Maddy summaryThis bill allows federally recognized tribes to take over meat inspection authority currently held by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on tribal lands. Tribes must first adopt a USDA-approved food and agriculture code, then enter into a self-determination contract with the Secretary of Agriculture to administer inspections under federal meat safety laws. The bill also ensures tribes operating under these contracts remain eligible for rural development loans and grants. It directly affects tribal nations with meat processing facilities on reservations, shifting administrative responsibility from the federal government to tribal governments. The key mechanism is creating a formal pathway for tribes to self-govern meat safety oversight while maintaining federal standards.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1774, the ASSIST Act) increases federal funding for mental health and substance use disorder services provided in schools and school-based health centers. It raises the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) to 90% for eligible state expenditures on these services starting 12 months after enactment, directly benefiting public schools, school-based health centers, and students needing these services. The bill also creates a new grant program through the HHS Secretary to fund eligible entities (like school districts, universities, or tribal schools) to hire more licensed mental health providers, with requirements for cultural competence, reporting on provider numbers and retention, and a ban on using funds for threat assessment teams. These provisions aim to expand access to school-based mental health care without reducing funding for other Medicaid services.
Maddy summarySRES 220 is a Senate resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program. The resolution acknowledges the program's 30-year history of building security partnerships with 100 nations and expresses gratitude to National Guard members for their service in fostering these international relationships. It does not create new policy but formally honors the program's role in strengthening global security cooperation.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 209) is a symbolic Senate measure recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It formally celebrates the historical contributions of these communities to the United States, highlighting their diverse cultural impact and achievements. The resolution does not create new laws or policies - it simply encourages the Senate to observe the month with recognition of these communities' roles in U.S. history. It follows longstanding tradition, as May was chosen to honor key milestones including the arrival of Japanese immigrants and Chinese laborers on the transcontinental railroad.
Maddy summaryThe COVER Act of 2023 establishes two programs to support farmers adopting cover crops and soil health practices through crop insurance premium subsidies. The main program, the Good Steward Cover Crop program, provides $5 per acre in additional premium subsidies to farmers who plant qualifying cover crops (like grasses, legumes, or brassicas) on land where they also grow other crops and maintain crop insurance, with the subsidy capped at the premium amount for that acre. It requires annual reporting on acreage and includes outreach to underserved producers. A separate soil health pilot program will test additional subsidies for innovative practices like conservation crop rotations, with a mandatory study to evaluate impacts on crop insurance payments and yields.
Maddy summaryThe Democracy Restoration Act of 2023 (S 1677) would restore voting rights for most U.S. citizens with criminal convictions who are not serving a felony sentence in prison. It requires states to notify individuals when they regain voting rights, with specific timelines for notification after sentencing or release from custody. The bill prohibits states from requiring payment of fines or fees to restore voting rights, affecting over 4.6 million disenfranchised citizens. It applies only to federal elections and would take effect for elections held after enactment.
Maddy summaryS 1688, the "Yes In My Backyard Act," requires local governments receiving Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to report on plans to adopt specific housing-friendly land use policies. It directly affects cities and counties that administer CDBG programs by mandating annual submissions describing their progress on 22 policy examples, such as allowing duplexes in single-family zones, reducing parking requirements, or streamlining permitting. The bill does not require adoption of these policies but tracks jurisdictions' efforts to remove barriers to affordable housing. This reporting mechanism aims to address discriminatory zoning while keeping existing CDBG funding rules intact.
Maddy summaryThis bill would create a federal paid family and medical leave insurance program, providing wage replacement benefits for workers who need time off for family or medical reasons. Eligible workers would receive up to $4,000 per month (with a minimum of $580), calculated as 85% of the first $1,257 in monthly earnings, 69% of the next $2,243, and 50% of any amount above that. The program would be funded through 0.2% payroll taxes on both employees and employers, administered by the Social Security Administration. It would directly affect workers who meet income requirements, with benefits available for up to 60 caregiving days per benefit period.
Maddy summaryThis bill removes barriers for people with drug-related convictions seeking government assistance. It amends welfare law (PRWORA) to allow states to provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits to individuals with such convictions through state programs. It also invalidates state rules that deny Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food aid based on drug convictions and adds incarcerated individuals scheduled for release within 30 days to SNAP eligibility. The law directly affects formerly incarcerated people seeking welfare or food assistance in states that previously restricted these benefits due to past drug offenses.
Maddy summaryS 1702 requires K-12 public schools receiving federal education funding to incorporate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history into American history and civics curricula. It amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to mandate this inclusion across all relevant programs, teacher training, and national assessments. The bill directly affects public school districts, educators, and students by requiring existing curriculum frameworks to explicitly cover these histories. This addresses documented gaps in current curricula that have historically excluded these communities' contributions to U.S. history.