Sen. Jeff Merkley

Maddy summaryThe Restoring Renewable Energy Parity Act aims to reverse recent executive actions that restricted renewable energy development by directing federal agencies to stop certain investigations and cancel specific orders related to wind, solar, and geothermal projects. It mandates that the Secretary of Commerce halt a national security review of wind turbine imports and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to remove any barriers hindering renewable energy growth. Additionally, the bill prevents federal officials from issuing new documents that mimic the cancelled restrictions and ensures that pending mitigation agreements for energy facilities are approved within 30 days. The legislation also simplifies the process for securing federal permits by allowing the use of the IPaC Portal and establishes a rule where delayed responses to financial assistance applications are automatically treated as approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates federal regulations to strengthen protections against illegal fishing by targeting vessels flagged under nations that fail to verify a genuine connection to their owners. It requires the Secretary of Commerce to revise the legal definition of illegal fishing to align with specific standards from the Maritime SAFE Act within 90 days of enactment. Additionally, the law mandates that countries allowing vessels without a verified link between the nation and the vessel's beneficial owners be held accountable for not fulfilling their flag state responsibilities. These changes aim to ensure that foreign-flagged vessels operating in U.S. waters are subject to stricter oversight and enforcement measures.

Maddy summaryThe State Department Integrity and Transparency Act aims to ensure that senior U.S. foreign policy officials possess the necessary expertise and nonpartisan qualifications. It mandates that at least 75 percent of Assistant Secretaries of State have prior experience in senior foreign or executive service roles. The bill also requires detailed public reports on nominees' language skills and cultural knowledge, alongside disclosures of any campaign contributions received by nominees or their immediate families. Additionally, it limits the duration of special diplomatic appointments to a maximum of 90 days per year to prevent long-term placements without significant authority. These measures are designed to enhance the professionalism and transparency of the Department of State while protecting U.S. foreign policy interests.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to reject a specific federal rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the WISeR Model, which was designed to reduce wasteful spending by requiring prior authorization for select Medicare services. If passed, the measure would legally nullify the rule, preventing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from enforcing the new prior authorization requirements on healthcare providers. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and medical facilities that would otherwise have to comply with these administrative changes. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, the legislation aims to stop the implementation of the policy without altering the underlying statute governing Medicare.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates an interagency review by the Health and Human Services, Defense, and Veterans Affairs secretaries to accelerate research on lung cancer in women and underserved populations (including those eligible for screening per USPSTF guidelines). It requires evaluating existing research gaps, identifying collaborative opportunities for innovative studies (like environmental/genomic factors), developing a national screening strategy, and creating public education campaigns focused on early detection. The review must produce a comprehensive report to Congress within two years of enactment. The bill directly affects women and underserved groups at higher risk for lung cancer by targeting research, screening access, and awareness.

Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2026 prohibits any person or government entity from restricting, sanctioning, or discriminating against individuals who travel to another state to receive reproductive health care that is legal there. It also protects those who assist travelers and reproductive health care providers from facing penalties for offering services to out-of-state patients, effectively overriding any conflicting state laws. The bill establishes a private right of action allowing affected individuals, organizations, and providers to sue in federal or state court for violations, with provisions for damages and attorney's fees. Additionally, it removes state sovereign immunity defenses for officials enforcing laws that interfere with this travel right, ensuring federal courts can hear such cases directly.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life and legacy of Donald W. Riegle, Jr., a former U.S. Senator from Michigan who passed away in April 2026. The bill formally acknowledges his nearly three decades of public service, including his roles as a Representative and Senator, and highlights his significant contributions to legislation on banking, housing, and veterans' health. It also expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and directs officials to share the resolution with the House of Representatives and send a copy to Riegle's family. Finally, the Senate will stand in adjournment as a mark of respect for the former senator when the session concludes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the Senate's commitment to reducing traffic fatalities to zero by the year 2050. It calls on Congress and the Department of Transportation to collaborate on implementing proven safety measures, such as improving data collection, prioritizing countermeasures, and addressing disparities in transportation safety. The document also encourages the use of the term "crash" instead of "accident" to better describe traffic incidents. As a non-binding expression of sense, the bill does not create new laws but serves as a formal statement of policy goals for federal agencies.

Maddy summaryThe Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act creates a new funding program to hire more counselors, psychologists, and social workers for schools with high numbers of low-income students. These funds are distributed to states, which then award subgrants to local school districts to help them reach recommended staffing ratios of 250 students per counselor, 500 per psychologist, and 250 per social worker. To qualify for the money, states must match the federal grant with their own funds and submit detailed plans showing how they will prioritize high-need schools. The bill also requires regular reporting on how many mental health staff are hired and the current student-to-staff ratios in participating schools.

Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization This bill extends the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program for an additional five years. The program tests the feasibility of cost-based reimbursement under Medicare for small rural hospitals that are too large to qualify for special payment as critical access hospitals. The bill specifies that hospitals that participate in the program between December 30, 2024, and January 1, 2027, may continue to participate during the five-year extension period.