Sen. Thomas R. Carper

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the District of Columbia Home Rule Act's provision (Section 740) that allowed the President to assume emergency control of the District of Columbia's police force. It removes the federal government's authority to override local police management during emergencies. The bill directly affects DC police operations by eliminating a specific federal intervention mechanism. The change is procedural, updating the Home Rule Act to reflect the removal of this presidential power.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers command authority over the District of Columbia National Guard from the U.S. President and federal officials to the Mayor of Washington, D.C. It directly affects the DC National Guard and its operations by amending multiple laws to replace references to the President, Secretary of the Army, or "Commanding General" with the Mayor. Key provisions include changing the Mayor to the Commander-in-Chief (Section 2(a)), appointing officers under the Mayor’s authority (Section 2(c)), and updating federal statutes (Titles 10 and 32) to reflect this change. The bill ensures the Mayor, not federal officials, now oversees all aspects of the DC National Guard, aligning with the District’s home rule framework.

Maddy summaryS 173, "Ethan's Law," requires firearm owners to store guns securely in homes where minors (under 18) or individuals ineligible to own firearms might access them. It amends federal law to make non-compliant storage an offense punishable by a $500 fine per violation, with enhanced penalties (up to 5 years in prison) if injury or death results. The bill creates a federal grant program to support states with laws matching its secure storage requirements, offering funding incentives for states that enact similar measures. It directly affects homeowners with firearms in households containing minors or prohibited persons, aiming to reduce accidental child access and firearm-related injuries.

Maddy summaryThis bill would admit Washington, D.C. as the 51st state, officially named "State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth," granting it full representation in Congress with two Senators and one Representative. It would establish a "Capital" area within the new state that remains under federal jurisdiction, including the White House, Capitol Building, and other key government properties. The bill would repeal the District of Columbia's congressional delegate position and the 23rd Amendment, which currently provides D.C. with electoral votes in presidential elections. It would also provide for the transition of federal properties, courts, and government functions while maintaining federal control over the Capital area.

Maddy summaryThis bill would ban the sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of most semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns meeting specific criteria defined as "assault weapons," as well as large capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds. The ban would not apply to weapons already owned before enactment, or to certain types like bolt-action rifles, antique firearms, or weapons used by law enforcement. The bill would require identification markings on new assault weapons and magazines, require background checks for transfers of "grandfathered" weapons, and authorize federal buy-back programs for banned weapons through Byrne grants. It includes exemptions for military, law enforcement, and certain historical firearms.

Supply Chain Disruptions Relief Act This bill modifies the treatment of liquidations of new motor vehicle inventory as qualified LIFO (last in first out accounting method) inventory. It allows new motor vehicle dealers to elect to wait until the end of 2025 to replace their inventory for purposes of determining income attributable to the sale of such inventory during 2020 and 2021.

Maddy summarySRES 875 is a non-binding Senate resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in the United States. It directly affects racial and ethnic minority communities, which face documented health disparities including lower life expectancy, higher maternal mortality, and worse pandemic outcomes due to systemic inequities. The resolution commits the Senate to establishing a nationwide strategy to address health disparities, dismantle systemic racism, and advance reforms for communities disproportionately impacted by racism. It cites evidence from public health experts and historical data showing racism meets all criteria of a public health crisis: widespread impact, unfair distribution, preventable nature, and lack of current preventive measures. The resolution is symbolic, urging cross-government action but not creating new laws or funding.

Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act or the PFAS Act This act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop guidance for firefighters and other emergency response personnel on training, education programs, and best practices to protect them from exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFASs, from firefighting foam and to prevent the release of PFASs into the environment. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. DHS shall make available a curriculum designed to reduce and eliminate exposure to PFAS from firefighting foam and personal protective equipment (PPE); prevent the release of PFAS from firefighting foam into the environment; and educate firefighters and other emergency response personnel on foams and non-foam alternatives, PPE, and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFAS. The U.S. Fire Administration shall make recommendations to DHS as to the content of the curriculum. DHS must create an online public repository on tools and best practices to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFASs.

Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2021 This bill addresses federal information security management, notification and remediation of cybersecurity incidents. For example, the bill requires (1) the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to perform ongoing and continuous assessments of federal information security risk posture; and (2) federal agencies to take certain actions in response to information security breaches, such as notifying affected individuals.

Safeguarding American Innovation Act This bill addresses the security of federally funded research and development grants and export-controlled goods, technologies, or sensitive information. The bill establishes in the Office of Management and Budget a Federal Research Security Council to develop federally funded research and development grant making policy and management guidance to protect the national and economic security interests of the United States. Each executive agency on the council shall be responsible for assessing federal research security risks posed by persons participating in federally funded research and development. The bill prohibits any individual from knowingly (1) preparing or submitting a federal grant application that fails to disclose the receipt of any outside compensation, including foreign compensation, by the individual; or (2) forging, counterfeiting, or otherwise falsifying a document to obtain a federal grant. An alien shall be inadmissible to the United States if a consulate or the Department of Justice knows the alien seeks to enter the United States to acquire export-controlled goods, technologies, or sensitive information if the Department of State has determined that such acquisition would be contrary to U.S. national security (including economic security). The bill revises provisions relating to the disclosure of foreign gifts.