Sen. Jacky Rosen

Maddy summarySRES 655 is a Senate resolution passed on April 18, 2024, to honor the late Joseph I. Lieberman, a former U.S. Senator from Connecticut (1988-2013), following his death. The resolution recognizes his career, including his role in creating the Department of Homeland Security, establishing the 9/11 Commission, and advocating for civil rights and environmental protections. It directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory and transmit a copy to his family, expressing the Senate's sorrow and respect. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, as it solely commemorates his legacy.

Maddy summaryThe HOPE Act of 2024 creates a federal grant program to help states and local governments clear criminal records for individuals convicted of cannabis offenses that are no longer punishable under current state law or carry reduced penalties. Eligible states, local governments, or tribes can receive annual grants totaling $2 million per year (2025-2034) to fund technology, legal clinics, and automated processes for expungement. Grantees must also implement public notices about expungement availability and notify individuals when their record is cleared. The bill also requires a study on how cannabis convictions impact housing, employment, and incarceration costs, without collecting personal data. This directly affects people with past cannabis convictions in states that have decriminalized or reduced penalties for such offenses.

Maddy summaryThe Drought Resilient Infrastructure Act of 2024 authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement water conservation measures and prioritize water supply during droughts for projects under its management. It establishes a new program for drought resilience projects in the seven Colorado River Basin states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming), authorizing $35 million annually with a 10% non-Federal cost share requirement. The bill allows for modifications to existing projects to include features like improved water storage, removal of invasive species that worsen drought conditions (such as salt cedar), and use of natural or nature-based solutions. It also establishes a pilot program for forecast-informed reservoir operations and requires coordination with states while maintaining existing water rights and state water laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $4.6 billion in funding for 11 specific construction and renovation projects at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities across 10 states and Puerto Rico during fiscal year 2024. It directly affects veterans who receive care at these facilities by enabling improvements such as new specialty care buildings, mental health space expansions, seismic safety upgrades, parking facilities, and replacement of aging infrastructure. Key provisions include $759 million for a new health center in El Paso, $528 million for mental health and parking in Dallas, and $370 million for seismic corrections and new buildings in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The bill does not change VA benefits or eligibility but funds physical infrastructure upgrades to modernize healthcare delivery.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the HOME Investment Partnerships Program with increased annual funding from $5 billion in 2024 to over $6 billion by 2028, providing states and local jurisdictions with resources to develop and preserve affordable housing. Key changes include eliminating a commitment deadline, modifying homeownership resale restrictions to better protect long-term affordability, requiring property inspections to ensure housing quality, and establishing a new home loan guarantee program with a $2 billion initial limit. The bill also adds specific protections for small-scale housing (with four or fewer units) and tenants, while strengthening enforcement mechanisms for compliance with program requirements. These reforms aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the program in creating and maintaining affordable housing across participating jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and sell commemorative coins honoring the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. It specifies three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 100,000), $1 silver coins (max 500,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), all with designs reflecting soccer and the World Cup. A surcharge is added to each coin sale ($35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, $5 for half-dollars), with all surcharge revenue going directly to FWC2026 US, Inc. to fund U.S. soccer programs, particularly youth initiatives and underserved communities. The coins may only be sold during 2026 and must cover all costs to avoid government expense.

Maddy summarySRES 645 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating April 20-28, 2024, as "National Park Week." It does not create new laws or affect any group directly; instead, it formally recognizes this week to highlight the National Park System. The resolution encourages the public to responsibly visit, experience, and support national parks, referencing the system’s history, visitor statistics (325 million visits in 2023), and economic impact ($50.3 billion in 2022). As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to promote awareness of national parks.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It specifically applies to cases involving discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics in schools and federally funded programs. The bill clarifies that this guidance does not expand the Department's authority, alter existing discrimination standards, or affect First Amendment rights. It aims to ensure consistent enforcement against antisemitism under existing civil rights law, as previously adopted by the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires random assignment of certain civil cases challenging laws to a district court judge, rather than allowing parties to strategically choose courts. It directly affects individuals or groups filing lawsuits seeking nationwide challenges to federal laws or statewide challenges to state laws. The key provision mandates that cases asking courts to block, invalidate, or order enforcement of laws (including regulations or agency policies) must be randomly assigned to a judge in the filing district. This aims to prevent "judge shopping" by eliminating the ability to select a court based on perceived judicial bias. The rule applies to both federal and state law challenges filed in district courts.

Maddy summaryS 673, the Small Business Child Care Investment Act, expands access to small business loans for eligible nonprofit child care centers. It redefines "small business" under existing law to include nonprofit providers meeting specific criteria (like 501(c)(3) status, state licensing, and anti-discrimination policies), allowing them to qualify for SBA loan programs. Key provisions require loan guarantees for amounts over $500,000 but not for smaller loans, and prohibit denying eligibility based on religious activities protected by the First Amendment. The bill also mandates annual SBA reports to Congress tracking the number and value of loans provided to these providers.