Sen. Angus S. King, Jr.

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 821 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for designating September 15-21, 2024, as "National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week." It aims to raise public awareness about the importance of adult education, workforce skills, and family literacy programs, which help address challenges like low literacy rates affecting employment, healthcare access, and child development. The resolution encourages public support for existing programs but does not create new funding or policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Defense to mandate all military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force) to use state extreme risk protection order (ERPO) programs when a commanding officer determines a service member poses a threat. It directly affects service members deemed "covered individuals" (those making serious threats of violence or meeting specific federal firearm restrictions). Key mechanisms include requiring military branches to share relevant facts with courts (overriding some privacy rules) and actively participate in ERPO proceedings to temporarily remove firearms during crises. The policy aims to integrate military crisis response with state gun safety measures without altering federal law.

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 Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act (S 5023) establishes a 12-member Advisory Committee to develop and coordinate a national strategy for preventing falls among older adults. The Committee, including federal agency representatives and external experts (like healthcare providers, caregivers, and housing specialists), will assess current federal falls prevention efforts, recommend pilot programs (such as Medicare coverage for home modifications), and advise on improving screening and public education campaigns. It requires annual data sharing across agencies and mandates regular reports to Congress every four years evaluating program outcomes and progress. The Committee will operate for 10 years, focusing on reducing fall-related injuries and healthcare costs for seniors through coordinated federal action.

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.

Maddy summarySRES 797 designates August 16, 2024, as National Airborne Day to honor the history and contributions of U.S. airborne forces, commemorating the first official U.S. Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940. The resolution calls on the American public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities recognizing airborne forces' legacy in military operations from World War II through modern conflicts. This is a symbolic, non-binding designation with no direct legal or financial impact on specific groups.

Maddy summarySRES 800 is a symbolic Senate resolution introduced on August 1, 2024, by a bipartisan group of senators. It condemns the July 13, 2024, attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally and honors three individuals affected: Corey D. Comperatore (who died shielding his family), David Dutch (critically injured), and James Copenhaver (critically injured). The resolution calls for national unity and civility following the violent incident. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's stance on the event.

Maddy summaryS 4929, the Lethal Means Safe Storage for Veteran Suicide Prevention Act, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement annual lethal means safety training for all VA health providers (including doctors, nurses, and Vet Center staff) and community care providers serving veterans. It also mandates VA to launch public education campaigns about safe firearm storage and suicide prevention, and establishes a $2 million grant program to provide free gun lock boxes or safes to veterans through states, veterans service organizations, or nonprofits. The grants, limited to $100,000 per entity and $2 million total, cannot collect veterans' personal information or require mandatory storage, and must comply with ASTM safety standards. This bill directly affects VA health providers and eligible veterans seeking firearm safety resources.