Sen. Thomas R. Carper

Maddy summarySRES 161 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating April 22-30, 2023, as "National Park Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but formally recognizes the National Park System's significance. The resolution highlights the parks' historical value, visitor impact (312 million visits in 2022), and economic contributions ($42.5 billion in 2021). It encourages public engagement with national parks but contains no funding, regulatory changes, or policy mechanisms. As a procedural resolution, it serves purely to honor the parks' legacy.

Maddy summarySRES 143 is a Senate resolution designating April 3-7, 2023, as National Assistant Principals Week. It expresses support for recognizing assistant principals' roles in maintaining safe school environments, supporting student achievement, and mentoring staff. The resolution honors their contributions to education but does not create new laws or policies. It encourages public observance through ceremonies and activities to raise awareness of their leadership. This is a symbolic gesture with no binding legal effect.

Maddy summarySRES 154 is a symbolic Senate resolution supporting International Transgender Day of Visibility. It encourages the American public to observe this day through ceremonies and activities, celebrates transgender community achievements, and recognizes the community's fight for equality. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a statement of support. It directly acknowledges transgender individuals' contributions and the ongoing challenges they face, including discrimination in employment, education, and healthcare. The resolution was introduced by multiple senators and refers to transgender representation in government and media as part of its context.

This resolution designates the first week of April as National Asbestos Awareness Week. It also urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health.

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should negotiate and enforce rules on digital trade and the digital economy with like-minded countries as part of its broader trade and economic strategy.

Maddy summaryS 1098, the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act, changes U.S. aid rules for foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) receiving funding under the Foreign Assistance Act. It removes eligibility barriers for these NGOs if they provide health services (like counseling) using their own funds, as long as those services comply with local laws and would be legal in the U.S. It also eliminates extra restrictions on how foreign NGOs can use non-U.S. government funds for advocacy or lobbying, making these rules the same as those applied to U.S. NGOs receiving similar aid. This directly affects foreign health-focused NGOs working in international development and rights advocacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement that background checks for gun sales must be completed within 10 business days. It directly affects federally licensed gun sellers who conduct these checks, eliminating the specific deadline they previously had to finalize the process. The key provision amends existing law (18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(1)) to eliminate the 10-day timeframe, allowing sellers to complete checks without that strict deadline. The bill also includes minor technical corrections to related laws like the Brady Act and Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Maddy summaryThe Recovering America's Wildlife Act of 2023 establishes new funding streams to prevent species from needing Endangered Species Act protection and aid recovery of already-listed species. It provides $850 million in 2024 (increasing to $1.3 billion annually after 2027) to states, territories, and tribes through a new Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Subaccount, with 15% required for endangered species recovery. The bill also creates a Tribal Wildlife Conservation Account ($97.5 million annually) and an Endangered Species Recovery Fund ($187.5 million annually), with funds to be used for habitat conservation, species management, invasive species control, and conservation education. States must use funds to implement their Wildlife Conservation Strategies, and all funding must supplement, not replace, existing conservation programs. The legislation requires annual reporting to Congress on how funds are used and progress on conservation goals.

Maddy summaryThe Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2023 would authorize $50 million annually for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct or support research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention for fiscal years 2024 through 2029. This funding would allow the CDC to study the causes and prevention of gun violence, including evaluating safety measures and effective interventions. The research would be conducted under the Public Health Service Act, with the funding added to existing appropriations. The bill does not change current laws but provides dedicated resources for evidence-based research on gun violence as a public health issue.

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.