Sen. Chris Van Hollen

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week beginning September 8, 2024, as "National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week" in the U.S. Senate. It directly recognizes direct support professionals - such as personal assistants and in-home support workers - who provide essential daily care and community support for people with disabilities. The resolution highlights their critical role in enabling community inclusion and independence, though it does not create new policies or funding. As a symbolic gesture, it aims to honor their contributions without altering existing laws or addressing workforce challenges like low wages.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 820) symbolically supports designating September 21-28, 2024, as "National Estuaries Week" to raise public awareness about estuaries. It highlights estuaries' ecological and economic importance - such as supporting jobs, protecting coastlines, and sustaining biodiversity - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution expresses the Senate's backing for protecting and restoring estuaries but does not impose obligations or alter existing policies. It is a procedural statement, not a substantive legislative measure.

Maddy summarySRES 814 designates September 2024 as "National Literacy Month" through a symbolic Senate resolution. It urges federal, state, local governments, schools, libraries, nonprofits, businesses, and citizens to observe the month with programs and activities focused on literacy. The resolution highlights widespread literacy challenges in the U.S. (including low adult reading proficiency and economic impacts) but does not create new laws, funding, or enforceable requirements. It serves as a non-binding call for awareness and coordinated efforts to address literacy needs. This is a procedural resolution, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThe CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act (S 5033) reauthorizes federal grants to colleges and universities to support child care for student parents. It provides $500 million annually (2025-2030) for institutions to establish or subsidize campus-based child care, sliding-fee-scale services, or before/after-school programs for eligible student parents. To qualify, students must be enrolled at participating colleges with significant Pell Grant recipients and meet specific financial criteria. Institutions must report on program outcomes, demographics, and quality standards, while prohibiting use of funds for construction (except repairs) or adding extra eligibility barriers beyond Pell Grant status.

Maddy summaryThe Carbon Scoring Act of 2024 requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to develop new modeling capabilities to track greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors (power, transportation, industry, buildings) by specific deadlines, starting with power sector models by 2025. The CBO must publish annual reports on these models and an annual emissions baseline estimate starting in 2025, including projections for climate-related costs. For bills containing climate-related provisions (like emissions taxes or caps), the CBO must provide estimates of their emissions impact and climate cost savings or expenses, calculated using the "social cost" of greenhouse gases. This bill directly affects the CBO (which receives $20 million annually for this work) and lawmakers who will use these analyses when considering climate-focused legislation.

Maddy summaryThe Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act of 2024 imposes a tax on fossil fuel companies based on historical carbon emissions exceeding 1 billion metric tons during 2000-2022. The tax revenue will fund a new Climate Fund to support climate resilience projects, disaster response, and environmental justice initiatives, with 40% of resources required for environmental justice communities. The bill mandates specific minimum funding levels for FEMA climate disaster programs and Clean Air Act environmental programs. The legislation explicitly states it does not affect existing legal claims against polluters or preempt state climate regulations.

Maddy summarySRES 809 is a Senate resolution designating September 13, 2024, as "National Sepsis Day" to align with the international observance of "World Sepsis Day." The resolution expresses support for raising public awareness about sepsis - a serious condition causing approximately 350,000 U.S. deaths annually - and emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect any individuals or programs; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage education and attention toward sepsis prevention. The resolution was introduced by Senators Schumer and Van Hollen and referred to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to include college students who meet specific criteria, such as participating in work-study programs or meeting financial requirements. It creates a demonstration program to test new ways for students to use SNAP benefits on campus, including purchasing prepared foods from campus dining facilities without needing to buy a meal plan. The bill requires federal agencies to share data to identify students who might qualify for nutrition assistance and mandates institutions of higher education to provide information about available benefits. It also authorizes $1 billion in grants over seven years to support campus-based programs addressing food insecurity, housing instability, and other basic needs for students. The bill would directly affect millions of college students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, by making it easier to access food assistance while attending college.

Maddy summaryS 4973, the "No Kings Act," removes presidential and vice presidential immunity from federal criminal prosecution, requiring such cases to be handled in federal district courts with appeals limited to the D.C. Circuit. The bill specifically bars the Supreme Court from reviewing cases involving claims of presidential immunity for official acts, including dismissals of indictments or overturning convictions. It directly affects current and former presidents and vice presidents by subjecting them to the same federal criminal accountability as all other citizens. Key provisions prevent courts from considering whether alleged crimes were part of official duties unless Congress specifies otherwise, and clarify that state criminal laws remain applicable.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to affirm that no person, including the President and other federal officials, is above the law. It would require all officials holding authority under the U.S. government to be subject to ordinary criminal prosecution for both official and unofficial actions. The amendment mandates that general laws apply to the President unless specified otherwise and grants Congress power to enforce this by, for example, extending the statute of limitations for prosecuting a sitting President during their term. If ratified by three-fourths of states, this change would become part of the Constitution, altering how federal law applies to high-level government officials.