Sen. Pete Ricketts

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of January 25-31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week" to recognize educational options for K-12 students. It encourages parents to learn about school choices and urges the public to host events raising awareness about diverse education environments, including public schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling. The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it is a ceremonial designation acknowledging existing annual events celebrating educational choice.

Maddy summaryThe SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2026 prohibits the FDA from approving new abortion drugs or granting investigational exemptions for them. It requires existing approved abortion drugs to be dispensed only in-person by certified healthcare providers in clinics or hospitals (not pharmacies), mandates providers to verify pregnancy duration and handle complications, and enforces strict adverse event reporting to the FDA. The bill directly affects healthcare providers prescribing abortion drugs, patients seeking these medications, and the FDA’s regulatory authority over such drugs. Key provisions include banning use after 70 days gestation, requiring provider certification for specific medical capabilities, and mandating documentation of risks to patients.

Maddy summarySRES 585 is a commemorative resolution honoring Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a former U.S. Senator from Colorado and the first Native American to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. It recognizes his military service, Olympic judo career, legislative work (including authoring the National Museum of the American Indian Act), and advocacy for tribal communities. The resolution has no policy impact - it formally expresses the Senate’s respect for his legacy, requests transmission to his family, and directs a moment of silence. It directly affects Campbell’s legacy and family, not any current policy or population. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with legislative provisions.)

This bill designates a portion of Interstate Route 680 in Omaha, Nebraska, as the Hal Daub Freeway. Harold John Daub Jr. served in the House of Representatives from 1981-1989 and as the mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, from 1995-2001.

Maddy summaryS 3650, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, requires physicians performing abortions on minors traveling across state lines to provide 24 hours of "actual notice" (in person or in writing) to a parent before the procedure, or "constructive notice" (via certified mail) if actual notice isn't possible. The bill directly affects minors under 18 (not emancipated), their parents, and physicians in states where the minor resides but the abortion is performed. Key exceptions include life-threatening medical emergencies, court waivers for parental notification, documented child abuse, or when a parent accompanies the minor. Violations could lead to fines or imprisonment for those transporting minors to bypass parental involvement laws or physicians failing to comply with notification rules.

Maddy summaryS 3632 creates two new federal tax credits to incentivize renewable chemical production: a 15% production credit per pound of qualifying chemicals sold (Section 45BB) and a 30% investment credit for facilities producing them (Section 48F). The bill directly affects U.S. manufacturers meeting strict criteria: chemicals must be 95% biobased, USDA-certified, produced domestically from renewable biomass, and used as chemical intermediates (not for food, fuel, or pharmaceuticals). Credits are limited to $500 million nationally and $25 million per company, with allocations prioritizing job creation, reduced fossil fuel dependence, and sustainability metrics. Both credits expire after five years from enactment.

Maddy summaryS 3616, the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act, amends the Federal Credit Union Act to allow federal credit unions to offer loans with terms up to 20 years (previously capped at 15 years), subject to regulatory approval by the National Credit Union Administration. The bill also clarifies that properties used as collateral must be the principal residence of a credit union member. This change directly affects federal credit unions and their members by potentially expanding loan options for longer-term financing. The amendment modifies existing lending rules without creating new programs or altering eligibility criteria beyond the term length and residence requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes U.S. immigration law to make certain fraud convictions deportable without requiring a minimum fraud loss amount. It targets immigrants (aliens) convicted of fraud against any private individual, fund, corporation, or government entity, removing the previous threshold for deportation. It also adds provisions to revoke citizenship for naturalized citizens convicted of such fraud crimes, requiring courts to cancel their naturalization certificates. The changes apply to fraud committed on or after September 30, 1996, if not previously charged before the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SRES 573), not a legislative bill, expressing the Senate's position on U.S. leadership in religious freedom. It reaffirms the U.S. commitment to promoting religious freedom globally, encourages the Secretary of State to use diplomatic tools to address foreign violations, and supports existing roles like the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. The resolution does not create new laws or change policies but serves as a symbolic statement urging continued U.S. engagement on this issue. It directly affects U.S. diplomatic efforts and messaging toward countries with religious freedom concerns, such as China and Nicaragua, as cited in the resolution's background.

Maddy summarySRES 547 is a Senate resolution expressing strong support for the U.S.-Japan alliance amid recent tensions with China. It condemns China's economic, military, and diplomatic pressure on Japan - including actions like blocking cultural events, suspending trade, and naval incursions - and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to the security treaty covering the Senkaku Islands. The resolution commends Japan's stance against unilateral changes to regional stability, particularly regarding the Taiwan Strait, and supports Japan's increased defense spending to enhance regional deterrence. It directly affects U.S. diplomatic relations with Japan and China, reinforcing alliance unity without proposing new laws or funding.