Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens health care and benefits for children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida. It defines "covered children" as those eligible for these benefits and "covered veterans" as Vietnam veterans with such children. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish an advisory council to gather feedback from affected families and create care teams that must contact covered children at least once every 180 days. It also ensures health care benefits continue for the child's entire life, regardless of whether a parent dies before the child. Additionally, the Department must submit biennial reports to Congress on the number of children receiving benefits, social workers provided, and outreach efforts.

Maddy summarySRES 404 is a ceremonial resolution designating October 4, 2023, as "Energy Efficiency Day" to recognize the economic and environmental benefits of existing energy efficiency policies and private sector innovation. It does not create new laws, funding, or requirements - it simply urges the public to observe the day with activities celebrating achievements like $800 billion in annual energy cost savings and a 50% reduction in energy use in federal facilities since the 1970s. The resolution references bipartisan energy efficiency policies enacted since the 1970s (e.g., the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Energy Act of 2020) but does not alter them. As a non-binding observance, it directly affects no individuals or entities and serves only to acknowledge past progress.

Maddy summarySRES 394 is a Senate resolution introduced on October 3, 2023, honoring the late James L. Buckley, a former U.S. Senator from New York (1971-1977) who died in 2023. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his passing and directs the Senate to communicate the resolution to the House of Representatives and Buckley's family, while calling for an immediate adjournment in his memory. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it solely serves to commemorate Buckley's life and legacy.

Maddy summaryThe Nutrition CARE Act of 2023 amends Medicare Part B to cover medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with eating disorders, which were previously excluded from coverage. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with eating disorders, including those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups disproportionately impacted by these conditions. The bill requires coverage for services provided by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals following referrals from physicians or psychologists, mandating a minimum of 13 hours of care in the first year (including an initial assessment) and 4 hours annually thereafter. Coverage begins January 1, 2024, and applies specifically to eating disorders as defined by the Secretary using the DSM-5 criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to use non-intrusive scanning systems at land ports of entry to inspect at least 40% of passenger vehicles and 90% of commercial vehicles entering the U.S. by September 2026. It also mandates that CBP begin scanning 10% of vehicles exiting the U.S. through land ports by the same deadline. CBP must report progress to Congress by May 2026 and submit a detailed analysis if targets aren’t met, including causes and corrective steps. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will conduct a two-year review of CBP’s use of these systems for border security effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 390) designates October 1-7, 2023, as "National Community Policing Week." It recognizes community policing as a strategy to build trust between law enforcement and communities, reduce crime, and improve public safety through collaborative problem-solving. The resolution encourages the public, law enforcement agencies, and elected officials to support community policing efforts but does not create new legal requirements or funding. As a non-binding resolution, it symbolically promotes existing community policing practices without altering policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal tax credit for investors who make long-term investments in qualified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), allowing them to claim 3% to 4% of their investment amount annually over a 10-year period. The credit applies to investments held for at least 10 years, with specific "credit allowance dates" marking annual eligibility, and is subject to a national annual limit of $1 billion in 2023 (rising to $2 billion yearly after 2024, adjusted for inflation). CDFIs must apply for allocation of the credit limit based on criteria like community impact, ability to attract private capital, and investment plans, with unused limits carried over to future years. The credit is integrated into the general business tax credit system and applies to investments made after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summarySRES 371 is a symbolic Senate resolution supporting the designation of September 18-22, 2023, as "Malnutrition Awareness Week." It recognizes the widespread impact of malnutrition across all demographics, particularly vulnerable groups like children, older adults, and communities of color, and highlights existing federal nutrition programs. The resolution urges support for these programs, access to nutrition counseling, and awareness of malnutrition's health and economic costs, without creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryS 2939, the Pharmacy Access Oversight and Reporting Act, requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish a biennial report on enforcement actions related to pharmacy access rules under Medicare Part D. The report, first due two years after the bill's enactment and then every two years thereafter, details oversight activities without disclosing identifiable personal information or trade secrets. This bill directly affects the Secretary's office and indirectly impacts pharmacies and insurers by mandating transparency in how pharmacy access requirements are enforced. It creates a procedural mechanism for reporting, not new policy changes to pharmacy access itself.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 361, introduced on September 26, 2023, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which established key anti-discrimination protections for people with disabilities. The resolution recognizes the Act's role in advancing civil rights through provisions like Section 504 (prohibiting disability discrimination in federally funded programs) and Section 508 (ensuring accessible technology), while calling for continued efforts to address remaining barriers. It specifically urges Federal agencies to strengthen enforcement of accessibility standards and focus on equity for people with disabilities from underserved communities, including people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and those in rural or low-income areas.