Maddy summaryThe Access to AEDs Act (S 1024) provides $25 million in federal funding over five years (2024-2028) to help public elementary and secondary schools improve access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training. It authorizes grants for schools to purchase AEDs, train students and staff, develop emergency response plans, and partner with health organizations - such as local hospitals or fire departments - to implement these programs. The bill also requires the creation of a national database to track school AED access and share best practices, aiming to support immediate response during cardiac emergencies. This directly affects schools, students, and school staff by enhancing preparedness for sudden cardiac arrest, which the bill cites as a leading cause of death among young athletes and children.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal "National Parkinson’s Project" under the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate efforts across agencies in preventing, treating, and curing Parkinson’s disease and related conditions. It requires an integrated national plan, annual progress assessments, and a public Advisory Council - including patient advocates, researchers, and healthcare providers - to guide strategy and recommend actions. The project mandates data sharing among federal agencies and biannual reports to Congress evaluating federally funded Parkinson’s programs, aiming to improve care coordination, reduce financial burdens on Medicare and families, and advance research on environmental triggers. The law directly affects people living with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and federal health agencies involved in research and patient services. The initiative is scheduled to sunset in 2035.
Maddy summaryThis resolution supports designating the week of April 17-21, 2023, as "National Work Zone Awareness Week." It encourages public education on work zone safety practices, such as obeying reduced speeds, avoiding distractions, and heeding signage, while urging infrastructure operators to adopt safety technologies. The resolution does not create new laws or regulations but aims to raise awareness about reducing work zone crashes and fatalities, citing 2020 data showing 857 work zone fatalities and 44,240 injuries. It is a non-binding Senate resolution focused on promoting safety awareness.
This resolution designates March 2023 as National Women's History Month. The resolution also recognizes the celebration of such month as a time to reflect on the contributions that women have made to the United States.
Maddy summaryS 1006 requires the U.S. Secretary of State, with the Secretary of Defense, to submit a report to Congress within 90 days of enactment on implementing the "advanced capabilities pillar" of the AUKUS security partnership (Australia, UK, U.S.). The report must detail U.S. government review times for defense exports to Australia and the UK, denial rates for such exports, ITAR violations by those countries, civil penalties assessed, and recommendations for improving export controls. It specifically mandates data on defense export review times (2021-2022), ITAR violations (2017-2022), and assessments of legal changes needed in Australia and the UK. The bill focuses on transparency around defense export processes under the AUKUS partnership, with no new policy requirements beyond the reporting mandate.
Maddy summaryThe International Human Rights Defense Act of 2023 establishes a permanent Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ human rights at the Department of State to lead U.S. foreign policy efforts addressing discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ people globally. The bill requires the Special Envoy to develop an annual global strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals, with mandatory reporting on countries that criminalize same-sex relationships or discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. It directs U.S. foreign assistance to support programs that protect LGBTQI+ rights, including health initiatives addressing HIV/AIDS in LGBTQI+ communities, and requires training for U.S. personnel and foreign officials on LGBTQI+ rights issues. The bill also mandates regular congressional briefings on the status of LGBTQI+ rights worldwide and U.S. government efforts to address abuses.
Maddy summary# Summary of the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023 This comprehensive agricultural legislation contains multiple titles addressing conservation, renewable energy, and food waste reduction: **Conservation Programs:** - Expands Conservation Reserve Program to 32 million acres by 2028 - Creates "Grassland 30" pilot program for 30-year conservation contracts - Establishes new Private Grazing Land Conservation program with focus on advanced grazing management - Creates Alternative Manure Management Program with $1.5 billion funding (2024-2028) to reduce methane emissions from livestock operations - Makes composting a recognized conservation practice **Renewable Energy:** - Amends Rural Energy for America Program to include greenhouse gas reduction criteria - Requires carbon accounting assessments for renewable energy systems - Establishes agrivoltaic systems research and demonstration program ($15 million annually) **Food Waste Reduction:** - Standardizes "quality date" (BEST If Used By) and "discard date" (USE By) labeling - Requires federal contractors to report on food waste disposal - Creates School Food Waste Reduction Grant Program - Establishes grants for composting and anaerobic digestion food waste-to-energy projects ($100 million annually) **Additional Provisions:** - Amends Federal Food Donation Act to require food donation - Creates Food Waste Research Program with 5 regional partner institutions - Includes $20 million for Processing Resilience Grants to increase meat processing capacity - Requires technical assistance for conservation programs with specific funding allocations The legislation emphasizes climate resilience, greenhouse gas reduction, and sustainable agricultural practices while providing significant funding for conservation programs and food waste reduction initiatives.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 19-25, 2023, as "National Poison Prevention Week" and encourages communities nationwide to raise awareness about poisoning dangers and promote prevention. It does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups, but formally recognizes the annual observance established since 1961. The resolution highlights the role of poison control centers in addressing emergencies, including opioid misuse, pediatric poisonings, and overdose cases, while urging public education on safety. It expresses gratitude for poison control workers and supports existing resources like the 1-800-222-1222 hotline. The focus is purely on awareness, not policy changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill would reform the H-1B and L-1 visa programs to prevent fraud, abuse, and displacement of U.S. workers. It requires employers to pay H-1B and L-1 workers wages at or above the highest of three wage levels (prevailing wage, median wage for the occupation, or median wage for skill level 2), prohibits displacing U.S. workers within 180 days of visa placement, and mandates employers to post job openings online for 30 days. The bill creates new enforcement mechanisms including expanded investigation authority for the Department of Labor, imposes penalties for violations (up to $25,000 per violation), and requires employers to provide benefits to foreign workers on the same basis as U.S. workers. It also establishes a new fee for H-1B applications to fund oversight activities and requires employers to submit annual reports on their use of these visas.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a student loan forgiveness program for educators who work in designated high-need schools or early childhood education programs. After completing 5 years of qualifying service (which can be non-consecutive), educators will have 100% of their outstanding student loan debt forgiven, including interest and fees. The program also provides monthly loan forgiveness during service, with payments counted toward future forgiveness. It applies to teachers, school leaders, early childhood educators, and program directors working in these settings, including those in Bureau of Indian Education schools and Tribal programs. Service completed before the bill's enactment can count toward the 5-year requirement.