Maddy summaryThe LIFT Act authorizes $15 billion in federal funding to support climate-resilient infrastructure planning and preparation in communities facing infrastructure challenges. It provides two types of grants: $5 billion for capacity building (like community outreach and workforce training) and $10 billion for project predevelopment activities (such as feasibility studies and permitting), with at least 50% of funds directed to environmental justice communities. Grants are capped at $500,000 per recipient, require multi-stakeholder partnerships, and prioritize projects that advance equity, reduce emissions, or improve public health. This funding targets local governments, community organizations, and minority/women-led entities to accelerate infrastructure projects without requiring upfront construction costs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to help people cover travel and logistical costs when accessing abortion services across state lines following the Dobbs decision. It authorizes $350 million annually (2024-2028) for grants to community-based organizations that assist individuals facing barriers like transportation, lodging, childcare, meals, or lost wages while traveling for care. Grants specifically cover expenses related to accessing abortion services but cannot fund the abortion procedure itself. The program prioritizes organizations serving people in states with abortion bans or those traveling to another state for care, directly supporting those disproportionately impacted by restricted access.
Maddy summaryThis bill bans the provision and advertising of conversion therapy for compensation, targeting therapists, clinics, and anyone offering paid services claiming to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. It prohibits advertising that falsely claims such therapy is harmless, effective, or without risk, and makes it unlawful to profit from these practices. Enforcement is handled by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general through civil actions. The law directly affects providers of paid conversion therapy while protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from potentially harmful and ineffective treatments.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Title X Clinic Fund to increase federal funding for family planning services. It appropriates $512 million annually (2024-2033) for clinic grants and $50 million for clinic infrastructure (construction/renovation) under the Department of Health and Human Services. The fund requires clinics receiving this money to provide nondirective pregnancy counseling, ensuring patients receive neutral information about all options - including prenatal care, adoption, and pregnancy termination - without bias. This directly affects Title X clinics serving low-income individuals seeking reproductive health services.
Maddy summaryThe Pollinator-Friendly Plant Labeling Act establishes a voluntary USDA certification program for plants that support pollinators like bees and butterflies. Producers (nurseries or farmers) can apply for certification if their living plants are native to the U.S., known to provide habitat and forage for pollinators, and grown without pesticides restricted in organic farming. To be labeled as "USDA pollinator-friendly," plants must meet these criteria and display specific labeling details, including the plant’s scientific name, native region, producer name, and a warning against pesticide use. The program uses existing organic law enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance, without overriding state or federal plant protection programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to develop a policy insuring wine grapes against losses from wildfire smoke damage, specifically affecting growers in California, Oregon, and Washington. Within one year, the Corporation must research this insurance option, and by 18 months, it must make the policy available if certain requirements are met. The bill mandates a report within two years detailing the research, the policy structure, and whether post-harvest smoke testing could enable claims for undetectable damage. This creates a formal process for addressing smoke-related crop losses through federal crop insurance.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund research on wildfire smoke's impact on wine grapes and wine. It requires the Agriculture Secretary to identify smoke-taint compounds, develop testing methods, create a database of natural compound levels, and create tools to reduce smoke taint. The research must be conducted with land-grant universities in California, Oregon, and Washington - states heavily affected by wildfire smoke impacting vineyards. The bill authorizes $6.5 million annually (2024-2028) for this specific research effort.
Refund Equality Act of 2023 This bill permits legally married same sex couples to amend their tax returns to file as married filing jointly for returns outside of the statute of limitations.
Maddy summarySRES 263 is a symbolic Senate resolution commemorating June 19, 2023, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day" to recognize June 19, 1865 - the date Union troops announced the end of slavery in Texas. It honors the historical significance of this date, when news of emancipation reached enslaved people in the Southwestern U.S. after the Civil War. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges this observance as part of U.S. history and heritage, supporting nationwide recognition of the event. It affects all Americans by affirming a shared historical moment in the nation's journey toward freedom.
Maddy summaryThe Supporting Mental Health for Military Children Act establishes a 4-year pilot program to provide routine mental health screenings in Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools, which serve military-connected children aged 3-17. Starting one year after enactment, the program requires twice-yearly screenings using common tools to identify conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and substance use, beginning with a virtual check for all students followed by in-person assessments for those needing further evaluation. Screenings include parental notice and consent requirements, streamlined referrals to community mental health clinics, and school-based support services, with the pilot expanding from 10 initial schools (including at least 2 overseas) to 10 more annually. The program mandates regular evaluations and a final report to Congress, aiming to address mental health needs early while prioritizing student privacy and community collaboration.