Sen. Cory A. Booker

Maddy summaryThis bill amends two provisions of the law governing Veterans Affairs benefits. It expands VA coverage to include the total shipping cost for delivering vehicles to eligible veterans, ensuring these costs are covered alongside the vehicle purchase price. It also slightly extends a deadline for housing loan fees, changing the date from November 15, 2031, to November 20, 2031. The primary impact affects veterans receiving VA benefits for vehicle delivery or home loans under these specific provisions.

Maddy summaryThe Expanding Disability Access to Higher Education Act aims to improve college access and success for students with disabilities, particularly those who are low-income or first-generation college students. It creates new funding for programs that provide academic support, accommodations, and transition services specifically for these students through amendments to the Higher Education Act. The bill requires institutions to establish or improve disability services offices, mandates data collection on how programs serve students with disabilities, and authorizes $50 million annually for these programs from 2025-2029. It requires at least two-thirds of students served to be low-income and first-generation, while also ensuring accommodations are available and programs incorporate universal design principles. The legislation also establishes new reporting requirements to track outcomes for students with disabilities across different disability categories.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends three federal student aid programs (Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and TEACH Grants) to adjust how enrollment is calculated for students with disabilities. It ensures that students with disabilities who have an approved reduced course load as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA or Rehabilitation Act can have that reduced load (minimum 5 credits) counted as full-time enrollment for calculating their cost of attendance and aid eligibility. This change applies specifically to the cost-of-attendance calculations used to determine grant amounts, not to semester eligibility rules. The bill directly affects qualifying students with disabilities enrolled in postsecondary education who require reduced course loads as part of their accommodations.

Maddy summarySRES 699 is a ceremonial Senate resolution congratulating students, parents, teachers, and leaders of U.S. charter schools for their contributions to education during the 25th Annual National Charter Schools Week (May 12-18, 2024). It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it symbolically recognizes charter schools’ role in providing public education options and improving student outcomes, as noted in the resolution’s background statements. The resolution directly addresses the charter school community and encourages public celebration of National Charter Schools Week. It is a non-binding expression of support, not a legislative action affecting any specific group or policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisors. It directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to determine if state laws "substantially provide" for specific rights including the right to form unions, bargain collectively, and have interest impasse resolution mechanisms. If a state law doesn't meet these standards, the FLRA would administer collective bargaining for affected employees. The bill also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would disrupt emergency services and preserves existing collective bargaining agreements in place before the bill's enactment. It does not preempt state laws that already meet these minimum standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits forced arbitration for age discrimination claims involving people aged 40 or older. It amends federal law to make any pre-dispute arbitration agreement or joint-action waiver unenforceable in cases alleging age discrimination under federal, tribal, or state law. The law directly affects older workers who face age discrimination at work, ensuring they can pursue claims in court rather than being forced into private arbitration. Key provisions require courts - not arbitrators - to decide if the law applies to a dispute, and it applies to all claims arising after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summarySRES 693 is a Senate resolution recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the historical contributions of these communities to U.S. history. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of their achievements, growth (including demographic data and key anniversaries like the 50th anniversary of *Lau v. Nichols*), and ongoing challenges like anti-Asian hate crimes. It directly honors these communities and aims to raise awareness of their diverse impacts on American society.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date of the diesel emissions reduction program from 2024 to 2029 under Section 797(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. It does not alter the program's existing requirements or funding mechanisms, only the timeline for its operation. The extension directly affects federal programs administering diesel emission reduction grants or incentives. This is a procedural reauthorization to continue the program through 2029.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 681) supports designating May 10, 2024, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day." It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the mental health disparities faced by AANHPI communities, including lower service utilization rates and higher youth suicide rates. The resolution encourages federal, state, and local agencies to improve mental health awareness and culturally appropriate care for these communities. It is a symbolic gesture aligning with May's existing Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mamas First Act This bill requires state Medicaid programs to cover doula and midwife services, including prenatal, delivery, and postpartum services, in a variety of settings.