Sen. Chris Van Hollen

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce three commemorative coins honoring Roberto Clemente: $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar clad coins, with specified quantities (50,000 gold, 400,000 silver, 750,000 half-dollars). The coins must feature Clemente’s image and include inscriptions like "Roberto Clemente" and "2027," with surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin respectively) funding the Roberto Clemente Foundation for youth sports, education, and disaster relief. All coins must be sold between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027, at face value plus surcharge, with the foundation audited for fund use. The legislation affects no citizens or policies - it solely creates a commemorative coin program.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 118 would block a proposed sale of U.S. military equipment to the United Arab Emirates. The resolution specifically targets the sale of 259 rocket pods (containing 1,554 missiles) and 203 missile systems, plus related training and support services. This resolution invokes the Arms Export Control Act, which requires Congress to review major arms sales before they proceed. If enacted, it would prevent the U.S. government from finalizing this specific defense deal with the UAE.

Maddy summaryThis resolution supports designating a National Move Over Law Day to raise public awareness about move over laws. These laws require drivers to move over a lane or slow down when passing emergency vehicles or roadside incidents, which helps protect traffic responders (like police and EMTs) who are often struck while working. The resolution urges organizations to promote these laws and educate the public on their importance, following a 2023 report showing 45 responders were killed in roadside collisions. It does not create new legal requirements but focuses on increasing public compliance through awareness.

Maddy summarySRES 914 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for National Adoption Day (November 23, 2024) and National Adoption Month (November 2024). It promotes public awareness of children awaiting adoption in foster care, celebrates adoption families, and encourages Americans to support child safety and permanency. The resolution does not create new policies or alter existing laws; it is a non-binding statement of support. It directly affects public awareness and national recognition of adoption efforts, not specific individuals or programs.

Maddy summarySRES 915 designates September 2024 as "National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month" to highlight prostate cancer prevention and early detection. The resolution encourages the public, healthcare providers, and organizations to promote awareness, support research for better screening and treatments, and improve access to care for men affected by prostate cancer. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but serves as a symbolic call to action, acknowledging that prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 U.S. men and is the second-leading cause of cancer death among men. This resolution directly affects all Americans, particularly men at risk for prostate cancer, by promoting education and community efforts during the designated month.

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 National Institutes of Clean Energy Act of 2024 establishes a new agency within the Department of Energy by 2028 to fund clean energy research and development. It authorizes $40 billion over 10 years (2025-2034) for projects focused on reducing emissions, building climate resilience, and addressing environmental injustices. The Institutes must prioritize research in advanced energy technologies, climate science, and impacts on frontline communities (including communities of color and low-income areas disproportionately affected by pollution), while supporting job creation in unionized sectors. Key projects include microgrids, energy storage, electric vehicles, and long-duration grid storage, with funding directed to public universities, land-grant institutions, and minority-serving colleges.

Maddy summaryS 5376 prohibits U.S. sales and export licenses for specific defense articles to the United Arab Emirates until the President certifies the UAE is not supplying weapons to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces. It applies to military equipment listed in certain categories of the U.S. Munitions List (specifically Categories I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XIV, XVI, XVII, and XVIII). The bill would block these exports starting upon enactment, requiring congressional notification before any certification is provided.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site at the Baltimore elementary school he attended (Public School 103, 1315 Division Street), preserving it as a museum operated by the nonprofit Beloved Community Services Corporation. The site will be managed as an "affiliated area" of the National Park System, with the National Park Service providing technical and financial assistance through cooperative agreements but not owning the property or taking over operations. The bill ensures the school remains privately managed while allowing the Park Service to support its interpretation and preservation for public education. This is a commemorative measure focused on historical preservation, not a policy change affecting residents or laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) by repealing recent restrictions on its appropriations. It directs the State Department to immediately resume funding for UNRWA, which provides essential aid - including 80% of humanitarian assistance in Gaza - to over 5 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The bill emphasizes UNRWA’s critical role in preventing famine and disease during Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, citing the agency’s implementation of reforms following an independent review. It requires quarterly reports on UNRWA’s progress implementing neutrality recommendations.