Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968-1982) and the first African American to seek a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image and name, which will be presented to her family by congressional leaders. After presentation, the medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution for public viewing and research. The bill also authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. This is a commemorative measure honoring Chisholm's historic contributions to American politics and civil rights.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 5487 (VETS Safe Travel Act), allows certain severely disabled veterans to join the TSA PreCheck security screening program at no cost. It directly affects veterans enrolled with the VA who have service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of an extremity, paralysis, or permanent blindness and require mobility aids like wheelchairs or prosthetics. The bill adds a new eligibility category for these veterans in the PreCheck program, requiring TSA and the VA to coordinate implementation within one year and provide outreach to inform veterans about the program. It also mandates a briefing to relevant congressional committees on implementation progress within 180 days of enactment.
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 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 requires Medicare to cover all contraceptive items and services - including prescription drugs, devices, counseling, and related clinical care - at 100% no cost-sharing for beneficiaries starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries (primarily seniors and people with disabilities) by eliminating deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for contraception, including over-the-counter options. Key provisions define "contraceptive items and services" broadly to include FDA-approved methods, counseling, device insertion/removal, and follow-up care, regardless of whether they are used specifically for contraception. Additional provisions mandate studies on coverage gaps for people with disabilities and dual Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries, along with a broader GAO review of contraceptive coverage across health plans.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes $500 million annually for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) program during fiscal years 2027 through 2031. It directly affects the federal program responsible for cleaning up and protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem, including addressing pollution, invasive species, and habitat restoration. The key provision adds a specific, multi-year funding level to the existing law, ensuring consistent financial support for ongoing restoration projects in the Great Lakes region.
Maddy summaryThe Reuniting Families Act (S 5423) aims to reduce family-based visa backlogs and promote family reunification by making several key changes to immigration law. It reclassifies spouses, permanent partners, and minor children of legal permanent residents as immediate relatives, recaptures unused visa numbers from previous years to reduce backlogs, and creates new definitions for "permanent partners" to include same-sex couples and other non-traditional relationships. The bill also expands eligibility for certain family members to adjust their status, provides relief for orphans and widows/widowers, and removes barriers that have prevented family reunification. These changes directly affect immigrants seeking to join family members already in the United States, particularly those from countries with long visa backlogs.
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 summaryThis resolution supports designating a National Move Over Law Day to raise public awareness about move over laws. These laws require drivers to move over a lane or slow down when passing emergency vehicles or roadside incidents, which helps protect traffic responders (like police and EMTs) who are often struck while working. The resolution urges organizations to promote these laws and educate the public on their importance, following a 2023 report showing 45 responders were killed in roadside collisions. It does not create new legal requirements but focuses on increasing public compliance through awareness.
Maddy summarySRES 914 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for National Adoption Day (November 23, 2024) and National Adoption Month (November 2024). It promotes public awareness of children awaiting adoption in foster care, celebrates adoption families, and encourages Americans to support child safety and permanency. The resolution does not create new policies or alter existing laws; it is a non-binding statement of support. It directly affects public awareness and national recognition of adoption efforts, not specific individuals or programs.