Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Maddy summaryThis bill would fundamentally change how Supreme Court justices are appointed and how long they serve by establishing a fixed schedule of biennial appointments. Under the new rules, the President could only nominate one justice every two years, specifically within the first 120 days of their term or following a rejected nomination, ensuring that the total number of justices hearing appellate cases never exceeds nine. Additionally, the legislation sets a 14-year term limit for each justice, meaning their service would end automatically when their term expires rather than continuing for life. These changes aim to reduce the impact of single appointments on the court's composition for decades while maintaining the current nine-justice quorum for most cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands existing rules to prevent foreign nationals from influencing U.S. elections by tightening restrictions on domestic businesses that are owned or controlled by foreign interests. It requires companies with significant foreign ownership or control to file a sworn certification confirming they are not foreign entities before making any political contributions or spending money on election activities. Additionally, the law prohibits recipients of these funds from using them for further political spending unless they receive and verify the original certification, while also clarifying that these rules apply to state and local ballot measures as well as corporate political committees.

Maddy summaryThe Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026 establishes comprehensive standards for the treatment, care, and placement of noncitizen children in immigration custody, primarily affecting the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services. Key provisions include a prohibition on separating children from their parents or guardians unless there is clear and convincing evidence of an imminent threat, alongside requirements for rapid family reunification and the elimination of family detention facilities. The bill mandates that children be housed in state-licensed facilities that provide trauma-informed care, adequate medical and educational services, and access to legal representation, while also phasing out large congregate care settings in favor of family-based placements. Furthermore, it creates an independent Office of the Ombudsperson to monitor compliance, investigates age assessments that ban invasive medical procedures, and enforces strict data privacy rules to prevent information from custody cases from being used in immigration removal proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution formally recognizes the significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men in the United States. The document cites data showing that Black women earn roughly 65 cents for every dollar earned by white men and highlights how this disparity impacts their ability to support families and accumulate wealth. By referencing existing laws like the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act, the bill reaffirms Congress's support for equal pay for equal work without proposing new legislation or policy changes. Ultimately, the measure serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the economic challenges faced by Black women due to dual discrimination based on race and gender.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Senate Legal Counsel to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Senate to enforce the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the President from accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments without Congressional approval. The bill specifically targets alleged violations by President Donald J. Trump, citing instances such as accepting a refurbished aircraft from Qatar, cryptocurrency investments from foreign-linked entities, and real estate deals in various countries that generated income for the President and his family. By seeking a court injunction, the measure aims to stop the President from accepting these specific benefits unless Congress provides its consent.

Maddy summaryThe Social Security 2100 Act proposes significant changes to the U.S. retirement system, aiming to strengthen benefits, consolidate the trust fund, and improve service delivery. To directly affect current and future beneficiaries, the bill increases monthly payments for low earners, adjusts cost-of-living calculations to better reflect inflation, and extends eligibility for children in college. It also introduces new credits for caregivers, removes waiting periods for some disability claims, and allows higher earnings to count toward future benefits. To fund these enhancements, the legislation repeals the cap on taxable wages for Social Security taxes and creates a single, unified Social Security Trust Fund. Finally, the act mandates stricter data privacy protections, prohibits the wrongful invalidation of Social Security numbers, and requires the agency to maintain a robust workforce and keep field offices open.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park, a unit of the National Park System, to honor philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools that educated over 600,000 African American children in the segregated South from 1912 to 1932. The park would include three restored schools (in Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia) and a visitor center in Chicago, Illinois, to preserve these sites and share their history through exhibits and educational programs. It also creates a national network to connect remaining Rosenwald Schools, enabling coordinated interpretation and resource-sharing across the country.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 2026 as "Plastic Pollution Action Month" to raise awareness about the environmental and health risks associated with plastic waste. The bill recognizes that plastic pollution harms marine life and human health, citing statistics on ocean contamination and the presence of microplastics in the human body. It encourages all individuals in the United States to participate in activities aimed at reducing plastic use and cleaning up litter during the designated month. The measure does not create new laws or regulations but serves to highlight the issue and promote voluntary action.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive sanctions framework targeting the Russian government and its affiliated entities in response to ongoing military actions. It authorizes the President to block assets, revoke visas, and prohibit financial transactions for Russian officials, military leaders, and foreign persons supporting Russia's defense industry or undermining Ukraine. The legislation also bans U.S. investments in Russian energy sectors, prohibits the purchase of Russian sovereign debt, and imposes high tariffs on Russian imports while restricting crude oil purchases by specific foreign nations. Additionally, the bill prevents Russian companies from listing on U.S. stock exchanges and includes mechanisms for terminating sanctions only if Russia signs a peace agreement accepted by Ukraine and ceases hostilities.