospital adoption rates, pediatric sepsis reduction, and a voluntary "honor roll" program recognizing top-performing hospitals. This directly affects hospitals through reporting requirements and CDC through new program responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 255) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring former U.S. Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri, who died on May 13, 2025. It recognizes his 40+ years of public service, including his roles as Missouri Governor (1973-1977, 1981-1985) and U.S. Senator (1987-2011). The resolution directs the Senate to adjourn briefly as a mark of respect and transmit a copy to his family. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely commemorative.

Maddy summaryThe Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 amends the law governing deposits into the Crime Victims Fund, adding two new sources: funds from declined criminal prosecutions (without conviction) and certain False Claims Act recoveries (from 2025 through 2030). It specifically excludes two types of False Claims Act funds from these deposits: payments to whistleblowers (qui tam plaintiffs) and reimbursements for government fraud damages. This bill directly affects the Crime Victims Fund, which provides support to victims of crime, and adjusts how federal agencies handle False Claims Act cases. The changes aim to modify the fund's funding sources without altering the False Claims Act itself.

Maddy summaryS 1918, the Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025, creates a new federal tax credit for expenses related to access technology for blind individuals. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $2,000 per 3-year period for qualified hardware, software, or IT tools that convert visual information into accessible formats for themselves, their spouse, or a blind dependent. The credit amount adjusts annually for inflation starting in 2026 and expires after 2030. This policy directly affects taxpayers who pay for such technology for blind family members, reducing their tax liability for these qualifying expenses.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 239) is a symbolic Senate statement reaffirming the U.S.-Canada partnership, emphasizing their deep economic and security ties. It highlights key areas like $1 trillion in annual bilateral trade supporting millions of jobs, shared border security efforts (including fentanyl combat and infrastructure), and energy cooperation (Canada as top U.S. energy supplier). The resolution does not create new laws but formally recognizes this relationship as essential to both nations' security, prosperity, and shared democratic values. It underscores collaboration on supply chains, Arctic security, and defense through existing frameworks like NORAD.