Sen. Cory A. Booker

Maddy summaryThis bill updates federal laws to ensure that members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force cannot be excluded from jobs or assignments based on their gender. It requires the Department of Defense to establish occupational standards using scientifically rigorous methods that evaluate technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical abilities without gender bias. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports to Congress detailing any involuntary reclassifications or separations and requires a detailed review of the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units. These changes are scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2026, with the first required report due the following year.

Maddy summaryThe ASSET Act prohibits states from using asset limits to determine eligibility for several federally funded assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP, LIHEAP, and Supplemental Security Income. By removing these financial thresholds, the bill aims to allow low-income families to save money and build financial stability without risking their benefits. Additionally, the legislation updates the resource limit for SSI recipients to $20,000 for individuals and $10,000 for couples in 2026, with future increases tied to inflation. While the bill generally eliminates these limits, it includes a grace period for states that must pass their own laws to comply with the new rules.

Maddy summaryThe Audit the Pentagon Act requires the Department of Defense to reduce its funding by 2 percent if it fails to receive a clean financial audit for a given year. This penalty applies to all departments, agencies, and elements within the Pentagon starting after fiscal year 2024. The withheld money is distributed proportionally across various programs and projects, while the remaining funds are sent to the Treasury to help reduce the national deficit.

Maddy summaryThe Tracking Plastic Act of 2026 creates a Federal working group to develop recommendations for tracking recycled plastic content across various industries. This group will include representatives from federal agencies, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders, with the National Institute of Standards and Technology leading the effort. The working group is tasked with proposing standardized measurements for data collection, designing a federal tracking system to help align state requirements, and considering ways to improve trade data clarity and monitor toxic chemicals in recycled plastics. The group must submit annual reports to Congress and will operate for up to ten years until it completes its duties.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to officially reject a rule proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the Child Care and Development Fund. If passed, the measure would prevent the new regulations from taking effect, thereby maintaining the previous rules governing how federal child care funds are administered. The bill directly impacts families and organizations that rely on CCDF subsidies for child care assistance by blocking the specific administrative changes outlined in the disputed rule. By exercising its authority under the Congressional Review Act, Congress aims to ensure the proposed flexibility measures do not alter the current structure of child care funding.

Maddy summaryThe Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2026 directs the Food and Drug Administration to update federal food labeling rules to provide clearer nutritional and ingredient information for consumers. Key provisions require front-of-package icons to highlight high levels of added sugars, sodium, or saturated fat, mandate specific disclosures for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and yogurt, and restrict the use of terms like "natural" and "non-ultraprocessed" unless they are clearly defined. The bill also introduces new requirements for online food sales, ensuring that detailed nutrition facts and ingredient lists are available before purchase, while expanding allergen labeling to include gluten-containing grains and updating definitions for artificial ingredients. Manufacturers will be required to submit label data to a public database, and the law sets a three-year timeline for these new regulations to take effect.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Drive in Willingboro, New Jersey, as the "James A. Cotten Post Office".

Maddy summaryThe Green New Deal for Health Act establishes a comprehensive federal framework to address the intersection of climate change and public health by creating new offices, expanding funding, and mandating specific actions across the health care sector. It directly affects hospitals, health care providers, medical manufacturers, health professions schools, and communities identified as environmentally or medically underserved. Key provisions include establishing an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity to develop a national strategic action plan, requiring hospitals to provide detailed notifications and mitigation plans before discontinuing services or closing, and offering grants to modernize medical facilities for climate resilience. The bill also mandates that the health care sector disclose climate risks associated with medical supplies, expands Medicare coverage for home resiliency services like heat pumps for vulnerable patients, and allocates billions in funding to train health workers on climate-related health risks. Additionally, the legislation creates a research initiative to study climate impacts on health and establishes requirements for green, zero-emission medical manufacturing and supply chains.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth National Independence Day to honor the 1865 announcement of freedom to enslaved people in Texas and the Southwestern States. The bill serves as a formal recognition of this historical event and does not create new laws or change federal holidays. It aims to support nationwide celebrations and encourage learning about the history of slavery and emancipation in the United States.

Maddy summaryThe PEACE in Sudan Act establishes a comprehensive framework to address the ongoing conflict in Sudan by mandating detailed reports on foreign involvement, human rights violations, and the financial assets of armed groups. It requires the Secretary of State to develop a diplomatic strategy to end the war, assess potential terrorist designations for certain actors, and impose sanctions on individuals and entities supporting the conflict or obstructing peace efforts. The legislation also restricts U.S. foreign assistance to Sudan, prohibiting funding for government institutions or debt relief unless a national security waiver is granted, while allowing exceptions for lifesaving humanitarian aid. Additionally, the bill extends the tenure of the Special Envoy for Sudan and directs the U.S. to coordinate with international partners to enforce an arms embargo and hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable.