Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan

Maddy summarySRES 106 is a 2023 U.S. Senate resolution condemning China's implementation of the Hong Kong national security law and related actions. It specifically criticizes the law's use to suppress dissent, target figures like pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai and Cardinal Zen, and undermine Hong Kong's autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework. The resolution urges governments to hold China accountable, supports Hong Kong residents' fundamental freedoms, and calls for dropping all national security law charges against detainees. It does not create new laws or impose direct consequences but serves as a symbolic expression of congressional concern about Hong Kong's political rights and rule of law.

Lifting Our Communities through Advance Liquidity for Infrastructure Act or the LOCAL Infrastructure Act This bill reinstates tax provisions relating to advance refunding bonds. An advance refunding bond is a tax-exempt bond issued by a state or municipality to refinance or consolidate existing bond obligations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 2023 as "Financial Literacy Month" to raise public awareness about the importance of personal financial education and the consequences of financial illiteracy. It cites statistics showing widespread challenges, including 4.5% of U.S. households being unbanked, high credit card debt (47% of adults), and limited school-based financial education (only 23 states require personal finance courses). The resolution calls on federal, state, local, schools, nonprofits, and businesses to observe the month with educational programs. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to highlight existing financial literacy gaps affecting all Americans.

Maddy summarySRES 190 is a symbolic Senate resolution (submitted May 2, 2023) that commemorates April 14 as "World Quantum Day" internationally. It supports the global observance aimed at raising public awareness about quantum physics and its real-world applications, such as GPS and semiconductors. The resolution encourages schools and educators to use the day for educational activities that introduce students to quantum physics concepts and promote interest in STEM fields. This is a non-binding commemorative measure with no new funding or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently extends existing U.S. sanctions against Iran by removing an expiration date from the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. It directly affects how the U.S. government enforces sanctions targeting Iran’s weapons programs, ballistic missile development, and support for terrorist proxies. The key provision repeals the "sunset" clause that would have automatically ended these sanctions, making them permanent without needing future congressional action. The bill does not create new sanctions but ensures current penalties remain in place to address Iran’s destabilizing activities, as outlined in the bill's findings.

Maddy summarySJRES 4 is a joint resolution that removes the 1972 deadline for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which was originally proposed in House Joint Resolution 208. It declares that the ERA is valid as part of the U.S. Constitution if ratified by three-fourths of states (38), regardless of the expired deadline. The resolution directly affects the ERA ratification process, making it possible for states to complete ratification without time constraints. As of 2023, 38 states had already ratified the ERA, and this resolution would finalize its inclusion in the Constitution if enacted.

Maddy summaryThe Child Care for Working Families Act establishes a new federal program to provide affordable, high-quality child care for working families with children under age 6. It requires states to implement a sliding fee scale (with no copayment for families earning up to 85% of state median income) and develop a tiered quality system for child care providers, with payment rates that support staff wages comparable to elementary educators. The bill prioritizes access for underserved populations including children with disabilities, children experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, and children from low-income families, while requiring states to improve child care quality and supply through dedicated funding streams. States must submit detailed plans demonstrating how they will meet these requirements to receive federal funding, which will be provided through a combination of direct child care assistance and quality improvement activities.

Maddy summaryThe Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act (S 1376) would prohibit businesses from requiring customers, employees, or small businesses to agree to private arbitration for future employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights disputes. It also bans agreements that prevent people from joining class or collective lawsuits in these areas. The bill makes such forced arbitration clauses unenforceable and ensures courts - not arbitrators - decide if the law applies. This directly affects individuals and small businesses in disputes involving workplace discrimination, product issues, unfair competition, or civil rights violations, allowing them to seek justice collectively in court.

Maddy summaryThe College Transparency Act requires the development of a new, secure data system to collect and share detailed, aggregate information about college students' enrollment, progression, costs, financial aid, and post-graduation outcomes like earnings and employment. This system will make publicly accessible, non-personally identifiable information through an easy-to-use website to help students and families make informed college decisions. Institutions participating in federal student aid programs must submit data to the system, while the bill prohibits collecting sensitive information like health data, discipline records, or exact addresses. The law also includes strong privacy protections, requires data minimization, and prohibits using the data for federal rankings or selling it to third parties. The system aims to reduce reporting burdens on institutions while improving transparency about college outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to help emergency departments improve follow-up care for patients experiencing acute mental health crises. It authorizes $15 million annually (2024-2028) for competitive grants to qualifying hospitals with emergency departments that have mental health staff and partnerships with other providers. Grantees must use funds to expand coordination with regional services, increase psychiatric bed availability, implement telepsychiatry or crisis clinics in EDs, and establish proactive follow-up systems like phone check-ins. The program directly affects emergency departments and the patients they treat for mental health emergencies, aiming to reduce barriers to continued care after an ER visit.