Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 510) expresses the Senate's support for respecting the FDA's scientific determination that mifepristone - a medication used for early pregnancy termination - is safe and effective. It calls for abortion care policies to be "equitable and based on science," emphasizing the FDA's authority to regulate the drug without interference, including its 2023 update allowing mail-order access. The resolution directly addresses the impact of state restrictions on medication abortion, noting that such policies disproportionately affect Black and Indigenous people, people of color, low-income individuals, rural communities, and other marginalized groups. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but urges alignment with FDA science to protect access to this time-sensitive care.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, the READINESS Act (S 3530), provides federal agencies with specific options to support employees who are spouses of military members or Foreign Service officers facing a permanent relocation due to their spouse's assignment. It requires agencies to either allow full-time remote work (if job duties permit), transfer the employee to a similar position near the new duty station, or place them in nonpay, non-duty status for up to 36 months. The law applies to permanent federal employees who relocate because their spouse (a military member or Foreign Service officer) is assigned to a new permanent duty station. Agencies must report all requests and actions taken to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) annually, with OPM then submitting a consolidated report to Congress. The bill focuses on accommodating these employees' relocation needs through flexible work arrangements or temporary status, without creating new entitlements.
Maddy summaryThe Amended Sensible Classification Act of 2023 requires federal agencies to automatically review for declassification any classified records over 25 years old that are requested under FOIA or similar processes, unless the agency head certifies to Congress that declassification would harm national security. It mandates training for agency employees to prevent over-classification (classifying information at a higher level than necessary) and requires agencies to study whether they need to grant certain security clearances, with reports to Congress on minimizing personnel with access to classified information. The bill also directs the development of technology solutions for better classification and declassification systems across government agencies. These provisions apply to all federal agencies with classification authority, affecting how government handles classified information and security clearances.
Maddy summaryS 3509, the Healthy MOM Act, creates a special enrollment period for pregnant individuals in health insurance plans, allowing them to enroll when they report their pregnancy to their insurer or healthcare provider (effective for plan years after December 2024). It requires group health plans and insurers to cover maternity care - including pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum services - for all dependents, regardless of age. The bill also mandates 12-month continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pregnant and postpartum individuals (starting in 2025), replacing shorter coverage periods. This directly affects pregnant individuals, their dependents, health insurers, and Medicaid/CHIP programs by expanding access to timely coverage and mandated maternity benefits.
Maddy summaryThe Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (S 1418) strengthens privacy protections for children under 13 and teens aged 12-17 online. It requires websites, apps, and connected devices that target children or teens, or are reasonably likely to be used by them, to obtain verifiable consent from parents for children and from teens themselves for those aged 12-17 before collecting personal information. The bill prohibits targeted marketing to children and teens, establishes a "Digital Marketing Bill of Rights for Teens," and creates a Youth Privacy and Marketing Division within the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these rules. It also sets out specific Fair Information Practices Principles requiring transparency, data accuracy, security, and proper data disposal for children's and teens' personal information.
Maddy summaryThe Kids Online Safety Act requires social media platforms and other online services used by minors to implement safety features protecting children under 17. It mandates default privacy controls, limits addictive features like automatic media playback, restricts advertising of harmful products (tobacco, gambling, alcohol) to minors, and requires annual transparency reports about online risks. Platforms with over 10 million monthly U.S. users must provide parental tools, conduct independent audits, and make de-identified data available for research on online harms. The bill focuses on preventing mental health disorders, bullying, sexual exploitation, and addictive behaviors through platform design changes.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 492) honoring the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. It expresses the Senate's condolences for her passing and recognizes her lifetime of humanitarian work, including her advocacy for mental health care, founding of caregiver support programs, and service with The Carter Center. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2023.
Maddy summaryThis resolution commends NATO's 2023 Vilnius Summit adoption of comprehensive regional defense plans and urges all NATO allies to align their defense spending with these plans, specifically maintaining or exceeding the 2% of GDP defense spending target. It supports allies meeting this target (with 11 members doing so as of 2023), encourages continued resource allocation for new equipment, and calls for swift ratification of Sweden's NATO membership. The resolution is a non-binding expression of support from the U.S. Senate, not a policy change affecting specific groups or requiring new funding.
Maddy summaryThe Farewell to Foam Act of 2023 bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene food service ware (like takeout containers and cups), expanded polystyrene loose fill (packing peanuts), and expanded polystyrene coolers starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects food service providers (restaurants, grocery stores, schools), manufacturers, distributors, and retailers selling these products. Violations require written warnings for first offenses, with escalating civil penalties starting at $250 for repeat violations, though small businesses with lower annual revenue face limits on how often penalties apply. The bill excludes coolers used for medical or drug storage, focusing the ban solely on consumer food and packaging items.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires phone calls and texts to 9-8-8 (the national suicide prevention hotline) to be routed to the nearest participating crisis center based on the caller's location, rather than a single national center. It mandates that phone providers transmit all 9-8-8 calls/texts (including from phones without service plans) and protects caller privacy by preventing precise location disclosure. The bill affects mobile service providers (who must implement routing), crisis centers (who receive localized calls), and callers (who get geographically relevant support). It also updates phone system rules to allow direct dialing to 9-8-8, with implementation deadlines for providers and systems.