Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin

Maddy summarySRES 445 is a Senate resolution recognizing the U.S.-Israel economic relationship and affirming that trade under the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement (signed in 1985) can support Israel's economy during the Hamas conflict. It highlights that bilateral trade has grown significantly since 1985, with the U.S. being Israel’s largest trading partner in 2022 ($14.2 billion in U.S. exports to Israel). The resolution states the agreement has fostered robust trade, investment (e.g., $10.6 billion in Israeli U.S. investments in 2022), and job creation, and urges maintaining this economic partnership amid the conflict. It does not create new policy but formally endorses existing trade mechanisms as a support tool.

Maddy summaryThe EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act (S 3390) requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to change how it purchases food, directing it to prioritize foods from specific groups and categories. It mandates USDA to increase purchases from beginning/veteran/socially disadvantaged farmers, foods supporting worker rights (like unionized vendors), climate-friendly options (with deforestation policies), and diversified supply chains (like local food hubs). The bill also requires annual public reports tracking spending across these categories and greenhouse gas emissions from USDA food procurement. This directly affects USDA’s $10+ billion annual food procurement programs, impacting small farms, food banks, school meal programs, and food suppliers nationwide.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 481) expresses the U.S. Senate's support for Stomach Cancer Awareness Month in November 2023. It highlights that stomach cancer is difficult to detect early (with a 35.7% 5-year survival rate), affects over 26,500 people annually in the U.S., and disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities. The resolution encourages public awareness efforts, education for patients and healthcare providers, and additional research into early detection and treatment, while urging states and localities to support the month's goals. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds.

Maddy summaryS 3368, the Mongolia Third Neighbor Trade Act, would grant U.S. duty-free treatment for certain Mongolian products entering the U.S., primarily focusing on apparel and textiles containing at least 23% cashmere by weight or 51% cashmere value. It directly affects Mongolian exporters of cashmere products (which account for a significant portion of Mongolia's economy) and U.S. importers of these goods, requiring Mongolia to meet specific eligibility criteria like environmental compliance and adherence to labor standards. Key provisions include strict origin requirements (e.g., yarn/fabric must be wholly produced in Mongolia) and annual verification to prevent transshipment of goods. The bill expires on December 31, 2029, and mandates annual U.S. presidential briefings to Congress on implementation and Mongolia's trade compliance.

Maddy summaryThe Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act of 2023 directs the U.S. Department of Education to provide guidance to colleges and universities on removing criminal and juvenile justice history questions from admissions applications. It recommends institutions evaluate whether such questions are necessary, and if kept, requires specific safeguards like delaying inquiries until after admission decisions and training staff on handling this information fairly. The bill also mandates training for admissions, financial aid, and campus employment staff on supporting students with justice system involvement, and establishes a resource center for best practices. This policy directly affects higher education institutions and applicants with criminal or juvenile records, aiming to reduce barriers to college access. The guidance focuses on concrete changes to application processes, not on altering enrollment outcomes or funding.

Maddy summaryThe PREP Act creates a dedicated Office of Prison Education within the Bureau of Prisons to improve educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals in Federal correctional facilities. The office will coordinate quality programs including adult literacy, high school equivalency, postsecondary education, and workforce development, while collecting data on outcomes like recidivism and employment. The bill authorizes $170 million annually (2024-2030) for these programs and establishes a repository of research and best practices for State and local correctional systems. This legislation directly affects Federal prison inmates by expanding educational opportunities designed to improve post-release outcomes and reduce recidivism.

Maddy summaryThe Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2023 authorizes $500 million to $1 billion annually to expand community schools that provide comprehensive student and family support. The bill targets schools with at least 40% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch or schools identified for improvement, requiring them to establish leadership teams with parent, educator, and community representation. It mandates schools receiving funds to provide integrated student supports (including health services), expanded learning opportunities, family engagement activities, and collaborative leadership structures that address academic, social, and emotional needs. The legislation requires schools to track progress on student outcomes including academic achievement, mental health, school climate, and family engagement, with a focus on reducing achievement gaps for historically marginalized students.

Maddy summaryS 3356, the Postal Police Reform Act of 2023, clarifies the duties of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) police officers. It specifies that these officers protect mail, USPS-owned or controlled property, people on that property, and USPS employees on duty anywhere in the U.S. The bill revises existing law to explicitly state that officers may act beyond USPS property when necessary to fulfill these protective duties. It also corrects a minor typo in the legal reference. This bill directly affects USPS police officers by defining their scope of responsibility more precisely.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare to improve outreach about coverage for opioid use disorder treatment (including telehealth) to beneficiaries and providers, with tailored efforts for at-risk seniors. It mandates collecting specific data on Medicare beneficiaries receiving medication-assisted treatment (including behavioral therapy) and identifying underserved geographic areas. The Secretary must evaluate outreach effectiveness, report findings to Congress, and convene stakeholders to share best practices on treatment integration. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder, particularly seniors, by aiming to increase access to covered treatment services.

Maddy summaryThe Women's Business Centers Improvement Act of 2023 amends the Small Business Act to strengthen support for women-owned small businesses through an enhanced Women's Business Center Program. The bill authorizes the Small Business Administration to provide grants to eligible entities (including nonprofits, educational institutions, and economic development organizations) to operate centers that offer counseling and training on business management, financial operations, marketing, and access to capital specifically for women entrepreneurs. The program requires matching funds (1:2 in the first two years, then 1:1), establishes accreditation standards, and mandates annual reporting on program effectiveness, with $31.5 million authorized annually for fiscal years 2024-2027. These centers must prioritize serving women who are both socially and economically disadvantaged, aiming to help them start, maintain, or grow their businesses.