Maddy summaryThis bill retroactively restores pay, benefits, and seniority for senior military officers (O-7 rank or higher) whose promotions were delayed due to a Senate confirmation suspension starting in February 2023. It applies specifically to officers confirmed between December 5-31, 2023, who faced delays because the Senate paused its advice-and-consent process for such appointments. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to pay retroactive compensation from a defined date (the later of 30 days after Senate calendar placement or the original appointment date) and use that date for determining the officer's seniority in their new rank. It directly affects military personnel whose career progression was impacted by the confirmation delay, without creating new policy or changing appointment procedures.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 510) expresses the Senate's support for respecting the FDA's scientific determination that mifepristone - a medication used for early pregnancy termination - is safe and effective. It calls for abortion care policies to be "equitable and based on science," emphasizing the FDA's authority to regulate the drug without interference, including its 2023 update allowing mail-order access. The resolution directly addresses the impact of state restrictions on medication abortion, noting that such policies disproportionately affect Black and Indigenous people, people of color, low-income individuals, rural communities, and other marginalized groups. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but urges alignment with FDA science to protect access to this time-sensitive care.
Maddy summarySRES 499 is a non-binding Senate resolution honoring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, for her career as an Arizona State Senator, judge, and advocate for civic education through her organization iCivics. The resolution formally acknowledges her legacy as a trailblazer and educational advocate, extends condolences to her family, and requests communication of the resolution to the House of Representatives and her family. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new law or policy but serves as a formal tribute to her lifetime service.
Maddy summaryThis bill, the READINESS Act (S 3530), provides federal agencies with specific options to support employees who are spouses of military members or Foreign Service officers facing a permanent relocation due to their spouse's assignment. It requires agencies to either allow full-time remote work (if job duties permit), transfer the employee to a similar position near the new duty station, or place them in nonpay, non-duty status for up to 36 months. The law applies to permanent federal employees who relocate because their spouse (a military member or Foreign Service officer) is assigned to a new permanent duty station. Agencies must report all requests and actions taken to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) annually, with OPM then submitting a consolidated report to Congress. The bill focuses on accommodating these employees' relocation needs through flexible work arrangements or temporary status, without creating new entitlements.
Maddy summaryThis bill mandates a study comparing the quality of mental health and addiction therapy care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) versus non-VA providers. The study, to be conducted by an independent organization within 18 months, will assess differences in health outcomes, use of evidence-based practices, care coordination, veteran satisfaction, integrated treatment for co-occurring conditions, and long-term outcome monitoring. It specifically examines care across modalities like telehealth, inpatient, and outpatient settings. The findings must be reported to Congress and published publicly, focusing on concrete metrics such as symptom scores, suicide risk, and provider competency with veterans' unique needs. The bill does not change current care delivery but requires data collection to inform future policy decisions.
Maddy summaryThe FORWARD Act of 2023 authorizes $20 million annually (2024-2028) for research on endemic fungal diseases in the U.S., including Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis), and establishes a federal working group to coordinate efforts across health agencies. The bill creates a new "Endemic Fungal Disease Working Group" with federal and non-federal members to identify research gaps, recommend strategies for treatments/vaccines, and provide annual reports to Congress. It also expands a priority review voucher program to incentivize coccidioidomycosis treatments and allocates $500 million for a new antimicrobial resistance program, requiring at least 20% of funds to support antifungal product development. These provisions directly affect federal agencies (like NIH, CDC, and FDA), research institutions, and patients with fungal diseases such as Valley Fever.
Maddy summaryThe Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2023 reauthorizes the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) to support economic development and infrastructure projects in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas border counties. The bill authorizes $100 million annually for 2024-2028 and $200 million annually for 2029-2033 for SBRC programs, including grants for transportation infrastructure, housing, health facilities, and water/wastewater systems. It establishes new capacity building programs focused on workforce development, broadband access, and health professional shortages, with special provisions to waive matching requirements for colonias and Indian tribes. The bill also modifies commission membership rules and voting procedures to streamline decision-making and allows for fund transfers from other federal agencies to support SBRC initiatives.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 4,800 acres of federal land (managed by the Bureau of Land Management) to La Paz County, Arizona, upon the county's request. The county must pay the fair market value (determined by appraisal) and cover all conveyance costs, while the land is withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing. Key provisions require the county to protect tribal cultural artifacts through coordination with tribal offices and minimize disturbances, with any unearthed artifacts to be reburied. The bill does not mandate solar development or job creation, as its focus is solely on the land transfer process and associated conditions.
Maddy summaryThe Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2023 clarifies rights for mining claimholders (individuals or companies holding federal mining claims) on public land. It expands the definition of "operations" to explicitly include activities like prospecting, exploration, development, extraction, processing, reclamation, and related infrastructure (roads, pipelines) regardless of mineral discovery. The bill states that claimholders meeting basic fee requirements (location and maintenance fees) or assessment work standards automatically satisfy federal land use payment obligations under the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act, reducing regulatory uncertainty for mining operations.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Medicare rules to clarify that doctors can provide certain drugs and necessary supplies during office visits without meeting an additional administrative requirement. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries (primarily seniors), doctors, and pharmacies by simplifying access to critical medications during appointments. The key change removes a specific condition requiring drugs to be furnished "in accordance with subparagraph (A)(ii)" for the self-referral exception to apply. The bill also requires the removal of conflicting Medicare guidance published in 2021 and 2023 to ensure the rule change is implemented clearly.