Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Maddy summaryThis bill would repeal a long-standing provision (Section 907) of the Freedom Support Act that has blocked U.S. economic assistance to Armenia since 1997. It directly affects U.S. foreign aid policy toward Armenia by removing the legal ban on providing economic aid. The key mechanism is amending the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act to eliminate the specific restriction on aid funding. If passed, it would allow the U.S. government to provide economic assistance to Armenia without this historical limitation. The bill does not create new aid programs but changes the legal framework for existing aid.

Maddy summaryThe DAARE Act prohibits former U.S. military members (retired or separated) from accepting certain national security-related jobs with foreign governments designated as "countries of concern" or their proxies, such as intelligence, military, or internal security roles. It requires service members to certify understanding of this rule before separation and allows the Secretary of Defense to grant temporary waivers (up to 5 years) for national security reasons, with mandatory congressional notification. Violations could lead to withheld pay, benefits, or revoked security clearances. The Secretary must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing compliance, employment details, and potential security threats from such positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the number of local pay zones (called "local wage areas") that can be defined within a single federal pay locality to just one, with an exception for the "Rest of United States" area. It directly affects federal employees covered under the General Schedule pay system, particularly those working in locations that previously had multiple pay zones. The key mechanism requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to consolidate these zones, ensuring only one pay rate applies per geographic area, while preventing any reduction in current employees' basic pay. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment, applying to all relevant federal pay periods.

Maddy summaryThe Women's Business Centers Improvement Act of 2023 amends the Small Business Act to strengthen support for women-owned small businesses through an enhanced Women's Business Center Program. The bill authorizes the Small Business Administration to provide grants to eligible entities (including nonprofits, educational institutions, and economic development organizations) to operate centers that offer counseling and training on business management, financial operations, marketing, and access to capital specifically for women entrepreneurs. The program requires matching funds (1:2 in the first two years, then 1:1), establishes accreditation standards, and mandates annual reporting on program effectiveness, with $31.5 million authorized annually for fiscal years 2024-2027. These centers must prioritize serving women who are both socially and economically disadvantaged, aiming to help them start, maintain, or grow their businesses.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution recognizes Operation Green Light for Veterans, a campaign by the National Association of Counties that encourages counties to symbolically support veterans by lighting buildings green during a specific week. It urges counties to use this visibility to promote existing local resources - such as job training, housing assistance, mental health services, and help accessing federal benefits - to aid veterans transitioning to civilian life. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but formally commends the campaign’s efforts to raise awareness about available county-level support.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives guarantee fees for certain small business loans made to veterans and their spouses under the Small Business Act. It directly affects veterans, spouses of veterans, and surviving spouses of veterans who died while serving or from service-connected disabilities. The key provision eliminates fees for loans under $1 million that aren't made under specific other provisions, reducing costs for eligible borrowers seeking business financing.

Maddy summaryThe Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act of 2023 increases federal reimbursements for child care providers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). It adds a fixed 10-cent payment per meal or snack served, adjusted annually, to existing reimbursement rates for all CACFP providers, including child care centers and family day care homes. This change applies to all meals and supplements served under the program and takes effect in the first month after the bill is enacted. The amendment modifies multiple sections of the National School Lunch Act to incorporate this additional reimbursement into payment calculations.

Maddy summaryThe Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act would strengthen firearm restrictions for individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders. It expands the definition of "intimate partner" to include dating partners and others protected under state domestic violence laws, ensuring more abusers would be barred from possessing firearms. The bill requires courts to automatically issue firearm surrender orders when issuing domestic violence protection orders, requiring abusers to surrender all firearms within 24 hours. It also creates a federal grant program to help states implement these measures, including safe storage of surrendered firearms and procedures for returning them when no longer prohibited.

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand Medicare coverage for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services beyond current limits. Currently, Medicare Part B only covers MNT for beneficiaries with diabetes or kidney disease. The bill would add coverage for 14 additional conditions, including obesity, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and eating disorders, as defined in the law. It also broadens who can provide these services to include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and registered dietitians, not just physicians. This change would directly affect Medicare beneficiaries with these chronic conditions and the healthcare providers who deliver MNT.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule for the 250th anniversary of the United States (semiquincentennial). The capsule, to be buried on the Capitol's West Lawn by July 4, 2026, must contain representative materials about the Semiquincentennial, copies of key congressional milestones, a message from Congress to future lawmakers, and other appropriate items selected by congressional leadership. It will remain sealed until July 4, 2276, when the Speaker of the House will present it to the 244th Congress for their consideration. The bill authorizes funding for this effort and specifies the timeline for burial and opening. This procedural measure affects Congress directly, as it requires congressional leadership to determine contents and the 244th Congress to handle the capsule's contents upon opening.