Maddy summaryThis bill mandates increased federal funding for two key education programs. It requires annual appropriations for Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (which supports schools serving disadvantaged students) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, which funds special education) starting in 2026. The bill sets specific, rising annual funding levels - based on a 2025 baseline and national per-student spending - to gradually reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for IDEA by 2035. These funds directly affect school districts receiving Title I support and those providing special education services under IDEA. The funding is made mandatory, not discretionary, ensuring consistent annual support for these programs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows electrical utilities to remove vegetation near power lines on National Forest System land without needing a separate timber sale, provided the work follows existing land management plans and environmental laws. It directly affects utilities operating in national forests by streamlining vegetation management to reduce fire risks near transmission and distribution lines. If utilities sell the removed vegetation, they must share the proceeds (minus transportation costs) with the Forest Service, though the bill doesn't require them to sell the material. The key change simplifies permitting for routine line clearance while adding a financial mechanism for utility sales.
Maddy summaryThe American Music Fairness Act (S 326) requires terrestrial radio stations to pay royalties for public performances of music, a change from the current system where they do not pay. It establishes tiered royalty rates for small broadcasters: $10 annually for stations with under $100,000 in revenue, $100 for public broadcasters with $100,000-$1.5 million revenue, and $500 for other stations in that revenue range. The bill explicitly protects songwriters’ existing royalty rights and requires the Copyright Royalty Judges to consider how radio promotion affects music sales when setting rates. These changes amend copyright law to treat terrestrial radio similarly to internet streaming services for royalty purposes.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to fund the co-location of affordable housing and licensed child care facilities, primarily benefiting low-income families in areas with insufficient child care access ("child care deserts"). It provides up to $10 million per grant to eligible entities (like housing developers, community organizations, or tribal entities) for designing, building, or retrofitting facilities where housing residents can access on-site or nearby child care. Priority is given to projects in low-income, rural, or underserved communities that serve very low-income families or partner with child care providers certified for federal assistance. The program requires grantees to avoid evicting residents, engage housing residents in planning, and use funds strictly for facility-related activities, with annual reporting on outcomes like child care slots created and resident demographics.
Maddy summaryS 322 establishes a federal program to improve forecasts of atmospheric rivers - narrow moisture "rivers" in the atmosphere that cause extreme rain, flooding, and snowfall. It directs NOAA to develop better forecasting tools using machine learning, satellite data, and aircraft reconnaissance (November-March), with a focus on the West Coast including Alaska. Key provisions include creating standardized forecast metrics, building a unified forecasting system, and improving communication about atmospheric river impacts to help communities prepare. The bill aims to reduce property damage, economic losses, and risks from both floods and droughts by enhancing forecast accuracy and usability for local officials and residents.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 324, amends the Food Security Act to fund two pilot projects improving longer-range weather forecasts for water management and agriculture. It directly affects water managers in the western U.S. and farmers/ranchers nationwide by targeting specific scientific challenges like predicting mountain precipitation, atmospheric rivers, soil moisture, and seasonal weather patterns. Key mechanisms include authorizing $45 million annually (2025-2029) for NOAA to establish these pilots, requiring collaboration with universities and NOAA centers, and setting measurable goals for forecast accuracy. The projects must address defined scientific gaps, such as improving model resolution for mountain terrain or agricultural drought forecasting, with authority ending after five years.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal task force within NOAA to coordinate heat-health efforts across 15+ agencies (including Health and Human Services, EPA, and FEMA). It requires the task force to create a 5-year strategic plan within two years, focusing on sharing heat-related health data, improving research, and developing tools for communities. The plan must address heat risks for all Americans, with specific attention to tribal governments and vulnerable populations during heat events. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2025-2029) to fund this coordination and the National Integrated Heat Health Information System.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 42) is a symbolic expression of disapproval by the Senate for pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It does not change any laws or affect legal outcomes but formally condemns those pardons as inconsistent with the Senate's position. The resolution directly addresses the Senate's stance toward those who received pardons for violent acts against law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach.
Maddy summaryS 280, the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act, removes barriers for foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) seeking U.S. aid under the Foreign Assistance Act. It directly affects foreign NGOs providing health services (like counseling) with non-U.S. funds, ensuring they cannot be denied aid solely for offering such services if they comply with local laws and U.S. federal standards. The bill prohibits denying aid based on health services provided with non-U.S. funds and stops applying stricter rules on non-U.S. funds for advocacy to foreign NGOs compared to U.S. NGOs. This changes how the U.S. government evaluates eligibility for aid, making the process more consistent for foreign health-focused organizations.
Maddy summarySRES 41 is a procedural resolution authorizing the Senate's Sergeant at Arms to organize quarterly blood donation drives for Senate staff and employees during the 119th Congress. It requires the Sergeant at Arms to consult with the Senate Rules Committee to select dates, locations, and partnering blood donation organizations for each drive, while allowing Senators to request specific organizations. This resolution does not create new law or affect the public - it solely streamlines internal Senate operations for employee health initiatives.