Sen. Tina Smith

Maddy summaryThe Choose Medicare Act (S 4231) would create "Medicare part E" plans available in individual, small group, and large group insurance markets. These plans would provide comprehensive coverage including essential health benefits, gold-level coverage, all reproductive services, and abortion coverage, with premiums adjusted by market type and location. The bill would establish $2 billion in startup funding for 2025, require employers to refer employees to health insurance navigators, and implement protections against high out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries. It would also expand premium assistance for lower-income individuals and establish new mechanisms to protect consumers from excessive insurance rates.

Maddy summaryThe Captive Primate Safety Act prohibits the trade, breeding, and possession of certain nonhuman primates - including chimpanzees, gorillas, lemurs, and other species - in interstate or foreign commerce. It directly affects private owners, breeders, and businesses involved in the primate trade, with exceptions for those who owned primates before the law's enactment (requiring 180-day registration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and restrictions on breeding/selling) and for registered research facilities. The law also exempts entities transporting primates to approved facilities. The U.S. Secretary of the Interior must issue implementing regulations within 180 days, but the prohibitions take effect immediately without them.

Maddy summaryThe Next Step Home Act restores voting rights in federal elections for U.S. citizens who have completed sentences for federal felony convictions after December 21, 2018. It directly affects people released from federal custody who have served their sentences, requiring federal agencies to notify them of their voting rights upon release. Key provisions include mandating notification by the Bureau of Prisons or probation officers, establishing legal remedies for voting denial, and tying federal prison funding to compliance with the law. The bill applies only to federal elections (not state/local), does not override state voting laws, and takes effect for elections after its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 657) that formally recognizes April 26, 2024, as National Arbor Day and celebrates its 152th anniversary. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups - it simply acknowledges the historical significance of Arbor Day, which began in 1872 as a day to promote tree planting and environmental stewardship. The resolution encourages all Americans to participate in Arbor Day activities, such as community tree-planting events, to support urban forestry and sustainable forest management. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal effect beyond expressing the Senate's support for this annual observance.

Maddy summarySRES 655 is a Senate resolution passed on April 18, 2024, to honor the late Joseph I. Lieberman, a former U.S. Senator from Connecticut (1988-2013), following his death. The resolution recognizes his career, including his role in creating the Department of Homeland Security, establishing the 9/11 Commission, and advocating for civil rights and environmental protections. It directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory and transmit a copy to his family, expressing the Senate's sorrow and respect. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, as it solely commemorates his legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the HOME Investment Partnerships Program with increased annual funding from $5 billion in 2024 to over $6 billion by 2028, providing states and local jurisdictions with resources to develop and preserve affordable housing. Key changes include eliminating a commitment deadline, modifying homeownership resale restrictions to better protect long-term affordability, requiring property inspections to ensure housing quality, and establishing a new home loan guarantee program with a $2 billion initial limit. The bill also adds specific protections for small-scale housing (with four or fewer units) and tenants, while strengthening enforcement mechanisms for compliance with program requirements. These reforms aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the program in creating and maintaining affordable housing across participating jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Predatory Investing Act disallows tax deductions for interest and depreciation on single-family rental properties owned by individuals or entities that own 50 or more such properties (defined as residential units with four or fewer dwellings, including townhouses as separate buildings). It applies to properties without low-income housing credits and excludes properties constructed by the owner or acquired before first occupancy. Exceptions allow deductions if the property is sold to an individual for their primary residence (per Section 121) or to a qualified nonprofit organization focused on affordable housing, such as community land trusts, housing nonprofits, or community development corporations. The law defines "disqualified" owners and specifies qualifying nonprofits under Section 163(n)(2)(C), effective for taxable years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 647) symbolically recognizes April 11-17, 2024, as the seventh annual "Black Maternal Health Week" in the U.S. Senate. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally acknowledges the disproportionate maternal health disparities affecting Black women, including higher mortality rates and systemic barriers in care. The resolution highlights the work of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, which founded this annual observance to spotlight racial inequities in maternal health. It serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of ongoing health disparities, not a policy action.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and sell commemorative coins honoring the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. It specifies three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 100,000), $1 silver coins (max 500,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), all with designs reflecting soccer and the World Cup. A surcharge is added to each coin sale ($35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, $5 for half-dollars), with all surcharge revenue going directly to FWC2026 US, Inc. to fund U.S. soccer programs, particularly youth initiatives and underserved communities. The coins may only be sold during 2026 and must cover all costs to avoid government expense.

Maddy summarySRES 645 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating April 20-28, 2024, as "National Park Week." It does not create new laws or affect any group directly; instead, it formally recognizes this week to highlight the National Park System. The resolution encourages the public to responsibly visit, experience, and support national parks, referencing the system’s history, visitor statistics (325 million visits in 2023), and economic impact ($50.3 billion in 2022). As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to promote awareness of national parks.