Sen. Richard J. Durbin

Maddy summaryBill S 2468 updates a provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows certain long-term residents to apply for a form of legal status (registry). Currently, this provision only applies to people who entered the U.S. before July 1, 1924, or January 1, 1972. The bill changes the requirement to mandate that applicants entered the U.S. at least seven years before submitting their application. This adjustment would expand eligibility to include more individuals who have lived in the U.S. continuously for seven years or longer. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThe Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2025 expands federal student loan forgiveness eligibility to include more adjunct faculty members. It amends the Higher Education Act to allow loan forgiveness for adjunct, contingent, or part-time faculty who teach at least 9 credit hours per semester (or equivalent weekly hours) at colleges, vocational schools, or Tribal Colleges, provided they are not full-time employees elsewhere. The bill directly affects non-tenured faculty in temporary teaching roles who meet these specific teaching hour requirements. This change modifies existing loan forgiveness criteria to explicitly include these faculty members under the Higher Education Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal courts from excluding potential jurors based on disability or age. It amends jury selection rules to replace the term "infirmity" with "disability that cannot be reasonably accommodated" and explicitly states that people cannot be disqualified from serving on federal juries due to disability if reasonable accommodations would allow them to serve. The law requires courts to consider reasonable accommodations for qualified jurors with disabilities or age-related needs. This directly affects individuals with disabilities and older adults who may have been excluded from federal jury service under previous rules.

Maddy summarySRES 338 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 enables independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. It highlights that over one-third of disabled individuals rely on Medicaid for health coverage and community-based care, yet many remain in segregated institutions due to Medicaid limitations and insufficient community services. The resolution calls for bipartisan action to strengthen Medicaid funding, oppose cuts or work-reporting requirements that hinder access to care, and expand home-based services to support employment and community living. It specifically urges federal agencies to improve accessibility in housing, transportation, emergency services, and competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities, particularly those of color facing systemic barriers. This resolution does not create new law but advocates for policy changes to fulfill the ADA’s promise.

Maddy summaryThe Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2025 creates new federal offices within the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and FBI to specifically monitor, investigate, and prosecute domestic terrorism - particularly White supremacist and neo-Nazi-related incidents. It requires these agencies to submit detailed, biannual reports to Congress tracking specific data on incidents, arrests, prosecutions, and weapon recoveries related to domestic terrorism, with a focus on White supremacist threats. The bill also mandates anti-bias training for staff, establishes an interagency task force to address White supremacist infiltration of law enforcement, and requires federal training programs for state and local law enforcement on identifying and countering domestic terrorism. These provisions directly affect federal agencies and indirectly impact state/local law enforcement through new training and reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 adds 14,000 new residency training positions over seven years (2027-2033), distributing 2,000 annually through a structured application process. It directly affects hospitals applying for these positions, requiring them to commit to filling the new spots and prioritizing rural hospitals, those serving health shortage areas, and hospitals affiliated with historically Black medical schools. Key mechanisms include seven annual application rounds, rules for carrying over unused positions, and minimum distribution quotas (e.g., 10% to rural hospitals). The bill also mandates a study on increasing diversity in the health workforce, with a report due to Congress within two years.

Maddy summaryThe Stop the Scammers Act establishes a whistleblower reward program for individuals reporting violations of federal consumer financial law (e.g., scams, fraud). Whistleblowers who provide original information leading to successful enforcement actions by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may receive 10-30% of recovered civil penalties (minimum $50,000 if penalties are under $1 million). The bill mandates strong confidentiality protections for whistleblowers, prohibits employers from waiving these rights via contracts, and requires the CFPB to report annually on the program. It directly affects whistleblowers in consumer finance cases and the CFPB’s enforcement process, not the general public.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new process for suspending the U.S. debt ceiling. The Treasury Secretary must certify when borrowing will be needed after a suspension period ends, requiring Congress to disapprove the suspension via a simple joint resolution within 45 days. If Congress fails to act, the suspension continues automatically, and the debt limit adjusts upward to cover obligations issued during the suspension period. The bill also mandates expedited procedures for Congress to consider disapproval resolutions, with strict timelines for debate and voting in both chambers.

Maddy summaryThe Climate Change Resiliency Fund for America Act of 2025 establishes a federal fund to finance climate adaptation projects, directing at least 40% of funds toward communities disproportionately impacted by climate change, including environmental justice communities, frontline communities, and low-income communities. It creates a Climate Change Advisory Commission to develop guidelines for funding projects that improve infrastructure resilience, protect public health, and preserve ecosystems. The bill requires eligible entities to provide at least 25% of project costs (with waivers available for disadvantaged communities) and mandates compliance with prevailing wage standards for labor. Funds will be raised through $200 million annually in "Climate Change Obligations" (bonds), with potential for additional funding up to $800 million per year. The program supports concrete climate adaptation efforts addressing sea level rise, extreme weather, and environmental health risks.

Maddy summaryS 2316, the Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act, requires electronic communication service providers and remote computing services to report to the Attorney General when they have actual knowledge of certain drug-related crimes involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, counterfeit prescription drugs, or unauthorized prescription medications. Providers must submit detailed reports within 60 days, including account information and relevant data about the crime, but not the content of communications. The bill imposes civil penalties of up to $190,000 for failing to report and $100,000 for submitting false reports, while protecting providers from being required to monitor content or scan for violations. It exempts broadband internet and text messaging service providers from these requirements and mandates annual reports from the Attorney General on the number and outcomes of submitted reports. The law aims to improve law enforcement's ability to address drug trafficking while maintaining privacy protections for users.