Maddy summaryS 4028 authorizes $15 million annually (2025-2029) through the National Science Foundation to fund competitive grants for programs supporting women, underrepresented minorities (including Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ individuals), and people with disabilities in STEM fields. Eligible entities like universities or nonprofits can use these grants for activities such as mentoring, internships, online workshops, and outreach to K-12 students. The bill directly affects institutions applying for these grants and the students and professionals they serve in STEM education and careers. It aims to address documented gaps in STEM participation and retention through concrete, funded initiatives rather than legislative mandates.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 4032 allows federal courts to issue arrest warrants for immigrants who have been charged or convicted of certain crimes. The bill specifically targets individuals charged or convicted of felonies, crimes of violence (including those endangering children), or deemed national security threats. Federal law enforcement can now seek these warrants directly from federal judges, requiring state or local authorities to hold the individual for up to 48 hours to facilitate transfer to federal custody. This changes current practice by creating a new federal court mechanism to expedite the transfer of targeted immigrants from state/local custody.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies collective bargaining rules for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) by removing three outdated subsections (formerly (b), (c), and (d)) and reorganizing the remaining rules. It directly affects VHA employees and their unions, streamlining how they negotiate with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The key change simplifies the existing framework without adding new requirements or restrictions. This is a procedural adjustment to the current labor relations process for VA healthcare workers.
Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts veterans' disability and survivor benefits to match the cost-of-living increase for Social Security beneficiaries. Effective December 1, 2024, it requires the VA to raise payments for disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation (for spouses and children), and clothing allowances by the same percentage as the Social Security COLA announced for that year. These adjustments directly affect veterans receiving disability compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114, veterans with dependents under § 1115, surviving spouses under § 1311, and children under §§ 1313-1314. The bill ensures veterans' benefits rise automatically with the Social Security COLA, without requiring new legislative action each year.
Maddy summaryThe American Innovation Act (S 3997) authorizes significant funding increases for federal science and technology programs through fiscal year 2035. It directly affects five key agencies: the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy’s Office of Science, Department of Defense science programs, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. The bill sets specific annual funding levels for each agency (e.g., $9.74 billion for NSF in 2025), with automatic annual increases tied to inflation for years 2035 onward. It also exempts these appropriations from sequestration under the Balanced Budget Act, ensuring stable funding without requiring offsetting budget cuts.
Maddy summaryThe PAST Act of 2024 amends the Horse Protection Act to strengthen protections against "soring" - the deliberate infliction of pain on horses to exaggerate their gait, primarily affecting Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses at shows, exhibitions, or sales. Key provisions include defining prohibited "action devices" (like certain boots or weighted shoes), implementing stricter disqualification periods for sore horses (180 days, then 1 year, then 3 years), requiring licensed, conflict-free inspectors, and increasing penalties for violations (fines up to $5,000 per offense and up to 3 years in prison). The bill directly affects event organizers, inspectors, competitors, and horse owners by mandating new inspection protocols and enforcement. It focuses on concrete policy changes to prevent animal cruelty in the horse show industry.
Maddy summaryThe EAT Local Foods Act of 2024 establishes a federal program to provide $200 million annually (through mandatory funding and appropriations) to state, local, and tribal governments for purchasing food from local producers and distributing it within their communities. It requires that at least 51% of all food purchased under the program must come from small, beginning, or underserved farmers, ranchers, or fishers, and all food must be sourced within 400 miles of the delivery location. Funds must be used to support underserved communities, spent within three years, and at least half of administrative costs must go toward technical assistance for farmers. The program is authorized for fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
Maddy summaryThe Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2024 establishes a federal pilot grant program to improve recycling access in underserved communities. It authorizes $30 million annually (2023-2027) to fund competitive grants for eligible entities - including states, local governments, tribes, and public-private partnerships - to build transfer stations, expand curbside recycling, and create hub-and-spoke infrastructure networks. Grants range from $500,000 to $15 million per project, with 70% of funds reserved for single or multiple underserved communities lacking nearby recycling facilities. The program prohibits grant use for education and requires the EPA to report on outcomes, including recycling rate improvements, within two years of first grants.
Maddy summaryThis bill adds phosphate and potash to the Department of the Interior's official list of critical minerals, which identifies minerals vital to U.S. economic and national security. It directly affects domestic mining companies seeking to develop these minerals, as the change could influence federal permitting and leasing processes. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate current policies related to mining projects for these minerals within 90 days of enactment and submit recommendations to relevant congressional committees. These recommendations aim to support increased domestic production of phosphate and potash. The policy changes are limited to updating the critical minerals list and initiating a review of development policies, with no immediate regulatory changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new programs to increase affordable rental housing on property owned by faith-based organizations and colleges. It provides $25 million in fiscal year 2024 for technical assistance to help these groups understand how to develop or preserve housing, and $50 million annually from 2024-2029 in competitive grants for local governments and states to remove policy barriers to such housing. The grants specifically support housing for households earning ≤60% of area median income, homeless individuals/families, veterans, people with disabilities, and intergenerational families. These programs directly affect faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and local governments seeking to expand affordable housing options in well-resourced communities.