Sen. Christopher A. Coons

Maddy summaryThe Building Civic Bridges Act establishes a new Office of Civic Bridgebuilding within the Corporation for National and Community Service to oversee a pilot grant program. This program awards competitive grants to nonprofits, community groups, schools, and local governments for projects that reduce conflict, improve social cohesion, and address public concerns like health or environmental needs by engaging diverse communities across polarization. Grant applicants must demonstrate research-based approaches, ensure participant safety (especially for marginalized groups), and report outcomes using standardized criteria. The program is funded at $15 million annually for 2025-2027, with the Comptroller General required to assess its effectiveness and report to Congress after each 3-year period.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and sell commemorative coins honoring the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. It specifies three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 100,000), $1 silver coins (max 500,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), all with designs reflecting soccer and the World Cup. A surcharge is added to each coin sale ($35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, $5 for half-dollars), with all surcharge revenue going directly to FWC2026 US, Inc. to fund U.S. soccer programs, particularly youth initiatives and underserved communities. The coins may only be sold during 2026 and must cover all costs to avoid government expense.

Maddy summaryS 4150, the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Extension Act, extends a temporary provision in bankruptcy law by adding two more years to its current duration. It modifies Section 2(i)(1) of the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment and Technical Corrections Act (Public Law 117-151) to change the timeframe from 2 years to 4 years. This adjustment directly affects the mechanism that temporarily sets bankruptcy filing thresholds, providing continued stability for bankruptcy courts and filers under the existing framework.

Maddy summarySRES 645 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating April 20-28, 2024, as "National Park Week." It does not create new laws or affect any group directly; instead, it formally recognizes this week to highlight the National Park System. The resolution encourages the public to responsibly visit, experience, and support national parks, referencing the system’s history, visitor statistics (325 million visits in 2023), and economic impact ($50.3 billion in 2022). As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to promote awareness of national parks.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It specifically applies to cases involving discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics in schools and federally funded programs. The bill clarifies that this guidance does not expand the Department's authority, alter existing discrimination standards, or affect First Amendment rights. It aims to ensure consistent enforcement against antisemitism under existing civil rights law, as previously adopted by the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryThe Neighborhood Homes Investment Act creates a new tax credit to encourage rehabilitation and construction of affordable homes in distressed communities. The credit, calculated as the lesser of the rehabilitation cost difference or 35% of development costs, is designed to address the "value gap" preventing housing revitalization. It requires homes to be sold to qualified homeowners (earning no more than 140% of area median income) in designated census tracts with high poverty rates and low homeownership. Homeowners must keep the homes as their primary residence for five years, after which they may sell but must repay a portion of the credit if sold within that period. The bill aims to generate 500,000 new homes over 10 years while promoting fair housing practices and neighborhood revitalization.

Maddy summaryThe Solitary Confinement Reform Act establishes new federal standards for solitary confinement in correctional facilities. It limits solitary confinement to the briefest necessary period (with at least 4 hours out of cell daily) and prohibits its use for vulnerable populations including juveniles, the elderly, people with serious mental illness, pregnant individuals, and LGBTQ+ people unless there's an immediate safety threat. The bill requires regular mental health evaluations for inmates in solitary, mandates multidisciplinary staff committee reviews of all solitary confinement placements, and creates an Ombudsman position to monitor compliance and receive civil rights complaints. These changes aim to reduce the use of solitary confinement while ensuring appropriate care and oversight for incarcerated individuals.

Maddy summaryS 4125, the Jackie Robinson Commemorative Site Act, designates Daytona Beach, Florida’s Jackie Robinson Ballpark as the "Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site" under the African American Civil Rights Network. The bill formally recognizes the ballpark’s historical significance and ensures all federal references to it now use the commemorative site name. It clarifies the site is not part of the National Park System and requires a study to evaluate its potential future designation as a National Park System unit, while prohibiting federal land acquisition or interference with local property rights. The bill directly affects the ballpark’s official recognition and management under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 638) calls on the Taliban to immediately release Ryan Corbett, a U.S. citizen wrongfully detained since August 2022 while visiting Afghanistan for business. It condemns the Taliban's detention of Corbett - held in a small cell under poor conditions without charges - and urges U.S. officials to prioritize his release. The resolution also demands the Taliban stop detaining Americans for political gain and calls for the release of other U.S. citizens wrongfully held in Afghanistan. As a symbolic congressional action, it does not create new law but expresses formal support for Corbett and his family.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through 2041, maintaining duty-free access to U.S. markets for eligible sub-Saharan African countries. It introduces biennial reviews of beneficiary countries' compliance with eligibility requirements related to governance, human rights, and trade practices. The bill creates a new category for countries that have ratified the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and establishes a process for "graduating" countries that become high-income economies for five consecutive years. Additionally, it requires beneficiary countries to develop biennial strategies to better utilize AGOA benefits and mandates reports on forced labor enforcement and potential trade agreements with sub-Saharan African nations.