Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Edward J. Dwight, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025, authorizes Congress to award a gold medal to Edward J. Dwight, Jr., the first African American astronaut candidate in U.S. history, recognizing his service, his example of excellence amid racial discrimination during the Civil Rights Era, and his later contributions as a renowned sculptor. The Secretary of the Treasury will design and strike the medal, with duplicate bronze versions available for sale to cover production costs. The medal will be presented to Dwight or, if he is unavailable, to his heir, Curtis Christopher Dwight. This is a ceremonial honor with no direct policy impact beyond commemoration.

Maddy summaryThe Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act establishes special rules for handling successive antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, requiring the Department of Commerce to consider prior injury determinations when making new findings. It addresses market distortions from foreign government subsidies and currency undervaluation by expanding how the U.S. calculates fair trade values for imported goods. The bill also creates new procedures to prevent circumvention of existing duties (such as by changing product descriptions to avoid tariffs) and requires importers to certify that merchandise isn't subject to existing duties. These changes primarily affect U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Commerce, and importers of goods from countries that may be engaging in trade-distorting practices.

Maddy summaryS 696 creates "Ukrainian guest status" for individuals paroled into the U.S. under the Uniting for Ukraine program (announced April 2022). This status, effective from their initial parole date, grants eligible Ukrainians employment authorization and temporary legal presence. The status expires 120 days after the Secretary of State certifies that Ukraine hostilities have ended and safe return conditions exist. It can be revoked if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines an individual meets specific grounds under immigration law. This bill directly affects Ukrainians admitted through the Uniting for Ukraine parole process.

Maddy summaryThe First Responders Wellness Act creates a national 24/7 mental health hotline for first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers) and their families, offering toll-free voice and text support. The hotline must be staffed by trained peer specialists or mental health providers familiar with first responder stressors and must coordinate with existing crisis lines like 988. It requires annual public awareness campaigns, annual reports on effectiveness, and authorizes $10 million yearly for 2025-2031. The bill also directs a report on on-site crisis services for emergency response providers during major disasters.

Maddy summaryS 677, the Border Airport Fairness Act of 2025, would require the President to designate qualifying airports within 30 miles of the U.S. northern or southern border as official ports of entry. These airports must be primary airports (as defined by federal law) and formally connected to a border crossing or seaport within 30 miles, meeting U.S. Customs and Border Protection's established criteria. The bill's key provision removes user fees currently applied to these airports under the 1984 Trade and Tariff Act. This change directly affects eligible border-area airports by eliminating a specific fee obligation, streamlining their status as ports of entry.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Equal COLA Act (S 624), equalizes cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for federal retirees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). It directly affects current and future FERS retirees, who currently receive less favorable COLAs than CSRS retirees. The key provision amends federal law to apply the same annual COLA calculation method - based on the previous year's price index change - to both systems, effective December 1 each year. This change ensures FERS annuities receive the same adjustment percentage as CSRS annuities, regardless of when the annuity began. The bill applies to all affected annuities commencing before, on, or after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires dairy manufacturers to report detailed production costs and product yield information for all products processed at their facilities. It directly affects dairy processors by mandating this new data collection under the Agricultural Marketing Act. The key mechanism is a requirement for manufacturers to submit this cost data, which the Secretary must then publish in reports every two years after an initial three-year period. These reports will provide public transparency on dairy processing costs, but the bill does not change milk pricing or set specific price levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts from federal income tax payments received as judgments, awards, or settlements related to sexual assault or sexual harassment claims. It directly affects survivors who win such claims, including amounts for back pay, punitive damages, attorney fees, and other related payments. Key provisions amend the tax code to exclude these specific payments from taxable income, social security taxes, railroad retirement taxes, unemployment taxes, and wage withholding. The law applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThe Age 21 Act (S 597) would prohibit individuals under 21 years old from purchasing certain firearms and related items. The bill specifically targets semiautomatic assault weapons, certain pistols, shotguns, and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices by amending Section 922 of Title 18. It defines detailed categories of firearms that would be covered, including specific models like AR-15s and AK-47s, as well as features like detachable magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. The bill would require sellers to verify that buyers are at least 21 years old for these specific firearms and ammunition types. This would directly affect young adults aged 18-20 who would no longer be able to purchase these defined firearms.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal U.S.-Israel defense partnership focused on joint development of counter-unmanned systems technology, authorizing $150 million annually from 2026-2030 for a dedicated program. It directly affects U.S. and Israeli defense departments, contractors, and military personnel through collaborative research, joint training, and shared procurement of counter-drone systems. Additional provisions include extending existing anti-tunnel and counter-UAS cooperation with increased funding, creating a new emerging tech program for AI/cybersecurity collaboration, and establishing a U.S. Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on program progress and mandates semiannual financial oversight for all joint activities.