Sen. Mark R. Warner

Maddy summaryThis bill provides back pay to federal employees, military personnel, and certain contractors who lost compensation due to a government funding lapse during the period from October 1, 2025, through the bill's enactment date. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover "standard employee compensation" (including base pay, allowances, and benefits) for all covered individuals during the shutdown period, requiring agencies to distribute payments within 7 days of enactment. The funds may only be used for this specific purpose and cannot be redirected to other agency needs. The pay is retroactive to September 30, 2025, treating affected individuals as if they had received full pay continuously during the shutdown.

Maddy summaryThe TREATS Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow telehealth evaluations as an alternative to in-person medical evaluations for prescribing certain controlled substances. Specifically, it permits one telehealth evaluation (conducted via real-time audio/video systems meeting Social Security Act standards) instead of an in-person visit when prescribing FDA-approved medications for substance use disorder treatment (schedules III-V). This directly affects healthcare providers who prescribe these medications, expanding their ability to use telehealth for initial patient assessments. The change maintains the requirement for at least one evaluation (either in-person or telehealth) while updating the process to include telehealth options for this specific treatment context.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures federal employees, contractors, and military personnel affected by a government shutdown starting October 1, 2025, receive their regular pay and benefits during the shutdown period. It appropriates funds to cover standard pay, allowances, and benefits for "covered individuals" until appropriations are enacted (the "termination date"). The bill also prohibits agencies from implementing layoffs or placing employees on administrative leave for more than 10 workdays during the shutdown. It applies retroactively to September 30, 2025, and charges the costs to future appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the existing authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to use counter-unmanned aircraft systems (counter-UAS) for security purposes. It amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 by changing the expiration date of these authorities from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2028. The extension directly affects DHS and DOJ operations involving drone detection, monitoring, and mitigation capabilities. No new policies or funding are created - only the timeline for current authorities is extended.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 1, 2025, as "Energy Efficiency Day" to recognize the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency. It celebrates private sector innovation and federal energy efficiency policies, referencing historical achievements like over 80 quadrillion BTUs in energy savings and $1 trillion in annual cost avoidance. The resolution has no binding provisions and is purely ceremonial, calling for public observance through programs and activities. It does not create new laws or directly affect any specific groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal financial regulators (like the Fed and CFPB) to issue guidance within 180 days of enactment, directing banks and lenders to assist consumers and businesses affected by government shutdowns. It defines affected groups as furloughed federal employees, DC workers without pay, or contractors facing income loss due to shutdowns. The guidance mandates lenders to help these groups with loan modifications, prevent credit score harm from temporary payment difficulties, and avoid reporting modified loans negatively. Regulators must also issue a public alert at shutdown start and submit a post-shutdown effectiveness report to Congress within 90 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date for cybersecurity information sharing authorities under the 2015 law from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2035. It directly affects organizations and government entities that share cybersecurity threat information under the existing framework. The key provision amends Section 111(a) of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 to update the deadline, with retroactive effect starting October 1, 2025. The bill also updates the law's title to "Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act" for consistency.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides temporary relief to federal workers during government shutdowns by pausing specific civil obligations. It directly affects federal employees (including contractor employees) who are furloughed or working without pay, suspending actions like evictions, mortgage foreclosures, student loan collections, tax payments, and insurance lapses during the shutdown and for 30 days afterward. Key mechanisms include court-ordered stays for rent, mortgages, and loans; automatic student loan deferment; tax payment deferrals; and protection against insurance policy termination due to unpaid premiums. The relief applies only to civil matters (not criminal cases or child support) and requires court involvement for certain actions.

Maddy summaryS 2977, the FAST Justice Act, creates a 120-day timeline for the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to act on federal employee appeals. If the MSPB fails to take action within 120 days (excluding certain cases), affected federal employees or job applicants can file a civil lawsuit in federal court. The bill specifies where these lawsuits may be filed - based on where the personnel action occurred, where the employee would have worked, or the agency's main office - and ensures courts use the standard review applicable to MSPB decisions. This procedural change directly affects federal workers whose appeals are stalled at the MSPB, aiming to expedite resolution of personnel disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows federal contractors, their employees, and certain federal grant recipients or District of Columbia government workers affected by government shutdowns to withdraw up to $30,000 (adjusted for inflation) from retirement plans without the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. Withdrawals must be repaid within three years to avoid tax consequences, and the withdrawn amount is spread over three years for tax purposes. It specifically applies during periods of federal appropriations lapses (at least two weeks) when workers face unpaid leave or reduced pay. The bill modifies tax rules to treat these distributions as eligible for penalty-free access under defined circumstances.