Sen. Chris Van Hollen

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to help states combat financial fraud targeting seniors aged 62 and older. It authorizes the SEC to award competitive grants (up to $500,000 annually per state agency, or $1 million for agencies handling both securities and insurance functions) to state securities commissions and insurance departments. Grant funds can be used for hiring staff to investigate fraud, training law enforcement, creating senior education materials, and developing state anti-fraud plans - but cannot cover general administrative costs. The program, funded at $10 million yearly from 2025-2030, requires states to report on grant usage and program effectiveness through annual audits and biennial evaluations.

Maddy summaryThe Expanding Disability Access to Higher Education Act aims to improve college access and success for students with disabilities, particularly those who are low-income or first-generation college students. It creates new funding for programs that provide academic support, accommodations, and transition services specifically for these students through amendments to the Higher Education Act. The bill requires institutions to establish or improve disability services offices, mandates data collection on how programs serve students with disabilities, and authorizes $50 million annually for these programs from 2025-2029. It requires at least two-thirds of students served to be low-income and first-generation, while also ensuring accommodations are available and programs incorporate universal design principles. The legislation also establishes new reporting requirements to track outcomes for students with disabilities across different disability categories.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends three federal student aid programs (Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and TEACH Grants) to adjust how enrollment is calculated for students with disabilities. It ensures that students with disabilities who have an approved reduced course load as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA or Rehabilitation Act can have that reduced load (minimum 5 credits) counted as full-time enrollment for calculating their cost of attendance and aid eligibility. This change applies specifically to the cost-of-attendance calculations used to determine grant amounts, not to semester eligibility rules. The bill directly affects qualifying students with disabilities enrolled in postsecondary education who require reduced course loads as part of their accommodations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisors. It directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to determine if state laws "substantially provide" for specific rights including the right to form unions, bargain collectively, and have interest impasse resolution mechanisms. If a state law doesn't meet these standards, the FLRA would administer collective bargaining for affected employees. The bill also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would disrupt emergency services and preserves existing collective bargaining agreements in place before the bill's enactment. It does not preempt state laws that already meet these minimum standards.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution recognizes growing global threats to press freedom, citing statistics such as 521 journalists imprisoned worldwide as of December 2023. It reaffirms the U.S. government's commitment to supporting press freedom as a priority in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance. The resolution calls for the immediate release of wrongfully detained journalists and condemns all actions that suppress press freedom around the world. Issued in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2024, it serves as a formal statement of the Senate's position on press freedom without creating new laws.

Maddy summarySRES 693 is a Senate resolution recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the historical contributions of these communities to U.S. history. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of their achievements, growth (including demographic data and key anniversaries like the 50th anniversary of *Lau v. Nichols*), and ongoing challenges like anti-Asian hate crimes. It directly honors these communities and aims to raise awareness of their diverse impacts on American society.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the American Battlefield Protection Program to expand eligibility for preservation grants and improve reporting. It allows States, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofits - not just state/local entities - to receive funding for battlefield land acquisition and restoration. The bill clarifies that eligible sites must be identified in the existing Battlefield Reports (Civil War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 reports) and excludes "associated historic sites." It also requires the Secretary to submit updated battlefield condition reports to Congress every 10 years, starting two years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2024 requires the Transportation Security Administration to transition its workforce from its current personnel management system to the standard federal employee system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by December 31, 2024, while protecting employees from pay or benefit reductions during the transition. The bill preserves existing leave, retirement benefits, and collective bargaining rights for screening agents, and includes specific provisions for Federal air marshals regarding pay and benefits. It mandates consultation with labor representatives during the transition and requires several reports on workforce conditions, including recruitment efforts, workplace safety, and employee satisfaction.

Maddy summaryS 4300 restricts U.S. call center employers from moving operations overseas or outsourcing work to foreign entities without 120 days' notice to the Labor Secretary. It creates a public list of violators, barring them from federal grants or loans for 5 years, and requires federal contracts to keep call center work in the U.S. The bill also mandates that businesses disclose their physical location at the start of customer service calls (with exceptions for U.S.-based teams or emergencies) and allows customers to request transfers to U.S.-based agents. These rules apply to businesses employing 50+ call center workers (full-time equivalent) and are enforced by the Labor Secretary and Federal Trade Commission.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 677) is a symbolic gesture recognizing U.S. teachers' contributions to civic, cultural, and economic well-being. It thanks teachers for their work, especially amid challenges like pandemic learning loss and student mental health support, and encourages students, parents, and officials to observe National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10, 2024). The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it solely promotes public acknowledgment of teachers during this annual observance. It directly affects teachers nationwide by affirming their role in national well-being through a non-binding Senate statement.