Maddy summaryThe VA Abortion Transparency Act of 2024 (S 4128) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing abortions facilitated by the VA. These reports must include the total number of abortions, broken down by type (surgical or medication), recipient (veteran or dependent), gestational age, legal justification, and Veterans Integrated Service Network, along with all related costs for procedures, staff training, infrastructure, and funding sources. The VA must exclude all individually identifiable patient information from these reports. This bill directly affects VA operations and congressional oversight, mandating specific data collection and transparency about abortion services provided to veterans and their dependents.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Section 994(a) of title 28, U.S. Code, to change the requirement for voting on sentencing policies at the U.S. Sentencing Commission from a four-member majority to a five-member consensus. It directly affects the commission's internal decision-making process for setting federal sentencing guidelines. The key provision replaces the phrase "four" with "five" in the statute governing how commission votes are counted. This procedural change requires all five voting members to agree on sentencing policy decisions, rather than allowing a majority of four.
Maddy summarySJRES 61 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Federal Highway Administration rule that established performance measures for the National Highway System, including a requirement to track greenhouse gas emissions from highway activities. The rule, published in December 2023, would have mandated that states and federal agencies assess highway performance using this emissions metric. If enacted, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the implementation of the emissions tracking measure. This action is pursued under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to reject federal regulations with a simple majority vote.
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 summaryS 4108 (the DRUGS Act) requires domain name registrars and registry operators to lock and suspend internet domains used for illegal online drug sales within 24 and 7 days, respectively, after receiving a verified report from authorized agencies like the FDA, DEA, or state pharmacy boards. It directly affects domain registrars (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap) and websites facilitating illegal drug transactions. Key provisions include strict timelines for action, mandatory evidence submission by reporters, and an appeal process where registrants can contest suspensions by providing valid pharmacy licenses. The bill targets the infrastructure of illegal online drug sales without altering drug laws or directly penalizing sellers.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and reaffirms U.S. commitment to Taiwan. It urges the President to maintain regular transfers of defense equipment to Taiwan for self-defense and calls on the Secretary of State to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations. The resolution highlights existing U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in trade, security, and education through programs like the Taiwan Fellowship Program and the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses the Senate's position without creating new law or policy.
Maddy summaryS 673, the Small Business Child Care Investment Act, expands access to small business loans for eligible nonprofit child care centers. It redefines "small business" under existing law to include nonprofit providers meeting specific criteria (like 501(c)(3) status, state licensing, and anti-discrimination policies), allowing them to qualify for SBA loan programs. Key provisions require loan guarantees for amounts over $500,000 but not for smaller loans, and prohibit denying eligibility based on religious activities protected by the First Amendment. The bill also mandates annual SBA reports to Congress tracking the number and value of loans provided to these providers.
Maddy summaryThe Countering Antisemitism Act establishes a National Coordinator within the Executive Office of the President and an Interagency Task Force to coordinate federal efforts against antisemitism across government agencies. The bill requires annual threat assessments of antisemitic violent extremism from the FBI, DHS, and National Counterterrorism Center, and mandates reports from relevant agencies on implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. It also requires the Department of Education to designate a senior officer to address antisemitic discrimination in higher education and to report on complaints, while directing a study on Holocaust education in schools. Additionally, the legislation amends the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to require public reporting on grant applications and awards, and designates May as Jewish American Heritage Month.
Maddy summaryThe Revoke Iranian Funding Act of 2023 revokes existing licenses and exemptions that permitted U.S. funds to be released to Iran for humanitarian purposes, including the $6 billion South Korea transfer in September 2023, and blocks the Treasury from issuing new such licenses for one year. It also rescinds a specific waiver issued by the State Department in September 2023 that allowed humanitarian funding. The bill requires the Treasury to report within 30 days on Iranian assets held in the U.S. and current licenses related to Iran sanctions, directly affecting Iran's government and entities linked to its military, nuclear program, or terrorist groups like Hamas. This targets financial transactions involving Iran's accounts in Qatar and aims to prevent funds from being diverted to support terrorism.