Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Maddy summaryThe ALS Better Care Act amends Medicare to cover a specific set of ALS-related services - including specialized physician support, therapy, equipment coordination, and respiratory care - for patients diagnosed with ALS, starting January 1, 2027. Medicare will pay providers a single, annual amount per patient visit (beginning at $800 in 2027), adjusted yearly based on cost increases or recommendations from the Comptroller General. The bill also requires a report on challenges in funding and staffing ALS clinical trials to improve research progress. This addresses current low Medicare reimbursements that have caused long wait times and limited care access for ALS patients.

Maddy summaryThe Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026 creates a federal grant program to help nursing schools address faculty shortages by supplementing salaries. Nursing schools applying for grants must submit detailed salary data comparing clinical nurse pay to current faculty pay (adjusted for inflation), then receive funding to cover the difference for eligible faculty - those who previously worked in clinical practice or are new hires. Grants last up to three years ($15 million annually from 2027-2031) and require schools to maintain the salary supplement level throughout the grant period. Priority is given to schools in health professional shortage areas, serving vulnerable populations, or focusing on underrepresented faculty. The program requires schools to demonstrate plans for sustaining salary support after the grant ends.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCONRES 26) affirms U.S. respect for Greenland’s sovereignty and Denmark’s territorial integrity, directly addressing concerns about recent U.S. statements suggesting potential military acquisition of Greenland. It mandates that any change to Greenland’s status or U.S. military action involving Greenland must comply with treaty obligations and receive congressional authorization. The resolution emphasizes strengthening U.S. cooperation with Denmark and Greenland through diplomacy and alliance-based engagement, rather than coercion. It also states that Arctic security is best maintained through allied cooperation, not unilateral actions, reaffirming U.S. commitment to NATO principles. As a symbolic resolution, it expresses Congress’s policy stance without creating new legal requirements.

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.)

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 3624 (NATO UP Act), restricts U.S. government spending to prevent unilateral military actions against NATO allies' territories. It prohibits using Defense Department funds for blocking, occupying, annexing, or controlling a NATO ally's sovereign territory - except with that ally's consent or North Atlantic Council authorization. Similarly, State Department funds cannot support plans for such actions without authorization. The bill explicitly allows U.S. defense against armed attacks or imminent threats. It directly affects Pentagon and State Department budgeting and planning for military operations involving NATO members.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the income threshold for the refundable child tax credit from $3,000 to $1 in the Internal Revenue Code. It directly affects low-income working families with children who previously earned above $3,000 but now qualify under the new $1 threshold. The key change simplifies eligibility, allowing more families to receive the credit, and takes effect for tax years starting after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and updates the National Landslide Preparedness Act through 2030, focusing on improving landslide risk management. It adds new definitions for "atmospheric river" and "extreme precipitation event" to better assess landslide risks, requiring the Secretary to evaluate these hazards in national strategy reports. The bill increases funding to $35 million annually (with $10 million specifically for landslide early warning systems in high-risk areas) and expands consultation to include Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and institutions of higher education. It mandates regional partnerships for localized landslide research and requires updated risk assessments for communities affected by weather events that trigger landslides.

Maddy summaryThe National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes and updates the federal program to reduce earthquake risks, explicitly including Tribal governments in program requirements. Key provisions require seismic evaluations for high-risk buildings, improve earthquake early warning systems, and provide technical assistance to state and local governments for building retrofits. The bill authorizes $10.59 million annually for the program, $100.9 million for the US Geological Survey, and $58 million for the National Science Foundation through 2028. This legislation directly affects federal agencies, state and local governments, Tribal governments, and communities in earthquake-prone areas by strengthening earthquake resilience measures and response planning.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and honors the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and Capitol staff (including custodial, janitorial, and maintenance personnel) who protected the building during the assault. It recognizes their bravery in defending Congress during the attack, which injured over 100 officers and contributed to five officer deaths, and acknowledges their ongoing essential work in maintaining Capitol operations. The resolution expresses Senate gratitude for their service and reaffirms commitment to protecting democratic processes. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThe Closing the Contraception Coverage Gap Act requires Medicare Part B, Part C, and Part D to cover all FDA-approved contraceptive items and services at no cost-sharing starting January 1, 2027. This includes not just contraceptive methods themselves but also related clinical services like counseling, examinations, device insertion, and follow-up care. The bill ensures dual-eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries receive contraceptive coverage that matches Medicaid's comprehensiveness. It also mandates two studies on contraceptive coverage gaps, with reports to Congress within 1-2 years.