Sen. Alex Padilla

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 124) directs the President to remove U.S. military forces from Cuba unless Congress has declared war or specifically authorized military action against Cuba. It applies to all current operations in Cuba, including Coast Guard enforcement activities, which the resolution defines as "hostilities" under the War Powers Resolution. The bill asserts Congress holds the sole constitutional authority to authorize military force under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. It does not prevent defensive actions against imminent attacks or lawful counternarcotics operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would establish voting as a fundamental right for all citizens of legal voting age. It requires any government denial of this right to be narrowly tailored to serve a compelling interest, while also repealing specific language from the 14th Amendment related to voting rights. The amendment would grant Congress the authority to pass laws enforcing these protections against any denial or abridgment of the right to vote.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses support for library staff across public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States. It highlights the essential services libraries provide, such as equitable internet access, social support, and community resources, while calling for adequate funding at all government levels. The measure reaffirms the right of citizens to freely access information and explicitly supports the ability of library workers to unionize and collectively bargain. Additionally, it defends the civil rights of library staff against intimidation and censorship, noting recent challenges like book bans and the potential elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Maddy summaryThe Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the federal terrorism insurance program through 2034, ensuring continued government support for insurance companies facing large losses from terrorist attacks. The bill also updates the schedule for recouping federal funds, shifting the timeline for when insurers must repay taxpayer money to later dates ranging from 2029 to 2036. These changes directly affect insurance carriers and policyholders by maintaining the program's availability for a longer period and adjusting the financial obligations tied to it.

Maddy summaryThe Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 expands disaster relief assistance to individuals who lived in disaster areas but lacked formal proof of ownership or were not renting, including those who were homeless or stayed in temporary accommodations. It allows these eligible households to use federal funds to pay for obtaining property titles, such as costs for land surveys and associated taxes, by accepting a wide range of documents like utility bills, driver's licenses, and school records as evidence of their connection to the property. The bill also requires FEMA to create a simple, non-notarized form for applicants to self-certify their eligibility and mandates that the agency consult with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate temporary rental assistance programs for displaced residents. Additionally, the legislation amends existing disaster housing rules to focus on ensuring residences are habitable during long-term recovery and permits temporary housing if the President deems it a cost-effective alternative to other solutions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally acknowledges April as Community College Month to honor the role of over 1,000 institutions in providing affordable higher education and workforce training. The bill does not change any laws or allocate funding; instead, it serves as a symbolic statement recognizing how these colleges support economic prosperity and serve diverse student populations. By highlighting statistics on enrollment, tuition costs, and economic impact, the resolution aims to raise public awareness about the value of community colleges without imposing new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, aims to overturn a specific executive order by repealing it and prohibiting the use of federal funds to implement similar directives in the future. It directly affects the United States Postal Service, various federal agencies, and state election officials by restricting their ability to regulate mail-in ballots or create national citizenship lists for voting purposes. Key provisions ban federal agencies from sharing voter registration data, compel the Postal Service to continue delivering state-issued mail ballots without interference, and forbid the use of taxpayer money to enforce rules that would require states to adopt specific citizenship verification methods. The legislation seeks to preserve the current system where states manage their own election administration while the Postal Service delivers ballots, citing historical precedents and the high volume of mail-in voting used by Americans.

Maddy summaryThis resolution supports designating April 11-17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week." The designation aims to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States, specifically emphasizing the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people.

Maddy summaryThe Prison Libraries Act of 2026 directs the Attorney General to create a grant program for states and territories to improve library services for incarcerated individuals, aiming to support reintegration and reduce recidivism. To receive funding, applicants must submit a detailed plan that includes proof of an existing or planned physical library and data demonstrating a need for the services. The grants can be used for a wide range of activities such as hiring qualified librarians, providing digital and financial literacy training, offering art and cultural programs, and establishing partnerships with local public libraries. The legislation explicitly prohibits using the funds for general prison operations, staff salaries unrelated to libraries, or basic needs like food and healthcare. Additionally, the act authorizes $10 million annually from 2026 to 2031 and requires that no fees be charged to inmates for accessing books, computers, or educational materials.

Maddy summaryThe Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026 requires the Bureau of Prisons to create a Publication Review Committee to oversee which books are available in federal prisons. This committee, composed of librarians, incarcerated individuals, legal experts, and the federal prison ombudsman, must approve any decision to ban a book after reviewing the specific reasons provided by prison officials. The law explicitly forbids banning books simply because their viewpoints are unpopular or disagreeable, and it mandates that books remain accessible while appeals against their removal are being reviewed. Additionally, the Act requires the Bureau of Prisons to submit annual reports to Congress detailing every book that was prohibited and the outcomes of any related appeals.