Sen. Jacky Rosen

Maddy summarySRES 856 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating October 2024 as Filipino American History Month. It formally recognizes and celebrates the historical contributions, culture, and achievements of Filipino Americans to the United States, including their roles in military service, healthcare, labor movements, and other fields. The resolution urges the American public to observe the month with educational programs and activities to honor this community's legacy. This follows Congress's 2009 recognition of Filipino American History Month (S. Res. 298) and aligns with ongoing efforts to highlight overlooked histories.

Maddy summarySRES 877 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating October 6-12, 2024, as "National Community Policing Week." It does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups; instead, it formally recognizes the importance of community policing through a designated week of awareness. The resolution encourages Americans, law enforcement agencies, and officials to strengthen community-law enforcement relationships and improve public safety. It serves as a non-binding gesture of support for community policing principles, emphasizing trust and collaboration without imposing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 26, 2024, as "Day of the Deployed" to honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces currently deployed overseas and their families. It calls for the American public to reflect on the service of deployed military personnel past and present, and encourages observing the day with ceremonies. The resolution has no legislative effect - it is purely ceremonial, continuing an annual designation first established in 2011. It directly affects military service members, their families, and the general public through symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts the premium tax credit program under the Affordable Care Act to make health insurance more affordable for lower-income households. It establishes a new sliding scale for the percentage of income people pay toward premiums based on household income relative to the federal poverty line (ranging from 150% to 400% of the poverty line). For example, households earning 150-200% of the poverty line would pay 0-2% of income, while those earning 300-400% would pay 6-8.5%. The changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, and directly affect individuals purchasing health insurance through marketplace plans who qualify for these tax credits.

Maddy summaryS 5204, the Tax Relief for New Businesses Act, increases tax deductions for new businesses by consolidating "start-up" and "organizational" expenses into a single category and raising deduction limits. It raises the initial deduction from $5,000 to $50,000 and the phaseout threshold from $50,000 to $150,000 for these expenses. The bill also creates special rules for net operating losses related to start-up costs, allowing businesses to treat these losses separately with a 100% carryover (instead of 80%) and excluding them from other loss calculations. This directly benefits new corporations and partnerships formed after December 31, 2024, by reducing their initial tax burden.

Maddy summaryThe CONSTRUCTS Act of 2024 creates a federal grant program to expand training for residential construction careers at community colleges and trade schools. It directly affects rural communities and underserved populations (defined as groups with lower construction sector employment rates, low-income individuals, those with employment barriers, or veterans). The bill authorizes $20 million annually from 2025-2029 to fund grants for eligible institutions to develop or expand evidence-based training programs in specific construction trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC. Grant recipients must create flexible training schedules (including night classes and online options), prioritize partnerships with construction businesses, and report on outcomes including job placement rates and impacts on affordable housing supply. The program requires grant recipients to comply with labor laws and serve targeted populations as a priority in grant awarding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires expanded non-intrusive inspections of cargo at U.S. transportation points to detect illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl. It mandates that Customs and Border Protection inspect 50% of cargo at land ports, air cargo, and maritime cargo within 5 years, increasing to 100% over time. The bill creates grant programs for state and local law enforcement to acquire detection technology and canines, along with training requirements to ensure inspections are conducted lawfully and efficiently. It also establishes a public-private task force to improve information sharing about drug trafficking through transportation networks. The bill aims to disrupt drug smuggling while minimizing disruptions to legitimate commerce and ensuring Fourth Amendment protections.

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 summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 845) symbolically recognizes September 23-29, 2024, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week" to honor institutions serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages higher education institutions to seek support for programs addressing the needs of these student communities. The resolution highlights that these institutions enroll 46% of all Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander undergraduates despite representing only 6.9% of U.S. colleges. It urges the public and organizations to observe the week with activities supporting these institutions' educational missions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the military to provide each service member with a standardized "competency record" upon separation or retirement. The record details their specific training, certifications, dates, and qualifications - replacing vague service records with clear, employer-friendly documentation. The Secretary of Defense must create a uniform format within one year and report to Congress on implementation and employer feedback within two years. It directly affects transitioning service members seeking civilian jobs by making their military skills easier for employers to understand.