Sen. Roger Marshall

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.

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 STOP Act bans gender transition procedures for minors under 18, including cross-sex hormones and surgeries (like genital or non-genital procedures), with exceptions for medical conditions like disorders of sex development. It imposes $100,000 civil penalties per violation on providers, employers, or others facilitating such procedures, and creates a federal grant program to fund services supporting "detransition" (reversing transition). The law directly affects minors seeking gender transition care, healthcare providers, and employers who may facilitate referrals. Key mechanisms include the explicit prohibitions, financial penalties, and the new grant program for detransition support services. The bill does not cover standard medical treatments for conditions like precocious puberty or disorders of sex development.

Maddy summarySRES 909 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating November 21, 2024, as "National Rural Health Day." It formally recognizes the contributions of rural health care providers and the unique challenges faced by rural communities, including hospital closures and access barriers. The resolution celebrates rural health care workers and the millions they serve, while expressing the Senate's commitment to improving rural health care accessibility and affordability. This is a ceremonial designation with no new policy or funding changes.

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 summarySRES 903 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating November 8, 2024, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day." It expresses support for recognizing first-generation college students - those whose parents did not earn bachelor's degrees - and honors the anniversary of the 1965 Higher Education Act, which established key programs like Federal TRIO and Pell Grants. The resolution urges all Americans to celebrate this day, acknowledge first-gen students' contributions to the workforce, and recognize the Higher Education Act's role in supporting underrepresented students. It has no funding or policy changes, serving solely as a symbolic observance.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 902) honoring the late Senator Timothy Peter Johnson of South Dakota, who died after a long career in public service. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and send a copy to his family, and calls for the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is purely a formal expression of respect for a former senator. The resolution commemorates his decades of service, including his time as Chairman of the Banking Committee and his return to work after a serious health setback.

Maddy summaryThe Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act amends federal disaster aid law to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation. This change adds "political affiliation" to the list of protected characteristics - alongside race, sex, religion, and economic status - in all disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act. It ensures individuals cannot be denied or delayed in receiving federal aid (such as FEMA assistance after natural disasters) due to their political views, party membership, or voting history. The bill applies directly to federal agencies administering disaster relief, requiring them to evaluate eligibility solely based on non-discriminatory factors.

Maddy summaryS 5401, the Workforce Data Enhancement Act, creates a new grant program to help state workforce agencies improve how they collect and share data. It directs states to integrate education, job training, and employment outcome data into statewide systems, focusing on skills, job trends, and emerging technologies like AI. States must prioritize privacy, data security, and real-time updates on in-demand jobs while using no more than 10% of existing workforce funding. The bill requires states to submit detailed plans for data integration, workforce partnerships, and long-term sustainability of these systems. This directly affects state workforce agencies and their ability to track labor market needs for better decision-making.