Maddy summarySRES 795 is a Senate resolution expressing strong disapproval of the Department of Education's delayed implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act for the 2024-2025 academic year. The resolution cites specific issues, including the FAFSA application launching on December 31 (instead of the usual October 1), delayed data transmission to colleges until March, and resulting financial aid delays past National College Decision Day on May 1. This directly affected students - particularly those in foster care or experiencing homelessness - by reducing their time to compare college financial options. The resolution calls on the Department to address rollout problems for future cycles and testify to Congress, but it does not create new policy or funding changes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 800 is a symbolic Senate resolution introduced on August 1, 2024, by a bipartisan group of senators. It condemns the July 13, 2024, attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally and honors three individuals affected: Corey D. Comperatore (who died shielding his family), David Dutch (critically injured), and James Copenhaver (critically injured). The resolution calls for national unity and civility following the violent incident. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's stance on the event.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 802) designates August 2024 as "National Catfish Month" to recognize the U.S. catfish industry. It highlights the industry's economic impact - supporting nearly 10,000 jobs and generating over $1.9 billion in annual output - and emphasizes that U.S. farm-raised catfish is the largest domestic seafood product by weight. The resolution also acknowledges workers in the industry and the sustainability of U.S. catfish production. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to honor the industry's contributions.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes tax rules for property owners by shifting depreciation timelines for nonresidential (e.g., office buildings) and residential rental properties (e.g., apartment buildings) from 39 years to a 20-year recovery period. It adds a "neutral cost recovery" mechanism that adjusts annual tax deductions based on economic inflation (using GDP deflator data), ensuring deductions stay aligned with economic conditions. Property owners will see annual deduction amounts recalculated using this formula, which accounts for inflation since the property was placed in service. The changes apply to properties placed in service after the bill’s enactment date. This is a tax code adjustment affecting commercial and rental real estate investors, not a direct supply chain or worker-focused policy.
Maddy summaryS 4958 requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to withdraw a specific federal energy efficiency standard for new housing financed by these agencies (89 Fed. Reg. 33112). The bill mandates that these agencies revert to the previous energy efficiency standards and prohibits them from using federal funds to implement or enforce this withdrawn standard or any substantially similar rule. It also extends this prohibition to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), preventing them from finalizing or enforcing similar energy efficiency standards for housing. This bill directly affects federal housing programs and agencies that set energy efficiency requirements for new construction.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor U.S. and Filipino military personnel who defended Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu during World War II, as well as the impacted Saskinax̂ people of Attu who were imprisoned by Japan. The medal, designed by the Secretary of the Treasury, would be presented by congressional leaders and permanently displayed at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover production costs, with proceeds returned to the U.S. Mint. The bill recognizes historical service through a commemorative medal without creating new benefits or entitlements.
Maddy summarySRES 788 is a Senate resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal, Inc. (a nonprofit organization founded in 1971). It commemorates the group’s efforts to preserve the historic Wabash & Erie Canal - once the second-longest canal in the world - and its role in Indiana’s development. The resolution celebrates the canal as a significant historical landmark and acknowledges the nonprofit’s work maintaining trails, restoring bridges, operating a museum, and offering educational programs. This is a symbolic, non-binding resolution with no new policy or legal effect.
Maddy summarySJRES 104 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rule that established new fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars (for model years 2027 and beyond) and heavy-duty trucks (for model years 2030 and beyond). The rule, published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2024, would have required automakers to meet stricter emissions targets. If passed, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preserving current fuel economy standards. Introduced by multiple senators on July 30, 2024, it follows the congressional review process under Title 5, U.S. Code.
Maddy summaryS 4832, "Lulu’s Law," requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to amend regulations within 60 days of enactment to allow wireless emergency alerts about shark attacks. This change would directly affect residents and visitors in coastal areas where shark attacks are possible, enabling emergency alerts to be sent via phone. The bill’s key mechanism is updating FCC rules to explicitly include shark attacks as a category for emergency alerts under existing wireless notification systems.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the mastodon fossil (genus *Mammut*) as the national fossil of the United States under Title 36 of the U.S. Code. It amends existing law to add "national fossil" to the list of official U.S. symbols, alongside the national anthem, motto, floral emblem, and other designations. The bill has no practical policy impact - it is purely ceremonial and affects no individuals or organizations. It requires no new funding, regulations, or enforcement actions.