Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

Maddy summaryS 5220, the Supreme Court Review Act of 2024, creates a special expedited process for Congress to address specific Supreme Court decisions. It applies to rulings interpreting federal law or diminishing constitutional rights, requiring a joint resolution to be introduced within 10 days of the ruling. The bill establishes strict timelines: committees must be discharged after 30 days, debate is capped at 10 hours with no amendments beyond 10 total, and resolutions must directly relate to the court decision (no "non-germane" additions). This process applies only to Congress (Senate and House) when considering such resolutions, not to the courts or the public.

Maddy summaryThe Keeping Obstetrics Local Act aims to improve access to maternity care by requiring states to study costs of obstetric services and setting minimum Medicaid payment rates that are higher than current rates (starting at 150% of Medicare rates for 2026). It creates "anchor payments" for low-volume obstetric hospitals to help them stay open, requiring states to pay hospitals meeting specific criteria the difference between what they're paid and what they need to operate. The bill also mandates 12-month continuous coverage for pregnant individuals under Medicaid and CHIP, and requires hospitals to notify communities 180 days before closing obstetric units, including details on service impacts and steps to address gaps. These provisions directly affect rural hospitals, Medicaid/CHIP recipients, and pregnant individuals seeking obstetric care.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the HIDTA program to strengthen efforts against fentanyl trafficking. It requires new annual reports detailing HIDTA-funded fentanyl seizures, trafficking patterns, and law enforcement data, directly affecting HIDTA programs and regional law enforcement. Key provisions include increasing annual funding to $333 million (2025-2030), adjusting prior funding levels, and directing the Attorney General to make prosecutorial resources available for fentanyl-related cases through temporary reassignment of U.S. attorneys. The law focuses on enhancing fentanyl prevention, seizure, and interdiction activities through data reporting, funding, and targeted prosecution resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - 223 women who served as Army Signal Corps telephone operators in WWI. They connected 26 million calls in France, worked 12-hour shifts under combat conditions, and were denied veteran benefits for 60 years despite wearing uniforms and facing combat hazards. The medal recognizes their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and the decades-long struggle for recognition as soldiers. It directs the Treasury to strike the medal and place it in the Smithsonian for public display at institutions like the National WWI Museum.

Maddy summaryS 5112, the Crisis Care Access Act of 2024, expands Medicare coverage for hospital-based crisis stabilization services starting January 1, 2027. It adds these services to Medicare’s payment system, directly affecting hospitals providing mental health/substance use crisis care and Medicare beneficiaries experiencing such crises. Key provisions require hospitals to offer 24/7 multidisciplinary staffing (including psychiatrists, nurses, and certified peer support specialists), document referrals, and provide specific services like suicide/violence risk screenings, observation care (up to 23 hours), and physical health assessments. The bill mandates hospitals meet these standards to receive Medicare payment for crisis stabilization services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. trade law to tie preferential trade benefits (Generalized System of Preferences) to gender equality and human rights standards. It requires beneficiary developing countries to meet new criteria, including providing equal legal rights and protections regardless of gender, eliminating discrimination in employment, and addressing gender-based violence. The U.S. Trade Representative must annually review countries' compliance, collect data on their progress, and publish findings, with potential reduction of trade benefits if countries fail to meet standards for five consecutive years. This directly affects low-income nations currently receiving U.S. trade advantages, making their continued eligibility contingent on measurable progress on gender equality.

Maddy summaryS. RES. 825 is a Senate resolution recognizing the significant pay gap between disabled women and both disabled and nondisabled men. It cites data showing disabled women earn, on average, just 50 cents for every dollar paid to nondisabled men, with even wider disparities for disabled women of color (e.g., 44 cents for disabled Latinas). The resolution highlights systemic barriers like occupational segregation (overrepresentation in low-paid jobs), discrimination, inadequate support services, and public benefits work disincentives as key drivers of this gap. While not creating new laws, the resolution aims to formally acknowledge these inequities and reaffirm the Senate’s commitment to addressing wage disparities for disabled women.

Maddy summarySRES 828 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing the chamber’s position that every person has the right to emergency health care, including abortion care, during medical emergencies. It highlights that abortion restrictions in emergencies force providers to choose between treating patients or risking criminal charges, disproportionately harming Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, low-income individuals, and LGBTQI+ patients. The resolution specifically notes that such bans create dangerous uncertainty for life-threatening conditions like severe hemorrhage, sepsis, or placenta previa. As a symbolic statement, it does not create new law or alter existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2695 (Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act), grants tribal law enforcement officers who contract federal law enforcement functions under the Indian Self-Determination Act the authority to enforce federal law within tribal jurisdiction. To qualify, tribal officers must complete Bureau-approved training, pass equivalent background checks, and receive certification from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, while tribes must adopt policies meeting federal standards. The bill deems these tribal officers as federal law enforcement officers for key legal purposes, including protections under Title 18 (criminal law), Title 5 (federal employee benefits), and the Federal Tort Claims Act. It requires the Secretary to establish certification procedures within two years and includes a Bridge Program for officers using state training. The bill directly affects tribal officers and tribes operating under federal law enforcement contracts.

Maddy summarySRES 823 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15, 2024) and celebrating the cultural contributions and achievements of Latinos in the United States. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups; instead, it urges the public to observe the month through activities honoring Latino heritage. The resolution highlights Latinos' economic impact (e.g., $3.4 trillion purchasing power), demographic significance (19.5% of U.S. population), and historical military service, but these statistics serve as context, not policy changes. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal force and is intended to raise awareness, not alter government programs or funding.