Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

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 summaryThis bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Science Foundation (NSF) to formally coordinate joint research and development through a new agreement. It directs them to focus collaborative efforts on priority areas like quantum computing, energy materials, advanced manufacturing, and AI-driven climate research, using competitive, merit-reviewed processes to fund projects involving universities, labs, and other partners. The agreement must promote data sharing, support research infrastructure, and include STEM workforce development initiatives like internships and educational programs. DOE and NSF must also report to Congress within two years on their coordination progress, research achievements, and future collaboration opportunities.

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 Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act of 2024 requires the Justice Department's Inspector General to investigate any presidential pardon for a crime related to an investigation involving the President or their relative. It mandates that the President and Attorney General submit all relevant materials to the Inspector General and Congress within 30 days of the pardon. The bill also amends bribery law to include pardons as a potential bribe and explicitly prohibits the President from pardoning themselves, stating such a pardon is invalid. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in the pardon process for specific cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection) to create a detailed plan within 180 days for identifying, testing, and deploying new border security technologies. The plan must cover how CBP will use its Innovation Teams to adapt commercial technologies, assess privacy and civil rights impacts, replace outdated systems, and coordinate with DHS science teams and private sector partners. It mandates annual reports on the Innovation Teams' activities, including successful pilot technologies and efforts to transition them into permanent programs. The bill directly affects CBP operations and DHS technology procurement processes, focusing on safe, secure, and privacy-conscious border security solutions without specifying particular technologies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce three commemorative coins honoring Roberto Clemente: $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar clad coins, with specified quantities (50,000 gold, 400,000 silver, 750,000 half-dollars). The coins must feature Clemente’s image and include inscriptions like "Roberto Clemente" and "2027," with surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin respectively) funding the Roberto Clemente Foundation for youth sports, education, and disaster relief. All coins must be sold between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027, at face value plus surcharge, with the foundation audited for fund use. The legislation affects no citizens or policies - it solely creates a commemorative coin program.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 902) honoring the late Senator Timothy Peter Johnson of South Dakota, who died after a long career in public service. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and send a copy to his family, and calls for the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is purely a formal expression of respect for a former senator. The resolution commemorates his decades of service, including his time as Chairman of the Banking Committee and his return to work after a serious health setback.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an interest-bearing account within the U.S. Treasury to manage non-federal contributions for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program. The account will hold funds from participating states (referred to as "State Parties" in the program's agreement), including any interest earned from investing these funds. The program can use these funds for conservation activities without requiring new annual appropriations from Congress. Participating states are protected from financial losses due to investments made with their contributions.

Maddy summaryThe Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act transfers approximately 44,950 acres of Federal land to be held in trust for the Moapa Band of Paiutes and 3,156 acres for the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe. It conveys over 4,000 acres of Federal land to Clark County and Nevada cities for public recreation, water infrastructure, flood control, and fire safety facilities. The bill establishes special management areas covering about 300,000 acres to protect wildlife resources, adds over 200,000 acres of wilderness to the National Wilderness Preservation System, and creates off-highway vehicle recreation areas totaling approximately 120,000 acres.