Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes new sanctions on foreign entities (including banks, insurers, and logistics companies) that knowingly facilitate Iran's oil, gas, LNG, or petrochemical exports. It blocks U.S. property of sanctioned entities and bars targeted individuals from entering the U.S. via visa restrictions or revocation. Exceptions cover goods imports and certain international obligations, while the President may grant limited 180-day waivers for national security reasons, subject to congressional reporting. The law aims to disrupt Iran's energy revenue streams used for terrorism, weapons programs, and repression, with enforcement coordinated through a new interagency working group.

Maddy summaryS 529, the Capping Prescription Costs Act of 2025, limits how much individuals and families must pay annually out-of-pocket for prescription drugs under most health insurance plans. Starting in 2026, it caps these costs at $2,000 per person or $4,000 per family per year, with automatic annual adjustments using the medical care inflation rate (CPI). This applies to both individual health plans (under the Affordable Care Act) and group health plans (like employer-sponsored coverage), as amended across multiple federal laws. The bill does not change drug prices but directly affects millions of health plan enrollees by setting a maximum annual cost for covered prescriptions.

Maddy summarySRES 64 is a Senate resolution honoring the 67 victims of a mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army aircraft near Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025. It directly affects the families, friends, and communities of the victims, who were from multiple U.S. states and several countries. The resolution formally commemorates the lives lost, offers condolences to grieving families, and expresses gratitude to the 42 emergency response agencies that assisted in rescue and recovery efforts. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy or legal effect beyond expressing collective mourning and recognition.

Protecting Sensitive Locations Act This bill prohibits immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a sensitive location except in exigent circumstances, such as the imminent risk of death, violence, or physical harm to any person. Sensitive locations include  health care facilities; schools and school bus stops; places that provide assistance for people such as children, pregnant women, and abuse victims; child care facilities; places that provide disaster or emergency services; places of worship; courthouses and lawyers’ offices; facilities used as polling places; certain labor union facilities; and public assistance offices. The prohibition shall apply to Department of Homeland Security officers and agents, as well as state employees pursuing immigration enforcement actions. If an enforcement action is carried out in violation of this prohibition (1) no information resulting from the action may be entered into the record in a resulting removal proceeding, and (2) the affected individual may move to immediately terminate such a proceeding. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall annually report to Congress about enforcement actions taken at sensitive locations in the preceding year.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs $1.4 billion annually (2025-2029) to upgrade U.S. Postal Service mailboxes with high-security models and replace physical "arrow keys" with electronic locks, directly affecting postal carriers and mail collection points. It requires the Attorney General to appoint dedicated prosecutors in each judicial district to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of crimes against postal employees, including assaults or robberies. The bill also mandates the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend guidelines so that assaults or robberies against postal employees are treated with the same severity as assaults against law enforcement officers. These changes aim to enhance physical security, improve legal responses to violence, and increase penalties for attacks on postal workers.

Maddy summaryS 468, the SECURE Firearm Storage Act, requires federally licensed firearm importers, manufacturers, and dealers to securely store firearms and paper records when their business premises are closed. It mandates that firearms must be secured using a hardened steel rod through the trigger guard (with specific locks and anchoring) or stored in locked fireproof safes, cabinets, or vaults. The bill also requires secure storage for paper transaction records and allows the Attorney General to set additional security rules for businesses. Violations trigger tiered penalties: $1,000-$10,000 fines for first offenses, license suspension for second offenses, and license revocation for third offenses. The storage requirements for firearms take effect one year after enactment, while paper record rules begin 90 days after enactment.

This resolution condemns Russia's nuclear escalatory rhetoric and implied threats on the potential use of nuclear weapons in the context of its invasion of Ukraine. The resolution also (1) condemns Russia's purported suspension of participation in the New START Treaty, (2) emphasizes the value of arms control agreements between the United States and Russia, and (3) calls on the administration to continue pursuing nuclear arms control and risk reduction with Russia and China.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by reducing the required employment duration from 12 months to 90 days for most workers. It also broadens coverage to apply to all employers, regardless of size (down from the previous 50+ employee threshold), affecting nearly all private and public sector workers. Key provisions include modifying FMLA eligibility rules, adjusting federal employee leave requirements, and updating congressional employee provisions to align with the new 90-day standard. The changes apply to leave taken on or after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThe Plum Island Preservation Act permanently protects Plum Island, New York, and its associated properties for ecological conservation, historical/cultural heritage preservation, and public access. It requires the General Services Administrator, within 180 days of enactment, to initiate visioning sessions with federal agencies, state governments, Tribal nations, and stakeholders to develop a future ecological management plan. The Administrator must submit annual reports to Congress detailing consultation efforts, discussion topics, outcomes, and timelines for completing this planning process. The bill directly affects the management of Plum Island’s federal land and ensures ongoing oversight through mandatory reporting to congressional committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to study whether Plum Island in New York should be added to the National Park System or National Wildlife Refuge System, or protected through other means. The study must evaluate the island's national significance, consult with relevant agencies and groups, and estimate costs for potential protection options. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress within three years of funding the study, outlining findings and recommendations. The bill itself does not change current protections or management of Plum Island; it only authorizes a study to inform future decisions.