Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan

Maddy summaryThe Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024 would significantly increase federal financial aid for college students by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award from current levels to $10,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year, with annual inflation-based increases reaching $14,000 by 2030-2031. The bill would make Pell Grants a mandatory program that grows with inflation (instead of relying on annual appropriations) and expand eligibility to include "Dreamer" students who came to the U.S. as children, as well as students with negative student aid indexes who would receive grants exceeding the maximum amount. It also restores the total number of semesters students can receive Pell Grants from 12 to 18 and makes it easier for students to maintain eligibility by reducing penalties for academic progress issues. This legislation directly affects millions of undergraduate students, particularly students of color and low-income students who rely on Pell Grants to afford college.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal obscenity laws to remove outdated references to abortion and "immoral" materials. It revises Title 18 sections 552, 1461, and 1462 by deleting phrases like "procuring abortion" and "indecent or immoral use," and updates definitions to focus solely on "obscene materials." The changes clarify that federal mail and commerce restrictions apply only to obscene materials, not to medical information or other protected content. This directly affects how federal laws regulate the mailing or transportation of materials, particularly impacting the legal treatment of abortion-related medical information in postal and shipping contexts.

Maddy summaryThis bill names a specific U.S. Postal Service facility in East Derry, New Hampshire (located at 50 East Derry Road) as the "Chief Edward B. Garone Post Office." It updates all official federal references - such as laws, maps, and documents - to use this new name instead of the previous designation. The bill directly affects the postal facility and any federal records mentioning it, but makes no other policy changes or funding commitments. As a naming resolution, it has no substantive policy impact beyond the official designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a process for the Department of Defense to share anonymized military service data with state education agencies. It requires the DoD to provide annual data about high school graduates who joined the military, including their education level, test scores, service dates, rank, and military specialty, organized by state. State education agencies can then integrate this data into their existing student records systems. The law mandates strict privacy protections, requiring all shared data to be anonymous and compliant with federal and state privacy laws. This directly affects state education systems and their ability to track educational outcomes for military-connected students.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the age limit for certain Social Security disability benefits from 22 to 26 years old. It directly affects disabled young adults who currently lose eligibility for these benefits at age 22, allowing them to continue receiving support until age 26. The key mechanism is amending specific sections of the Social Security Act to replace "age of 22" with "age of 26" in multiple provisions governing child's insurance benefits and supplemental security income. These changes apply to existing benefit programs without creating new ones. The bill focuses on extending current support for young adults with disabilities during a critical transition period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans (private insurance plans that cover Medicare benefits) to implement electronic systems for prior authorization requests by 2027, replacing outdated methods like fax. Starting in 2026, these plans must publicly report detailed data on prior authorization decisions - including approval/denial rates, appeal outcomes, and processing times - to the government. The government will publish this data online so seniors and providers can see how plans handle requests. These changes aim to reduce delays in care for seniors by making the process more transparent and timely.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the planning cycle for workforce development programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) from 4 years to 5 years. It directly affects state workforce boards, local workforce development boards, and programs serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers by modifying their planning and reporting requirements. Key provisions adjust timeframes throughout the law, such as changing "4-year" to "5-year" for state plans, local plans, and performance accountability periods, while maintaining flexibility for states to use either 4- or 5-year cycles as appropriate.

Maddy summaryS 4381, the Right to Contraception Act, establishes a federal statutory right for individuals to access contraceptives and contraception services without government interference, directly affecting people seeking care, healthcare providers (like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists), and state governments. It prohibits states or the federal government from implementing laws that restrict access to contraceptives, hinder providers from offering services, or single out contraceptive care for special restrictions. The bill preempts conflicting state laws and creates legal avenues for individuals or providers to sue to block violations, with courts required to invalidate such restrictive laws. It explicitly does not alter existing requirements for health insurance coverage of contraceptives under federal law.

Maddy summarySRES 722 is a Senate resolution expressing gratitude for the heroism of U.S. Armed Forces members who participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. It commemorates the 80th anniversary of this pivotal World War II operation, which helped end the war, and commends the leadership and bravery of those who fought. The resolution requests the President issue a proclamation encouraging public ceremonies to honor veterans' sacrifices and recognizes France's efforts to preserve Normandy's historical sites as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to publicly honor historical service and legacy.

Maddy summaryS.Res. 723 is a Senate resolution celebrating the 40th anniversary of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework for creating inclusive educational environments. The resolution recognizes UDL’s role in helping educators remove barriers to learning for all students - including those with disabilities - by promoting flexible teaching methods, accessible materials, and adaptable learning spaces. It commends researchers, educators, and advocates who have advanced UDL over four decades, noting its integration into federal education policies like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act. The resolution has no binding effect but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of UDL’s impact on making education more accessible nationwide.