Maddy summaryS 4324, the "Jobs, Not Waste Act of 2024," terminates the federal effort to build a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. It repeals key provisions of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act and requires the Department of Energy to withdraw its application for a construction permit and end the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's licensing process for the site. The bill also prohibits the Department of Energy from considering Yucca Mountain for future repository use and mandates the Department of Energy to reclaim the site and address environmental impacts. Additionally, it requires a study within 180 days on alternative economic uses for the site - such as defense facilities, data centers, renewable energy, or research - based on a 2011 Government Accountability Office report. This directly affects federal agencies managing nuclear waste and the Yucca Mountain site.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2024 requires the Transportation Security Administration to transition its workforce from its current personnel management system to the standard federal employee system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by December 31, 2024, while protecting employees from pay or benefit reductions during the transition. The bill preserves existing leave, retirement benefits, and collective bargaining rights for screening agents, and includes specific provisions for Federal air marshals regarding pay and benefits. It mandates consultation with labor representatives during the transition and requires several reports on workforce conditions, including recruitment efforts, workplace safety, and employee satisfaction.
Maddy summaryS 4300 restricts U.S. call center employers from moving operations overseas or outsourcing work to foreign entities without 120 days' notice to the Labor Secretary. It creates a public list of violators, barring them from federal grants or loans for 5 years, and requires federal contracts to keep call center work in the U.S. The bill also mandates that businesses disclose their physical location at the start of customer service calls (with exceptions for U.S.-based teams or emergencies) and allows customers to request transfers to U.S.-based agents. These rules apply to businesses employing 50+ call center workers (full-time equivalent) and are enforced by the Labor Secretary and Federal Trade Commission.
Maddy summaryThe Five AIs Act 2024 establishes a "Five AIs Strategic Artificial Intelligence Working Group" under the U.S. Department of Defense and National Intelligence to coordinate AI initiatives among the Five Eyes countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) for defense and intelligence operations. The group will compare AI systems and practices used in military and intelligence contexts, develop shared strategies for research, data management, and interoperability, and test AI model safety and redundancy. It must submit a plan within 60 days and biannual reports to Congress, with the working group terminating on September 30, 2028, unless extended for national security reasons.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for replacing insecure communication networks by raising the expenditure limit from $1.9 billion to $4.98 billion under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. It significantly reforms the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) by requiring all households to verify eligibility through a centralized National Verifier system, ending free device subsidies, and tightening eligibility rules (e.g., requiring school lunch program participation for household qualification). The bill allocates $6 billion for the ACP in fiscal year 2024, mandates new antifraud controls within 180 days, and requires the FCC to report on program effectiveness within one year. These changes directly affect low-income households receiving broadband subsidies and aim to reduce program fraud while expanding network security funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (via the Cybersecurity Agency Director) to create a workforce development strategy for rural hospitals within one year of enactment. The strategy must address cybersecurity staffing gaps by building partnerships with schools and providers, developing tailored training curricula for rural areas, and recommending policy changes. It also mandates the creation of accessible cybersecurity training materials for hospital staff and annual reports to Congress on progress and effectiveness. The bill directly affects rural hospitals - defined as non-urban facilities providing inpatient care - and aims to strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities through structured workforce development.
Maddy summaryS 4284, the Education Flexibility for Veteran Parents Act of 2024, increases housing stipends for veteran parents using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. It directly affects veteran parents with dependent children who take education courses entirely through distance learning (more than half-time). The bill amends the GI Bill to provide these parents the same monthly housing stipend they would receive if attending classes on campus in their ZIP code area. This change applies to the first academic year after the bill's enactment and all subsequent years. The key provision removes a disparity in housing support for veteran parents relying on distance learning.
Maddy summarySRES 505 is a Senate resolution condemning Hamas for allegedly using sexual violence and rape as a weapon of war during its October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. It cites evidence gathered by Israeli authorities, including reports from over 1,500 victims and witnesses, and references the Fourth Geneva Convention which classifies rape in conflict as a war crime. The resolution calls on the international community to prioritize eliminating gender-based violence in conflicts, respond promptly to reports of such violence, and demand accountability for perpetrators. It directly honors victims of the attacks and stands with survivors and families affected by these alleged atrocities.
Maddy summaryThis bill imposes sanctions on foreign individuals, entities, and governments that provide material support to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), or their affiliates. It requires the President to identify and sanction foreign persons who knowingly assist these groups through financial or material support, and mandates sanctions against foreign governments that provide material support for their terrorist activities. The bill also requires regular reports to Congress on foreign countries' efforts to disrupt Hamas and PIJ's fundraising, financing, and money laundering activities. It includes exceptions for humanitarian aid and military assistance, and would terminate either 3 years after enactment or when the President certifies that Hamas and PIJ are no longer designated as terrorist organizations.
Maddy summaryThe MAHSA Act (S 2626) requires the U.S. President to impose sanctions on Iranian officials and entities linked to human rights abuses or terrorism, specifically targeting the Supreme Leader, President, and their offices, as well as affiliated entities. Within 90 days of enactment (and annually thereafter), the President must determine which individuals or entities meet sanction criteria under existing U.S. programs, then impose or pursue sanctions and submit detailed reports to Congress. These reports must list targeted persons, the sanctions applied or planned, and justifications for any waivers, with Congress having 60 days to request reviews of specific cases. The bill aims to hold Iranian leadership accountable for human rights violations and terrorism support through enforceable U.S. sanctions.