Maddy summaryThe Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 91) authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats who risked their careers and safety to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. These diplomats, representing countries including Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and others, issued visas and provided safe passage to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution despite strict orders from their home governments. The medal will be presented collectively to the next of kin of each diplomat, along with representatives from their home countries, and then permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The act recognizes these individuals' bravery without implying they represent all who performed similar humanitarian acts during the Holocaust. The medal serves as a permanent tribute to their sacrifice and will be available for public display and research.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 74 is a Senate resolution condemning Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority, which directly affects Baha'is in Iran facing systemic discrimination. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release imprisoned Baha'is, end hate propaganda against them, and reverse policies denying equal access to education, jobs, and religious practice. It also urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to demand Iran's compliance with international human rights treaties and use existing sanctions authority against Iranian officials responsible for abuses. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional condemnation of Iran's violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends organic certification standards to require soil and growing medium testing for prohibited substances (like synthetic chemicals) before planting. Organic producers must verify the absence of these substances through Secretary-certified methods prior to cultivation. The Secretary must issue proposed guidelines for these verification methods within 60 days of enactment. These changes apply directly to organic farmers and certifiers under the Organic Foods Production Act.
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 summaryThis bill designates the United States Postal Service facility at 119 North Anderson Street in Elwood, Indiana, as the "Officer Noah Jacob Shahnavaz Post Office Building." It updates all official U.S. references to this specific location to reflect the new name. The bill affects only the postal facility in Elwood, Indiana, with no changes to postal services or policies.
Maddy summarySRES 908 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. It recognizes stomach cancer as a serious health issue with low survival rates, late detection challenges, and disparities in outcomes among racial minorities. The resolution encourages increased public and medical awareness about symptoms and risk factors, supports further research on prevention and treatment, and urges states and localities to promote awareness efforts during November. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates December 2, 2024, as "World Nuclear Energy Day" to commemorate the historical milestones of nuclear energy development, including the first controlled nuclear chain reaction (1942) and the first commercial nuclear power plant (1957). It recognizes nuclear energy's role in providing nearly 20% of U.S. electricity, supporting over 70,000 direct jobs, and contributing to carbon-free power and national security. The resolution encourages public acknowledgment of nuclear energy's contributions to clean power, innovation, and global energy leadership, without creating new laws or affecting specific groups.
Maddy summaryThe Mark Our Place Act allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide or replace a headstone, marker, or medallion at the grave of any Medal of Honor recipient, regardless of when they served in the military. It removes a previous restriction requiring the recipient’s service dates to fall within specific time periods. This change expands eligibility for government-furnished grave markers to all Medal of Honor recipients, including those whose service ended long ago. The bill directly affects Medal of Honor recipients and their families by ensuring access to this symbolic honor without time-based limitations.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S.1510 (GAO Inspector General Parity Act), requires the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to provide detailed written justifications to Congress when taking actions affecting the GAO Inspector General (IG). Specifically, it mandates written rationale - including case-specific reasons - to both congressional houses within 15-30 days before placing the IG on non-duty status or removing/transferring them, including reports on any related inquiries. The bill also ensures the IG’s budget request is included in GAO’s budget without changes and requires the IG to obtain legal advice from counsel reporting directly to them. It directly affects the GAO’s internal operations and the IG’s role, aiming to increase transparency around personnel decisions involving the IG.
Maddy summaryBill S 1153 establishes the National Manufacturing Advisory Council within the Department of Commerce to advise federal agencies on manufacturing policy and workforce development. The Council, composed of representatives from industry, academia, and labor, will meet at least every six months to gather input and produce an annual strategic plan with recommendations for improving U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. It directly affects manufacturers, workers, and communities by focusing on supply chain challenges, workforce training, job retention, and support for economically distressed areas. The Council replaces the existing U.S. Manufacturing Council and will operate for five years from its first meeting.