Sen. Ben Ray Luján

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 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 summaryThe End the Threat of Default Act of 2024 would repeal the statutory debt ceiling, a legal limit on how much the U.S. government can borrow. This change would eliminate the need for Congress to vote on raising the debt ceiling to avoid defaulting on government obligations like Social Security payments or military salaries. The bill also includes technical updates to other laws to remove references to the debt ceiling. The repeal would take effect 7 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage to include services provided by radiologist assistants (RAs) working under a radiologist's supervision. It adds "radiologist assistant services" to Medicare's list of covered services (under Section 1861) and specifies that payments for these services must go to the supervising radiologist, not the RA. The bill ensures RAs can only perform tasks legally authorized in their state and under direct radiologist oversight, with no change to existing coverage for technical imaging components. This policy change, effective January 2025, directly affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking imaging care and radiologist-led practices providing those services.

Maddy summaryThe Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024 updates and expands federal programs that support older Americans across the country. It would improve mental health services for older individuals, enhance nutrition programs with medically tailored meals, strengthen family caregiver support through better assessments, and improve elder abuse prevention efforts. The bill also includes provisions to increase access to assistive technology, improve services for Native American elders, and provide new funding levels for these programs through fiscal year 2029. These changes would directly affect millions of older Americans and their caregivers, as well as the state and community organizations that deliver these services.

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 CASC Act establishes a network of National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers to help communities and organizations address climate change impacts on natural and cultural resources. These centers will provide scientific expertise to Federal, State, tribal, and local governments, as well as universities and other partners, on climate adaptation strategies. The National Center, administered by the US Geological Survey, will coordinate with nine regional centers across the country that will work with local partners including Tribal Colleges, Historically Black Colleges, and Native Hawaiian organizations. The bill creates a five-year review process for regional centers to ensure they meet performance standards and continue receiving funding. The centers will focus on research, education, training, and sharing climate science to help decision-makers protect ecosystems, natural resources, and cultural heritage.

Maddy summaryThe Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 ratifies a settlement agreement that resolves water rights claims for the Navajo Nation in the Rio San José Stream System. It establishes a $223.271 million trust fund managed by the Secretary of the Interior to support water infrastructure, management, and implementation of the settlement. The bill clarifies that Navajo Nation water rights will be held in trust by the United States, while explicitly protecting the water rights of individual allottees (land parcels held by the US for individual Native Americans). The settlement becomes effective on the "Enforceability Date" when specific conditions including court approval and fund deposits are met.

Maddy summaryThe Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 establishes a final settlement for the Zuni Tribe's water rights in the Zuni River Stream System. It creates a $655.5 million Trust Fund to support water infrastructure development, management, and environmental compliance on tribal lands. The bill confirms tribal water rights held in trust by the U.S. government while preserving separate water rights for individual allottees (tribal members with land allotments). It also protects the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary area through land withdrawals and management restrictions. Implementation depends on meeting specific conditions, including court approval and fund deposits, with an "Enforceability Date" triggering the settlement's full effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a settlement for water rights claims by the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in New Mexico's Rio Chama Stream System. It ratifies an agreement between the Pueblo, the State of New Mexico, and other parties, creating a $745 million trust fund to support water infrastructure, bosque restoration, and water rights management. The settlement includes waivers of past claims against the United States in exchange for confirmed water rights held in trust by the federal government for the Pueblo. The agreement becomes fully enforceable after specific conditions are met, including court approval and funding deposits. If not implemented by 2038, the agreement would expire with specific consequences for returned funds and water rights.