Sen. Tammy Duckworth

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Department of Energy Integrated Engineering Research Center Federal Building at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, as the "Helen Edwards Engineering Research Center." It updates all federal references - including laws, maps, and documents - to use the new name. The bill does not change any policies, funding, or regulations; it solely renames a federal building. This is a procedural naming resolution with no direct impact on citizens or programs.

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 summaryThe Caring for All Families Act expands family medical leave protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to include more relatives and domestic partners. It adds new provisions allowing employees to take leave for school activities related to their children or grandchildren, routine medical appointments for family members (including domestic partners and elderly individuals with family-like relationships), and care for elderly individuals who are not biologically related but have a close family-like bond. Employees may take up to 4 hours per 30 days or 24 hours per year for these purposes, in addition to existing leave entitlements. This bill applies to both private sector employees covered by the FMLA and federal employees under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. The changes clarify that "family" includes domestic partners, extended family members like grandparents and siblings, and individuals with a significant personal bond that functions like a family relationship.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act to create a new eligibility standard for education support professionals (ESP) in public schools, such as paraeducators, secretaries, custodians, and food service workers. It allows these employees to qualify for leave if they’ve worked at least 60% of their expected monthly hours from the previous school year, rather than requiring full-time hours. Employers must maintain records of each employee’s expected monthly hours for review by the Secretary. The change directly affects school support staff in public K-12 schools and institutions of higher education funded by state taxpayers.

Maddy summarySRES 24 is a symbolic Senate resolution supporting the annual observance of "National Girls & Women in Sports Day" on February 1, 2023. It aims to raise public awareness and celebrate the achievements of girls and women in sports, referencing ongoing efforts to address gender disparities in athletic participation and coaching. The resolution highlights statistics showing persistent inequities, such as female athletes comprising only 44% of college athletes and BIPOC women representing just 7% of head coaches. It specifically calls for continued support of Title IX and the Equal Pay for Team USA Act to advance gender equity in sports. As a resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the importance of this observance.

Maddy summaryThe JOBS Act of 2023 expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to short-term job training programs that provide 150-600 clock hours (8-15 weeks) of instruction aligned with in-demand local industries. It directly affects students enrolled in eligible career-focused programs at institutions of higher education, requiring programs to offer industry-recognized credentials and meet validation standards from employers or sector partnerships. Key provisions include mandatory industry validation of program quality, institutional credit articulation for noncredit programs, and lowering the minimum Pell Grant percentage from 10% to 5% for qualifying students. The bill ensures these programs count toward students’ total Pell Grant eligibility period while maintaining standard Pell Grant terms and conditions.

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 increases funding for two key U.S. agricultural export promotion programs. It raises the annual budget for the Market Access Program from $200 million to $400 million and for the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program from $34.5 million to $69 million, extending these funding levels through 2029 (previously capped at 2023). The bill directly affects U.S. agricultural producers and exporters, including those growing commodities like soybeans, beef, dairy, and wheat, by providing more resources to access international markets. These changes aim to counter competitive disadvantages from foreign competitors and address years of stagnant funding adjusted for inflation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 19) recognizes the importance of establishing a national "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution" to commemorate Fred Korematsu's lifelong fight against the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII and his later warnings against post-9/11 civil liberties violations. It encourages the public to reflect on preserving civil liberties during national emergencies, building on existing state observances (California, Florida, Hawaii, Virginia, and Arizona) that already designate January 30 as Fred Korematsu Day. The resolution does not create new law or policy but formally urges national recognition of Korematsu's legacy for civic education.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American civil rights advocate who challenged the WWII internment of Japanese Americans. It directs the Treasury Secretary to create a single gold medal bearing Korematsu's image and name, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs. The medal recognizes Korematsu's lifelong advocacy for civil liberties and his role in exposing the government's misleading claims that led to the Supreme Court's 1944 Korematsu v. United States decision. This is a commemorative measure with no new legal requirements or policy changes.