Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses Congress's support for the Local Radio Freedom Act by opposing new fees for local radio stations playing music over the air. It states that imposing performance fees would harm the longstanding relationship between radio stations and the music industry, jeopardize emergency broadcasts and local programming, and cause economic hardship for radio stations and small businesses (like bars and retail stores) that rely on free music licensing. The resolution specifically urges against any new fee, tax, or royalty related to radio stations' public performance of sound recordings. As a non-binding statement, it does not create new law but formally advocates for maintaining the current system.

Maddy summarySRES 103 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing the 111th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. It celebrates the organization’s role in providing girls with a safe, inclusive space to develop leadership skills, build relationships, and access educational experiences. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges Girl Scouts’ impact on girls’ development and leadership preparation. It was introduced on March 9, 2023, by Senators Duckworth, Capito, Feinstein, Warren, Shaheen, and Ernst.

Maddy summarySRES 104 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinas in the United States. It highlights that nearly 30 million Latinas live in the U.S. (1 in 6 women), emphasizing their roles across diverse fields like business (over 2 million Latina-owned businesses), military service (45,710 active-duty Latinas), arts (Selena, Rita Moreno), and essential work during the pandemic. The resolution notes ongoing challenges, including Latinas earning only 57 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men. It formally celebrates Latinas' achievements while acknowledging the need for further progress toward equality. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds.

Maddy summaryThe MINDS Act establishes a dedicated Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator at USAID to oversee the integration of mental health services across all U.S. international development and humanitarian assistance programs. It mandates that all such programs must be evidence-based, culturally competent, trauma-informed, and prioritize vulnerable groups like conflict-affected children, displaced populations, and those impacted by diseases like Ebola or COVID-19. The bill requires annual reports to Congress detailing funding, program integration progress, and barriers to implementation, with a 5-year sunset provision. This legislation directly affects USAID and State Department programming worldwide, aiming to systematically address mental health needs in global aid efforts.

Maddy summaryThe HCBS Access Act (S 762) requires states to provide Medicaid coverage for home and community-based services (HCBS) to eligible individuals with disabilities and older adults, aiming to eliminate waiting lists and ensure access to community-based care. The bill establishes a comprehensive definition of HCBS that includes personal assistance, transportation, respite care, housing support, and other services necessary for community living. It mandates states to develop implementation plans to expand access, improve compensation and working conditions for direct care workers, and report on quality measures and demographic data related to HCBS access. The bill also creates a national technical assistance center to support workforce development and ensures services are provided in settings meeting specific quality standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $500 million USDA grant program to assist farmers and communities affected by PFAS ("forever chemicals") contamination in soil or water. Eligible states, tribes, or local governments can receive funding if they have agricultural land or water with unsafe PFAS levels, as determined by the USDA and EPA. Grants can cover costs like compensating farmers for contaminated crops, funding health monitoring, helping farms transition to new production systems, researching remediation, and developing educational programs about PFAS risks. The program requires annual reports to Congress and prioritizes direct financial assistance for farmers facing income loss due to contamination.

Maddy summaryThe Tax Fairness for Workers Act (S 738) allows employees to deduct certain work-related expenses from their taxable income. It creates an above-the-line deduction for union dues and adds a new exception permitting miscellaneous itemized deductions for other employee expenses, such as uniforms or tools, that were previously limited. This directly affects wage-earning workers who pay union dues or have unreimbursed job costs. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, and remove prior restrictions on these deductions.

Maddy summaryS 701, the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023, prohibits states from imposing restrictions on abortion that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures. It protects access to abortion before fetal viability (when a fetus could survive outside the womb) by banning requirements like unnecessary in-person visits, medically inaccurate counseling, or facility restrictions not applied to similar care. Post-viability abortions remain protected when medically necessary to safeguard a patient’s life or health. The bill preempts conflicting state laws and ensures enforcement through federal courts to uphold these access protections for patients and health care providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides travel assistance and support for families of U.S. citizens wrongfully or unlawfully detained abroad. It covers costs for family members to travel to Washington, DC (over 50 miles away) for meetings with U.S. officials, with a limit of two trips per year per detained person. The bill also requires the government to provide mental health support through psychologists and social workers for both detained individuals and their families, and mandates annual reports to Congress on spending and services. These provisions expire on December 31, 2027.

Maddy summarySRES 96 is a non-binding Senate resolution celebrating the economic contributions of women business owners in the United States. It recognizes that women-owned businesses employ over 10 million people and generate nearly $1.9 trillion in annual revenue, while commending their entrepreneurial spirit and highlighting their growth from 4.6% to 42% of all U.S. businesses since 1972. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of their role in the economy. It directly affects public recognition of women entrepreneurs, not specific individuals or businesses.