Maddy summaryThis bill improves housing loan access for Native American veterans living on trust land by establishing clearer requirements and expanding support services. It requires that veterans maintain meaningful ownership interests in trust land properties and creates a new relending program through Native community development financial institutions that must be at least 51% owned by Native Americans. The bill expands outreach efforts through partnerships with tribal organizations and Native housing entities to help veterans navigate mortgage processes. It also sets specific funding levels for the relending program, starting with $5 million in fiscal year 2024. These changes aim to make housing finance more accessible for Native American veterans while establishing clearer oversight and foreclosure procedures.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 426 is a Senate resolution designating November 4, 2023 (the first Saturday of November), as "National Bison Day." It directly recognizes the cultural, historical, and economic significance of bison to Native American tribes, rural communities, and the U.S. ecosystem. The resolution encourages the American public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities, but it does not create new laws, funding, or obligations. This is a symbolic gesture acknowledging bison's role as the national mammal and its importance to tribal heritage and conservation efforts.
Maddy summaryS. RES. 420 designates Betty K. Koed as Historian Emerita of the U.S. Senate, effective October 21, 2023, honoring her 25-year career as the Senate's first female Historian (serving from 2015-2023 after roles as Assistant and Associate Historian). The resolution recognizes her work preserving Senate archives, producing historical publications, and supporting educational programs about Senate history. It is a ceremonial honor with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or constituents.
This resolution states that the Senate stands with Israel as it defends itself, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas' war on Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and calls on the United States to lead an international effort to deprive Hamas of Iranian and other sources of funding and lethal assistance. Furthermore, the resolution states that nothing in it may be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force.
Maddy summaryS. Res. 406 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Richard Clarence Clark, a former U.S. Senator from Iowa (served 1973-1979), who died in 2023. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that the House of Representatives and Clark’s family be informed, and directs the Senate to adjourn for the day as a mark of respect. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy or legal effect, reflecting the Senate’s collective tribute to a former member.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the scope of national security reviews for real estate transactions involving foreign investors. It requires the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to treat intelligence community sites and National Laboratories (as defined in the Energy Policy Act of 2005) as sensitive U.S. government property for review purposes. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress on CFIUS activities related to these sensitive sites and requires yearly reviews of the official list of such sites to ensure it remains current. These changes directly affect foreign buyers of real estate near national security facilities and streamline oversight for the government.
Maddy summaryThe Air America Act of 2023 authorizes a one-time $40,000 payment to individuals who served for at least five years with Air America or its affiliated companies (1950-1976) or to their survivors, including widows, widowers, children, or dependents. Additional payments of $8,000 per full year beyond five years of service are provided for longer service periods. The total funding for these awards is capped at $60 million, with claims required to be filed within two years of implementing regulations. The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency administers the program, processing claims and issuing lump-sum payments to eligible individuals or their survivors.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. It expresses the Senate's respect for her legacy through a formal statement and calls for the chamber to adjourn as a mark of tribute following her passing. The resolution details her historic milestones, including being the first woman to represent California in the Senate, chair multiple key committees, and advocate on issues like gun safety and conservation. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely commemorative.
This act extends the eligibility or applicability of various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits. First, the act extends from three to five years the authority for additional licensed health care professionals (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists) to perform medical disability examinations as part of the existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations. Currently, when an individual transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved, the individual is deemed to have not received those credits, and no charge from the individual's entitlement to education assistance may be made for that period of enrollment. Under the act, this period of relief for those affected by a closure or disapproval is extended by two years to apply to programs that close or discontinue before September 30, 2025. The act extends through FY2028 the authorization for VA emergency preparedness for public health emergencies. The act also extends the applicability of certain loan fee rates through November 15, 2031, under the VA's home loan program.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates October 26, 2023, as "Day of the Deployed" to honor deployed U.S. military service members and their families. It encourages Americans to reflect on the service of deployed troops past and present and observe the day with appropriate ceremonies. The resolution has no policy or funding provisions - it is a symbolic recognition, continuing an annual designation that began in 2011.