Sen. Mazie K. Hirono

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 1, 2025, as "Energy Efficiency Day" to recognize the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency. It celebrates private sector innovation and federal energy efficiency policies, referencing historical achievements like over 80 quadrillion BTUs in energy savings and $1 trillion in annual cost avoidance. The resolution has no binding provisions and is purely ceremonial, calling for public observance through programs and activities. It does not create new laws or directly affect any specific groups.

Maddy summarySRES 446 is a ceremonial Senate resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy's founding on October 13, 1775. It recognizes the Navy's historical role in protecting U.S. interests and acknowledges its current size (over 290 ships, 3,700 aircraft, and 590,000 personnel). The resolution expresses appreciation for the service of Navy personnel past and present and reaffirms Senate support for the Navy as a key national defense force. It has no binding effect or policy changes, serving solely as a symbolic tribute.

Maddy summaryS 2994, the Voter Purge Protection Act, prevents states from removing voters from registration lists based on non-voting or failure to respond to mail. It requires states to use verified evidence - like death records or permanent out-of-state moves - for removals, not just non-voting history. Voters removed must receive 48-hour notice with reinstatement options, and states must publicly announce list maintenance efforts. The bill also allows voters to update their address through election day at polling locations or central sites, ensuring continued eligibility after moving within the same state. This directly protects voters who might otherwise be incorrectly purged due to administrative errors or lack of contact.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution expresses concern about rising book bans in schools and libraries, citing data showing over 6,800 individual book removals since July 2024 across 23 states. It highlights how bans disproportionately target books about race, LGBTQ+ experiences, and marginalized histories - such as *The Handmaid’s Tale* and *Maus* - and urges schools to follow established guidelines for handling book challenges. The resolution calls for returning books removed from military schools under recent executive orders and opposes content-based censorship in public education.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides temporary relief to federal workers during government shutdowns by pausing specific civil obligations. It directly affects federal employees (including contractor employees) who are furloughed or working without pay, suspending actions like evictions, mortgage foreclosures, student loan collections, tax payments, and insurance lapses during the shutdown and for 30 days afterward. Key mechanisms include court-ordered stays for rent, mortgages, and loans; automatic student loan deferment; tax payment deferrals; and protection against insurance policy termination due to unpaid premiums. The relief applies only to civil matters (not criminal cases or child support) and requires court involvement for certain actions.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution SRES 406 designates September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Impact Aid program. The program reimburses school districts near federal properties (such as military bases, Indian lands, and federal facilities) for lost tax revenue, ensuring they can provide quality education. This resolution formally recognizes the program’s role in supporting over 1,100 school districts serving more than 8 million students across 4.7 million acres of federally owned land. It is a ceremonial resolution with no new policy changes or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows federal contractors, their employees, and certain federal grant recipients or District of Columbia government workers affected by government shutdowns to withdraw up to $30,000 (adjusted for inflation) from retirement plans without the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. Withdrawals must be repaid within three years to avoid tax consequences, and the withdrawn amount is spread over three years for tax purposes. It specifically applies during periods of federal appropriations lapses (at least two weeks) when workers face unpaid leave or reduced pay. The bill modifies tax rules to treat these distributions as eligible for penalty-free access under defined circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to adjust contract prices for contractors affected by government funding lapses (like shutdowns), ensuring contractors can cover costs for employees who were furloughed, laid off, or had reduced hours. It mandates that contractors receive reimbursement for paying employees at their standard rate during the lapse or restoring paid leave used instead of work. The reimbursement is capped at $1,442 per week (pro-rated for part-time workers), and contractors must provide proof of costs to the agency. Agencies must report to Congress within a year on how many contractor employees were impacted and how compensation was handled.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the U.S. Treasury's Exchange Stabilization Fund from providing financial support to Argentina's government or financial markets. It specifically blocks the use of the fund for currency swaps, purchasing Argentine debt, or any credit instruments intended to bail out Argentina. The restriction applies until December 10, 2027, and requires any existing contracts violating this rule to be terminated within seven days of the bill's enactment. The law directly affects the Treasury Department's use of its financial tools, not Argentina itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides emergency financial relief for federal employees affected by government shutdowns. It allows workers on furlough or working without pay during a shutdown lasting at least two weeks to withdraw up to $30,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) retirement accounts without the usual 10% tax penalty. The bill also prevents missed TSP loan payments during shutdowns from being treated as taxable distributions, protecting employees from unexpected tax bills. These provisions apply to withdrawals and loan payments made after September 30, 2025, directly supporting federal workers facing income disruption during funding lapses.