Sen. Dan Sullivan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue detailed reports after major disasters when its Disaster Information Reporting System activates for at least 7 days. The reports must document outages in broadband, mobile services, and 911 systems, include public hearings with affected communities and providers, and recommend improvements to network resilience. It also directs the Office of Management and Budget to reclassify public safety telecommunicators as "protective service occupations" in federal job statistics. Additionally, the FCC must report on compliance with Kari’s Law, which mandates direct 911 access in multi-line phone systems. These provisions aim to improve disaster communications transparency and response coordination without creating new funding or regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act to revise the governance and operations of the Marine Debris Foundation. It redefines "Tribal organization" to align with the Indian Self-Determination Act, requires the Foundation to operate as a corporation (not an organization), and mandates new best practices for outreach to Indian Tribes. Key changes include allowing the Foundation to locate its main office outside Washington, D.C. in a coastal state, and permitting salary payments for 24 months using federal funds. The bill directly affects the Foundation’s structure, its engagement with Tribal organizations, and how it manages federal funds for marine debris programs.

Maddy summarySRES 497 is a Senate resolution (introduced December 13, 2023) expressing the Senate's view that the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and similar phrases are antisemitic and constitute a call for genocide against the Jewish state. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies; it is solely a symbolic statement of the Senate's position. The resolution formally declares the Senate's "sense" on the meaning of the slogan, based on the signers' interpretation. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect on citizens, government actions, or future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from providing health care or processing health care claims for individuals unlawfully present in the United States who are not already eligible for VA benefits under existing law. It directly affects non-citizens without legal immigration status who would otherwise seek VA health services. The key mechanism bans VA health care services and claims processing for this group, while preserving eligibility for veterans and others legally residing in the U.S. The bill does not alter current VA eligibility rules for citizens or lawfully present individuals.

Maddy summaryThe Kids Online Safety Act requires social media platforms and other online services used by minors to implement safety features protecting children under 17. It mandates default privacy controls, limits addictive features like automatic media playback, restricts advertising of harmful products (tobacco, gambling, alcohol) to minors, and requires annual transparency reports about online risks. Platforms with over 10 million monthly U.S. users must provide parental tools, conduct independent audits, and make de-identified data available for research on online harms. The bill focuses on preventing mental health disorders, bullying, sexual exploitation, and addictive behaviors through platform design changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 492) honoring the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. It expresses the Senate's condolences for her passing and recognizes her lifetime of humanitarian work, including her advocacy for mental health care, founding of caregiver support programs, and service with The Carter Center. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides retroactive pay, benefits, and seniority for senior military officers (O-7 and above) whose promotions were delayed due to a suspension of Senate confirmation hearings starting in February 2023. It specifically applies to officers confirmed to their ranks between December 5 and December 31, 2023. The Secretary of Defense must pay retroactive compensation starting 30 days after the appointment was placed on the Senate Executive Calendar, use that date for seniority calculations, and waive any negative impacts from the confirmation delay. This addresses a specific backlog of promotions affected by the Senate's temporary suspension of its advice-and-consent process.

Maddy summaryThe Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act creates a new tax credit for developers and owners of middle-income housing projects. The credit equals a percentage (5-20%) of the qualified basis of buildings that meet specific affordability requirements: at least 60% of units must be rent-restricted for households earning 100% or less of area median income. The credit is available for 15 years, with projects required to maintain affordability through a 15-year commitment period. This policy change aims to incentivize the development of housing for middle-income households earning between 60-100% of area median income.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 52) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that determined lead emissions from aircraft using leaded fuel endanger public health and welfare. If approved, it would nullify the EPA's October 2023 rule (88 Fed. Reg. 72372), preventing it from taking effect. The rule directly affects aircraft operators and manufacturers using leaded aviation fuel, as it would have required addressing lead emissions under the Clean Air Act. The resolution, introduced by Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, uses a statutory process to halt the EPA's finding without creating new regulations.

Maddy summarySRES 488 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG), a nonprofit organization supporting at-risk youth. It acknowledges JAG's work in helping young people succeed in school, careers, and postsecondary education across 39 states, citing its model serving over 1.6 million youth since 1980. The resolution specifically highlights JAG's high graduation rates and its comprehensive program including employability skills training and career pathway support. This resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally honors JAG's achievements.