Maddy summaryThe Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that certain federal employees who must work during government shutdowns - such as those in national security or emergency roles, plus their supporting contractors - receive wages during funding gaps. It directs agencies to use unspent Treasury funds to pay these "excepted employees" for work performed when no appropriations are in effect, covering periods until new funding is enacted. Payments end automatically when either full-year appropriations are passed or a continuing resolution without such funding is enacted. All costs are later charged to the agency’s next regular budget, avoiding new appropriations. This directly affects federal workers designated as essential during shutdowns, not the general public.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill would amend federal law to allow qualified prosecutors and federal judges to carry concealed firearms under specific conditions. To qualify, they must provide agency-issued photographic identification plus certification that they've met firearms training standards established by their state or agency. The bill defines "qualified prosecutor" as a full-time criminal case prosecutor who meets certain professional and training requirements, and "qualified Federal judge" as a serving judge without pending disciplinary actions or substance use issues. Similar requirements apply to retired prosecutors and judges who meet service and training criteria. This would expand the current law that allows qualified law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 442) formally condemns recent Russian military incursions into NATO member countries' airspace, citing specific incidents in Poland, Romania, and Estonia during September 2025. It also condemns Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and its refusal to negotiate an end to the war. The resolution reaffirms NATO's Article 5 commitment to collective defense, emphasizing that attacks on any member are considered attacks on all. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's support for NATO allies facing these threats.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 438) condemns Hamas for the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people - including 40 U.S. citizens - and took 251 hostages. It supports an outcome ensuring Israel’s "forever survival," destroying Hamas’s ability to regroup, and securing the release of all remaining hostages, including two U.S. citizens held in Gaza. The resolution also condemns antisemitic protests in the U.S. that damaged property and threatened Jewish Americans’ safety. As a non-binding Senate resolution, it expresses symbolic support for U.S. policy toward Israel but does not create new laws or allocate funds. It directly affects U.S. diplomatic positioning on the Israel-Hamas conflict and hostage negotiations.
Maddy summarySRES 434 is a resolution expressing the U.S. Senate's support for designating October 5-11, 2025, as "National 4-H Week." It recognizes the 4-H youth development program - which serves nearly 6 million young people nationwide through hands-on learning in health, science, and leadership - as a key initiative of the Cooperative Extension System and the Department of Agriculture. The resolution does not create new laws or impose requirements but symbolically acknowledges 4-H's role in empowering youth with leadership skills and community engagement opportunities.
Maddy summarySRES 426 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating October 5-11, 2025, as "Religious Education Week" to celebrate religious education in the United States. It affirms the importance of religious education for civic and moral development, highlights historical and legal precedents supporting religious instruction (like *Pierce v. Society of Sisters* and *Zorach v. Clauson*), and calls on all 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia to accommodate public school students participating in religious education through "released time" programs. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but symbolically recognizes existing religious education efforts, including those in sectarian schools and public school release-time programs. It directly affects public schools, religious education providers, and state education systems by urging them to support student access to religious instruction.
Maddy summaryThe PAAF Act automatically grants U.S. citizenship to internationally adopted children of U.S. citizen parents who were adopted before age 18 and were living in the U.S. under lawful admission before age 18. For adoptees living outside the U.S. but meeting these criteria, citizenship is granted upon lawful entry into the country. The bill exempts these individuals from standard immigration inadmissibility grounds (such as health or criminal issues) when entering, though they must pass a criminal background check. This applies only to adoptees who did not have U.S. citizenship before the bill's enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the limit for penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts for first-time homebuyers. It amends the tax code to raise the maximum amount from $10,000 to $50,000 per individual for qualified first-time homebuyer distributions. This change directly affects first-time homebuyers who need to access retirement savings to purchase a home without incurring early withdrawal penalties. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates a National Day of Remembrance for 13 U.S. service members who died in the Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul's airport on August 26, 2021. It also expresses the nation's deepest condolences to their families and commemorates their service during the Afghanistan withdrawal. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy or funding impact but formally honors these individuals' sacrifice through a designated day of remembrance.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of Credit Risk Management within the Small Business Administration to oversee the SBA's 504 loan program. It requires the Office to supervise certified development companies (CDCs), conduct random file reviews of loan closings, and enforce compliance through fees and penalties for violations. The Office must also submit annual risk reports to Congress detailing portfolio performance, enforcement actions, and financial metrics. These changes directly affect CDCs managing SBA 504 loans and aim to strengthen program integrity through enhanced oversight and reporting.