Maddy summaryThe EACH Act of 2023 requires federal health programs - including Medicaid, Medicare, the Indian Health Service, and others - to cover abortion services regardless of income or insurance type. It directly affects millions of low-income individuals, women of color (who are disproportionately enrolled in Medicaid), LGBTQ+ people, and people in states that currently restrict abortion coverage. Key provisions mandate that all federally funded health programs provide abortion coverage (Section 4), repeal a prior law restricting abortion coverage in private insurance (Section 5), and prohibit federal interference with private insurance coverage of abortion services. The bill aims to remove financial barriers to abortion care by ensuring coverage through federal programs and private plans.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Access to AEDs Act (S 1024) provides $25 million in federal funding over five years (2024-2028) to help public elementary and secondary schools improve access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training. It authorizes grants for schools to purchase AEDs, train students and staff, develop emergency response plans, and partner with health organizations - such as local hospitals or fire departments - to implement these programs. The bill also requires the creation of a national database to track school AED access and share best practices, aiming to support immediate response during cardiac emergencies. This directly affects schools, students, and school staff by enhancing preparedness for sudden cardiac arrest, which the bill cites as a leading cause of death among young athletes and children.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal "National Parkinson’s Project" under the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate efforts across agencies in preventing, treating, and curing Parkinson’s disease and related conditions. It requires an integrated national plan, annual progress assessments, and a public Advisory Council - including patient advocates, researchers, and healthcare providers - to guide strategy and recommend actions. The project mandates data sharing among federal agencies and biannual reports to Congress evaluating federally funded Parkinson’s programs, aiming to improve care coordination, reduce financial burdens on Medicare and families, and advance research on environmental triggers. The law directly affects people living with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and federal health agencies involved in research and patient services. The initiative is scheduled to sunset in 2035.
This resolution designates March 2023 as National Women's History Month. The resolution also recognizes the celebration of such month as a time to reflect on the contributions that women have made to the United States.
Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution (SRES 128) condemns the Russian Federation for kidnapping Ukrainian children, citing evidence of at least 6,000 children removed from Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion, with many forced into Russian citizenship and adoption under relaxed laws. It specifically rebukes nations supporting Russia's actions and condemns forced adoptions violating international child protection standards. The resolution calls on Russia to cooperate with international organizations to return all children to Ukraine immediately. As a symbolic statement, it does not alter U.S. law or impose sanctions but formally expresses congressional opposition to these actions.
Maddy summaryThe International Human Rights Defense Act of 2023 establishes a permanent Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ human rights at the Department of State to lead U.S. foreign policy efforts addressing discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ people globally. The bill requires the Special Envoy to develop an annual global strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals, with mandatory reporting on countries that criminalize same-sex relationships or discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. It directs U.S. foreign assistance to support programs that protect LGBTQI+ rights, including health initiatives addressing HIV/AIDS in LGBTQI+ communities, and requires training for U.S. personnel and foreign officials on LGBTQI+ rights issues. The bill also mandates regular congressional briefings on the status of LGBTQI+ rights worldwide and U.S. government efforts to address abuses.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the HERO Corps Program (previously called the HERO Child-Rescue Corps) within the Homeland Security Act to explicitly include investigating fentanyl trafficking alongside its existing focus on child exploitation. The key change adds "fentanyl trafficking" to the program's authorized investigative activities, allowing participants to prioritize this issue. A new provision limits fentanyl trafficking investigations to no more than 40% of the program's total investigative work. The bill directly affects the HERO Corps Program participants and their assigned investigative priorities.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to study whether the Universal Service Fund (USF) - which helps fund broadband access in rural and low-income areas - should expand who pays into it. Within 120 days of enactment, the FCC must complete this study and report findings to Congress, then propose new rules within a year to reform the USF contribution system. The key mechanism is expanding the USF's funding base to ensure costs are shared fairly between consumers and businesses, while considering impacts on seniors. It directly affects telecom companies currently required to contribute to the USF, but does not change how the fund distributes support.
STOP Act 2.0 This bill revises requirements related to advance electronic data (AED) on international mail shipments. (The STOP Act of 2018 requires international mail shipments coming into the United States to have AED to address the threat of synthetic opioids and other dangerous items.) Specifically, the bill establishes a new criminal penalty for knowingly misrepresenting the country of origin of an international mail shipment in order to avoid AED requirements. Additionally, five years after enactment, the bill terminates U.S. Customs and Border Protection's authority to exclude countries from AED requirements. The bill establishes additional reporting requirements related to AED, including a requirement for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report the results of randomized tests of packages entering the United States. Further, the bill authorizes DHS, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Postal Service to enter into partnerships with private parcel services or other private information technology entities to develop technology and processes for identifying the origin of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances. The bill also authorizes DHS to share with and receive information from foreign governments regarding (1) shippers with a history of transporting illegal substances, and (2) best practices for detecting the substances. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must train its officers in detecting illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Finally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the implementation of the STOP Act of 2018.
Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCONRES 8) expresses Congress's formal opinion that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies - mutual aid organizations operating under IRS Section 501(c)(8) - have long provided essential community benefits. It highlights that these societies, with approximately 7 million members nationwide, contribute over $3.8 billion annually through charitable work, volunteerism, and financial security programs. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to support their mission and relieve pressure on government safety net programs. As a non-binding statement of congressional sentiment, it does not change tax law or create new obligations.