Maddy summaryThe Union Members Right to Know Act requires labor unions to provide members and nonmembers who pay dues as a condition of employment with clear information about their rights. Unions must mail or email a copy of the bill and summaries of key rights - including religious accommodation options (not paying dues based on religious beliefs) and the Supreme Court's *Beck* decision (allowing objections to dues used for political activities) - within 30 days for new members and within one year for existing members, with annual updates. Unions must also maintain a website link to this information. Additionally, unions cannot use dues for non-representational activities (e.g., political advocacy) without a member's written authorization, which expires after one year and cannot be automatically renewed.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal, state, and local governments from requiring handguns to include specific features not commonly found on standard firearms. It bans mandates for load indicators, magazine insertion mechanisms, microstamping capabilities, or any devices that could perform these functions. The law directly affects handgun manufacturers and government agencies that might seek to impose such requirements. It prevents new regulations on firearm design without creating new safety standards or altering existing gun laws.
Maddy summaryS 5280, the Improving IRS Customer Service Act, requires the IRS to provide real-time transparency for taxpayers about processing delays and phone wait times. The bill mandates a public dashboard showing average processing dates for tax filings (like returns) and detailed phone metrics (e.g., wait times, callback availability) for high-volume IRS lines. It also expands electronic access to real-time refund status and document history via a website/app, and creates a program to inform taxpayers facing economic hardship about payment alternatives before they request installment agreements. These changes directly affect millions of taxpayers interacting with the IRS and aim to improve service through clearer, timely information.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission, a 17-member body (including at least 2 veterans) with expertise in healthcare systems. The Commission must annually review key aspects of VA healthcare operations - including wait times, quality of care, IT systems, staffing, and budget trends - and submit nonpartisan reports to Congress by March 15 each year. It has authority to collect data from VA and other agencies, consult with congressional committees, and analyze budget impacts before making recommendations. The commission directly affects how the VA delivers healthcare services to veterans and informs congressional oversight of veterans' health programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - 223 women who served as Army Signal Corps telephone operators in WWI. They connected 26 million calls in France, worked 12-hour shifts under combat conditions, and were denied veteran benefits for 60 years despite wearing uniforms and facing combat hazards. The medal recognizes their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and the decades-long struggle for recognition as soldiers. It directs the Treasury to strike the medal and place it in the Smithsonian for public display at institutions like the National WWI Museum.
Maddy summarySRES 848 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating September 23-27, 2024, as "National Hazing Awareness Week." It does not create new laws or requirements but formally recognizes the issue of hazing in college settings. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about hazing, which directly affects college students participating in campus organizations, as highlighted by statistics showing 55% of students in extracurricular activities reported experiencing hazing. The bill encourages nationwide observance through education and prevention efforts, emphasizing that awareness should extend beyond a single week.
Maddy summaryThis resolution calls on Congress, schools, and state/local educational agencies to acknowledge dyslexia's significant impact on learning, particularly its effect on reading skills. It designates October 2024 as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month" to highlight the need for early screening and evidence-based support. The resolution emphasizes that dyslexia - a common learning disability affecting up to 1 in 5 people - requires focused intervention to help students achieve reading fluency and academic success. It does not create new laws but urges educational institutions to prioritize addressing dyslexia's educational challenges.
Maddy summarySRES 838 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating November 17, 2024, as "National Warrior Call Day." It aims to raise awareness about veteran and military member mental health by emphasizing the importance of peer-to-peer connections during transition from service. The resolution cites statistics showing high veteran suicide rates (33.9 per 100,000 in 2021) and encourages all Americans to reach out to veterans or active-duty personnel for support. It does not create new laws or funding but urges public engagement through "making a warrior call" to prevent isolation. This resolution directly affects public awareness and voluntary actions, not specific individuals or programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to evaluate ways to simplify cost-effectiveness calculations for several key disaster mitigation grant programs, including FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and flood mitigation assistance. FEMA must complete this evaluation within 360 days, consult with state, local, tribal, and nonprofit groups, and submit a report to Congress detailing findings and proposed improvements. The bill does not change existing cost-effectiveness rules but focuses on reducing administrative complexity for applicants. It directly affects FEMA and the agencies/communities applying for hazard mitigation funding under the specified programs.
Maddy summaryThe STRATEGIC Act of 2024 establishes a comprehensive framework to counter the People's Republic of China's influence through expanded regulations, sanctions, and oversight measures. The bill directly affects U.S. institutions by prohibiting gifts and contracts from certain Chinese entities, requiring think tanks to disclose foreign funding, and restricting visa issuance for senior Chinese officials. Key mechanisms include amendments to the Foreign Agents Registration Act to strengthen enforcement, creation of new funds to counter Chinese influence, and requirements for reporting on climate cooperation and military installations. The legislation also establishes new oversight for science and technology agreements with China, creates a special envoy office for critical technologies, and implements sanctions against entities involved in South China Sea activities and intellectual property theft.