Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Maddy summaryThe Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 aims to protect critical subsea fiber-optic cables that form the backbone of global internet infrastructure. It requires the U.S. government to increase engagement in international bodies like the International Cable Protection Committee, establish an interagency committee for coordination, and impose sanctions on foreign entities damaging cables. The bill mandates annual reports on Chinese and Russian cable activities, strengthens information sharing between government and private cable owners, and creates new reporting requirements for U.S. agencies. These provisions directly affect U.S. government agencies, private cable companies, and foreign entities that might threaten cable security. The act focuses on enhancing the security, resilience, and protection of subsea cable networks that are vital for global communications.

Maddy summaryThe GUARD Act allows state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to use existing federal grant funds to investigate elder financial fraud (targeting elderly or disabled individuals), "pig butchering" scams (where victims are tricked into investing in fake crypto schemes), and general financial fraud. It requires agencies to hire specialized staff, use technology tools for tracking scams, and report annually on how funds were used and their impact on fraud statistics. The bill also mandates two key federal reports: one to Congress on scam trends and enforcement actions, and another detailing annual consumer losses and government spending on fraud prevention. These provisions aim to improve coordination between law enforcement, financial institutions, and federal agencies to combat evolving fraud schemes.

Maddy summarySRES 599 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing the Senate's view that protecting Haitian women and girls' rights is essential for Haiti's stability. It condemns Haiti's transitional government for excluding women from leadership (e.g., no women on the Transitional Presidential Council) and failing to meet the constitutional 30% women's representation requirement, while also criticizing international partners for not prioritizing gender-based violence prevention. The resolution specifically calls for urgent measures including: ensuring 30% women in all government leadership roles, improving protection services for survivors of gender-based violence, and implementing safety protocols in displacement sites. It also demands the U.S. rebuild its Women, Peace, and Security programs and requires all aid to include gender-disaggregated data and prioritize women's leadership.

Maddy summaryThe SCAM Act requires online platforms that accept payment for advertisements to verify advertiser identities (including government ID and business documentation) and implement systems to detect and remove scam ads within 72 hours of reporting. It mandates platforms to conduct investigations, remove verified fraudulent ads within 24 hours, and maintain active impersonation detection programs. The law directly affects major social media and digital advertising platforms by imposing new verification and monitoring obligations to prevent deceptive ads targeting consumers. Enforcement falls to the Federal Trade Commission, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices under existing law.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Underrides Act 2.0 requires new safety standards for side underride guards on commercial trucks and trailers to prevent passenger vehicles from sliding under them during collisions. The bill mandates that the Secretary of Transportation finalize regulations requiring these guards within 18 months, with full compliance required within two years. The regulations must meet specific performance standards to prevent intrusion into passenger vehicle occupant space during side collisions at speeds up to 40 mph. This law directly affects commercial truck manufacturers, trucking companies, and all road users, particularly vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians who are at higher risk in underride crashes. The bill also establishes a public website for underride crash resources and requires studies to better understand and prevent these crashes.

Maddy summarySRES 593 is a Senate resolution honoring the 67 victims of the January 29, 2025 mid-air collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 over the Potomac River. It specifically recognizes the lives of all victims, including 11 U.S. figure skating athletes, their families, and 3 Army soldiers, as well as the 1,700+ first responders who assisted in the recovery efforts. The resolution offers condolences to affected families, acknowledges the bravery of emergency personnel, and commits the Senate to using safety lessons from the crash to prevent future incidents. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or provide direct benefits but serves to formally memorialize the tragedy and honor those impacted.

This resolution supports the designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer and recognizes the critical role of women in agriculture. The resolution also encourages citizens to celebrate the impact these women have on the food systems and agricultural workforce of the United States by encouraging and empowering women to pursue careers in agriculture and cultivate leadership opportunities.

Maddy summaryS 3717 establishes the Opportunities in Organic program to assist farmers and handlers with organic certification costs and transition to organic practices. It covers up to $1,500 annually in certification fees (with higher payments for socially disadvantaged farmers or regions with disproportionately high costs), provides technical assistance for soil health and organic management, and funds supply chain development like processing facilities. The program allocates $50 million annually for 2027-2028, increasing to $100 million by 2030, targeting socially disadvantaged farmers, farms near schools/residential areas, and under-resourced agricultural regions.

Maddy summarySRES 585 is a commemorative resolution honoring Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a former U.S. Senator from Colorado and the first Native American to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. It recognizes his military service, Olympic judo career, legislative work (including authoring the National Museum of the American Indian Act), and advocacy for tribal communities. The resolution has no policy impact - it formally expresses the Senate’s respect for his legacy, requests transmission to his family, and directs a moment of silence. It directly affects Campbell’s legacy and family, not any current policy or population. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with legislative provisions.)

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to prevent the President from nominating current or former political appointees as Inspectors General (IGs). It directly affects the appointment process for all federal agency IG positions by barring nominations of individuals serving as political appointees under the current President or who previously held such roles. The key provision states that the IG position itself cannot be considered a political appointee, ensuring the role remains non-partisan. This change aims to strengthen IG independence by removing potential political influence in their selection.