Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Maddy summaryS 3581, the "No Settlements for January 6 Law Enforcement Assaulters Act," prohibits using federal funds (including the Judgment Fund) to settle claims by individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach. It directly affects those convicted under federal or D.C. law for assaulting officers during the Capitol events, banning settlements for claims related to harm suffered during the events or prosecution for those acts. The bill's key mechanism blocks all federal financial obligations for such settlements, regardless of the claim's basis. This is a substantive policy change affecting legal settlements for specific convicted individuals, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide cost-share grants covering 70% of the expenses for farmers and eligible schools to retrofit agricultural tractors with rollover protection structures (ROPS) - safety cages that prevent injury if a tractor flips. It directly affects agricultural producers and specific educational institutions, including vocational schools, colleges with agricultural programs, and secondary schools offering agricultural training. The grants cover costs for purchasing, transporting, and installing ROPS that meet SAE safety standards and include seatbelts, with higher coverage if costs exceed $500. Funding of $725,000 annually from 2027-2031 will support these grants, administered through a designated program manager.

Maddy summarySJRES 82 is a joint resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding how the agency should follow the text of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), a federal law governing how agencies create regulations. The rule, published in March 2025, was identified by the Government Accountability Office as a "rule" subject to the Congressional Review Act. If enacted, this resolution would void the HHS policy, preventing it from taking effect and requiring HHS to disregard this specific internal guideline. The bill directly affects HHS's rulemaking procedures by invalidating the policy statement on APA adherence.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) loans under federal law as short-term payment plans for retail purchases repaid in four or fewer interest-free installments with no fees. It extends existing consumer protections from the Truth in Lending Act to BNPL loans, requiring lenders to follow the same rules as credit card issuers regarding dispute resolution, account protections, and customer rights. The bill directly affects BNPL lenders (who must now comply with these rules) and consumers using BNPL services for retail purchases. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must issue implementing rules within one year of the law’s enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park in New York to preserve the site where 982 WWII refugees were housed (1944-1946), requiring the Secretary of the Interior to first acquire sufficient land and publish a Federal Register notice. It also designates the America’s National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri, as a National Historic Landmark, while mandating a 3-year federal study to evaluate its potential inclusion in the National Park System. The park will be managed under standard National Park System rules, with a requirement for a management plan within 3 years. The landmark designation does not alter local ownership or administration of the museum property.

Essential Caregivers Act of 2025   This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods.   Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period. Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the implementation of the WISeR model under Medicare, specifically blocking the Secretary of Health and Human Services from adopting the "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model" or any similar model. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and providers by preventing a new payment and service delivery approach that would require prior authorization for certain services. The key provision is a direct ban on the WISeR model's rollout, as outlined in the July 1, 2025, federal notice. This change would maintain current Medicare approval processes for affected services without creating new requirements. The bill does not establish new benefits or alter existing Medicare coverage rules.

Maddy summaryThe Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 establishes new requirements for nuclear power plant decommissioning activities, directly affecting nuclear plant operators, host states, tribal governments, and nearby communities within 50 miles of decommissioning facilities. Key provisions require licensees to consult with affected states and tribal governments before submitting decommissioning plans or transferring licenses, establish grant programs for community advisory boards to facilitate public input, and create economic recovery accounts funded by nuclear plant operators to support host communities during and after decommissioning. The bill also provides financial assistance to communities with stranded nuclear waste based on the amount of spent nuclear fuel stored at decommissioned plants. These measures aim to ensure public health and environmental protection while supporting communities affected by nuclear plant decommissioning.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to remove a specific deadline for completing background checks on firearm purchases. It deletes the requirement that background checks must be completed within 10 business days, as previously established under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. The change directly affects firearm sellers (such as licensed dealers) who conduct these checks, removing a strict timeline for completing the process. The bill focuses on technical adjustments to existing background check procedures without altering the underlying requirements for the checks themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes waiting periods for disability and Medicare benefits for people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Specifically, it amends the Social Security Act to add "metastatic breast cancer" to the list of conditions that immediately qualify individuals for disability insurance benefits (eliminating a standard 24-month waiting period) and for Medicare coverage (removing a 24-month waiting period for Medicare Part A). The changes apply only to new applications or benefit periods starting after the bill becomes law. It directly affects patients with metastatic breast cancer seeking timely access to income support and healthcare coverage.