Maddy summaryThe SIREN Reauthorization Act (S. 265) reauthorizes the rural emergency medical service training and equipment assistance program, extending its funding period from 2019-2023 to 2024-2028. The bill requires emergency medical services personnel to receive training on mental health and substance use disorders, and allows programs to acquire drugs or devices for emergency overdose treatment. This reauthorization directly benefits rural EMS providers and the communities they serve by improving emergency medical response capabilities. The program will be moved to appear at the end of part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act. The bill makes specific policy changes to enhance rural emergency medical services training and equipment access.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 860 designates the week of October 6-12, 2024, as "Religious Education Week" to recognize the role of religious education in the United States. The resolution calls on all 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia to accommodate students who wish to attend religious classes during school hours through released time programs. It highlights religious education's contribution to moral, civic, and personal development, citing historical and legal references like the Pierce v. Society of Sisters and Zorach v. Clauson Supreme Court cases. The resolution is non-binding and symbolic, focusing on awareness rather than new policy requirements.
Maddy summarySRES 866 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating October 4, 2024, as "National Energy Appreciation Day." It honors energy workers across all sectors (including oil, gas, coal, nuclear, and renewables) who power the U.S. economy and infrastructure. The resolution encourages federal, state, local, and community organizations to observe the day with events that raise awareness about energy's role in supporting jobs, economic growth, national security, and global poverty reduction. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the energy industry's contributions.
Maddy summarySRES 869 is a Senate resolution designating the week beginning November 11, 2024, as "National Pregnancy Center Week" to publicly recognize community-supported pregnancy centers across the United States. These centers, numbering approximately 3,000 nationwide, provide free services including pregnancy testing, counseling, parenting resources, and material assistance (like baby clothes and housing help) to individuals facing pregnancy decisions, serving about 2 million people annually. The resolution highlights that these centers offer over $350 million in services yearly, primarily through community support without significant government funding. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws but aims to raise awareness of their work in supporting vulnerable individuals.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 887) is a symbolic Senate expression of support for designating October 7-12, 2024, as "National 4-H Week." It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the 4-H youth development program, which serves nearly 6 million young people nationwide through community-based projects in health, science, and leadership. The resolution highlights 4-H’s role in fostering youth leadership and its partnership with land-grant universities and the USDA. It directly affects the 4-H organization, its 500,000 volunteers, and the youth members participating in the program.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 890) condemns Hamas for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people - including 40 U.S. citizens - and took hostages. It supports three specific outcomes: ensuring Israel's long-term security, preventing Hamas from regaining power in the region, and securing the safe return of U.S. hostages held in Gaza. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's position. The resolution was introduced by 45 Senators and passed unanimously on September 25, 2024.
Maddy summaryS 5183, the "BE GONE Act," amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to expand the definition of "aggravated felonies" by adding "sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence." This change directly affects non-citizens (immigrants without citizenship) convicted of these specific crimes, making them subject to mandatory deportation under current immigration law. The bill adds these offenses to the existing list of serious crimes triggering deportation, without creating new penalties or programs. It is a definitional change within existing immigration enforcement mechanisms.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 5221 (Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act), removes specific date restrictions for veterans' families seeking government-furnished headstones or markers. It amends a law (38 U.S.C. § 2306(b)(2)) to eliminate two time limits: deaths occurring on or after November 11, 1998, and deaths before September 30, 2025. This change expands eligibility to include veterans who died during the previously excluded periods. The policy directly affects families of deceased veterans who were previously ineligible for these headstones or markers due to those date restrictions.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal, state, and local governments from requiring handguns to include specific features not commonly found on standard firearms. It bans mandates for load indicators, magazine insertion mechanisms, microstamping capabilities, or any devices that could perform these functions. The law directly affects handgun manufacturers and government agencies that might seek to impose such requirements. It prevents new regulations on firearm design without creating new safety standards or altering existing gun laws.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award Robert M. Gates, former Director of Central Intelligence and Secretary of Defense, a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his 27 years of public service to the United States. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, honors his roles in ending the Cold War, leading military transitions in Iraq/Afghanistan, and supporting veterans' welfare. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to the public to cover production costs. The bill is purely ceremonial, with no policy changes or direct effects beyond honoring Gates' career.