Sen. Brian Schatz

Maddy summarySRES 925 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Fred R. Harris of Oklahoma, who died on November 23, 2024, at age 94. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that his family be notified, and directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a formal expression of respect for a former senator’s legacy.

Maddy summaryThe CASC Act establishes a network of National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers to help communities and organizations address climate change impacts on natural and cultural resources. These centers will provide scientific expertise to Federal, State, tribal, and local governments, as well as universities and other partners, on climate adaptation strategies. The National Center, administered by the US Geological Survey, will coordinate with nine regional centers across the country that will work with local partners including Tribal Colleges, Historically Black Colleges, and Native Hawaiian organizations. The bill creates a five-year review process for regional centers to ensure they meet performance standards and continue receiving funding. The centers will focus on research, education, training, and sharing climate science to help decision-makers protect ecosystems, natural resources, and cultural heritage.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2024 strengthens worker and retiree protections during business bankruptcies by raising the priority for wage claims from $10,000 to $20,000, creating new claims for lost pension and retirement benefits, and requiring courts to prioritize job preservation in asset sales. The bill restricts bankrupt companies from modifying or rejecting collective bargaining agreements without meeting specific criteria, limits executive compensation upon exit from bankruptcy, and establishes mechanisms to recover excessive executive payments made before bankruptcy. It ensures severance pay is deemed earned upon layoff, prioritizes WARN Act damages, and creates new requirements for preserving retiree benefits and maintaining employee benefits during bankruptcy proceedings. The legislation focuses on ensuring bankruptcy proceedings prioritize the financial security of workers and retirees over executive compensation and other considerations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce three commemorative coins honoring Roberto Clemente: $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar clad coins, with specified quantities (50,000 gold, 400,000 silver, 750,000 half-dollars). The coins must feature Clemente’s image and include inscriptions like "Roberto Clemente" and "2027," with surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin respectively) funding the Roberto Clemente Foundation for youth sports, education, and disaster relief. All coins must be sold between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027, at face value plus surcharge, with the foundation audited for fund use. The legislation affects no citizens or policies - it solely creates a commemorative coin program.

Maddy summaryS 1322 extends the maximum lease term for tribal lands to 99 years for most commercial, residential, and farming uses (with grazing leases limited to 10 years) and requires the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate environmental impact, community services, and neighboring land use before approving leases. The bill also allows tribes to grant rights-of-way for infrastructure or development without federal approval if their tribal processes meet federal standards. These changes directly affect tribes, individual landowners on tribal lands, and businesses seeking to lease or develop tribal land for commerce.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 385) amends the Native American Tourism Act to create new grant programs for tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. It authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, and other federal agencies (like Commerce and Agriculture) to provide grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. The grants aim to support tourism development and visitor experiences as defined in the Act, with $35 million allocated for fiscal years 2023 through 2027. This directly affects eligible tribal and Native Hawaiian groups seeking funding to enhance tourism infrastructure and visitor services.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 902) honoring the late Senator Timothy Peter Johnson of South Dakota, who died after a long career in public service. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and send a copy to his family, and calls for the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is purely a formal expression of respect for a former senator. The resolution commemorates his decades of service, including his time as Chairman of the Banking Committee and his return to work after a serious health setback.

Maddy summaryThe RISEE Act of 2023 establishes a National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund to support coastal conservation, infrastructure, and research through grants to states, tribes, and organizations. It creates a new revenue-sharing system for offshore wind projects, directing 37.5% of operating fees to eligible coastal states based on proximity to project sites. States receiving these funds must use them for coastal protection, habitat restoration, or related projects and submit annual reports detailing fund usage to the Department of Interior. The bill also updates reporting requirements for Gulf of Mexico energy revenue funds to ensure transparency about how states use these funds.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 111) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific proposed U.S. military sale to Israel. It directly targets a $200 million foreign military sale involving 32,739 tank cartridges (including M1147 and M830A1 types), related munitions, transportation, and technical support services. The resolution would prohibit this sale if passed, as it is currently pending under the Arms Export Control Act. This is a procedural step requiring congressional action to block the sale, not an automatic ban. The resolution was introduced on September 25, 2024, by Senators Sanders, Welch, Merkley, and Schatz.

Maddy summarySRES 901 is a non-binding Senate resolution supporting Transgender Day of Remembrance by recognizing the epidemic of violence against transgender people in the U.S. It memorializes 38 transgender individuals, including transgender women of color, who were killed between October 2023 and September 2024. The resolution affirms the need for solutions to this violence while upholding the dignity of all transgender people. As a symbolic measure, it does not enact new policies or laws.