Sen. Cory A. Booker

Maddy summaryS 5507, the Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act, requires federal contractors to disclose the race, ethnicity, veteran status, and sex of their five highest-paid officers. It also mandates that contractors report the dollar amounts of all subcontracts and subgrants awarded under federal contracts. The bill updates the federal spending transparency website (USASpending.gov) to include this new data annually, starting after enactment. The Office of Management and Budget must implement these changes within 180 days of the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryThe FAIR Act of 2024 (S 5512) fundamentally changes civil forfeiture by requiring all property seizures to go through judicial process rather than allowing government agencies to seize property without court involvement. It raises the government's burden of proof from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence" to establish a property connection to criminal activity. The bill establishes new timelines for notifying property owners and requires courts to consider factors like hardship to property owners when making forfeiture decisions. These changes directly affect individuals whose property is seized by federal agencies in connection with alleged criminal activity.

Maddy summaryS 5516, the Vacant Property for the Unhoused Act, establishes a 5-year grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help community land trusts and other community-based housing organizations convert vacant residential properties into long-term affordable housing for unhoused individuals. The bill prioritizes applications from organizations operating in areas with high homelessness rates, providing supportive services (like job training and healthcare), and using equitable tenant screening that avoids exclusionary criteria. Grant funds can cover converting vacant properties, making habitability upgrades, or long-term maintenance costs to create stable housing. This program directly affects unhoused individuals (defined as homeless under federal law) and community housing organizations, aiming to reduce homelessness by utilizing existing vacant housing stock.

Maddy summaryS 5523 clarifies U.S. government assistance programs focused on destroying landmines, unexploded ordnance, and securing weapons stockpiles in partner countries. It authorizes the Department of State to fund humanitarian demining (clearing landmines to return land to farming and development) and secure weapons destruction (preventing diversion to terrorists and reducing accidental explosions). This directly affects over 120 countries receiving U.S. assistance since 1993, including civilians in conflict zones who benefit from cleared land, risk education, and safer communities. The bill codifies existing practices by specifying that these programs aim to improve food security, reduce migration drivers, and strengthen security partnerships without adding new funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968-1982) and the first African American to seek a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image and name, which will be presented to her family by congressional leaders. After presentation, the medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution for public viewing and research. The bill also authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. This is a commemorative measure honoring Chisholm's historic contributions to American politics and civil rights.

Maddy summaryS 3139, the Preventing Child Labor Exploitation in Federal Contracting Act, requires federal contractors and their subcontractors to annually disclose past violations of child labor laws (Section 12 of the Fair Labor Standards Act) to the Department of Labor. Contractors with serious, repeated, or uncorrected violations face a 5-year ban from federal contracts, as the Labor Secretary must publish an annual list of ineligible entities. The bill mandates annual reports from agencies detailing the number of contractors on the list, corrective actions taken, and contract values, with a separate study on child labor prevalence among federal contractors. It also imposes criminal penalties for knowingly failing to submit required disclosures. This directly affects all entities seeking or holding federal contracts involving subcontractors.

Maddy summaryThe Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 91) authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats who risked their careers and safety to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. These diplomats, representing countries including Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and others, issued visas and provided safe passage to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution despite strict orders from their home governments. The medal will be presented collectively to the next of kin of each diplomat, along with representatives from their home countries, and then permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The act recognizes these individuals' bravery without implying they represent all who performed similar humanitarian acts during the Holocaust. The medal serves as a permanent tribute to their sacrifice and will be available for public display and research.

Maddy summarySRES 74 is a Senate resolution condemning Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority, which directly affects Baha'is in Iran facing systemic discrimination. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release imprisoned Baha'is, end hate propaganda against them, and reverse policies denying equal access to education, jobs, and religious practice. It also urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to demand Iran's compliance with international human rights treaties and use existing sanctions authority against Iranian officials responsible for abuses. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional condemnation of Iran's violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Maddy summarySRES 925 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Fred R. Harris of Oklahoma, who died on November 23, 2024, at age 94. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that his family be notified, and directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a formal expression of respect for a former senator’s legacy.

Maddy summaryThe GME Data Transparency Act of 2024 requires hospitals with approved medical residency programs to collect and report specific data starting in 2027, including resident attrition rates (such as withdrawals or dismissals before completion) and specialty distribution, both broken down by demographic factors like race, gender, and age. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must publish this aggregated data on the CMS website within one year of the bill's enactment and update it periodically. This directly affects all hospitals operating medical residency programs, as they must submit the required data for cost reporting periods beginning in 2027. The bill mandates transparency in residency program outcomes without altering how residency training is conducted.