Sen. Jeff Merkley

Maddy summaryThe Smarter Approaches to Nuclear Expenditures Act (S 1754) imposes specific spending limits and prohibitions on U.S. nuclear weapons programs to address cost concerns. It caps deployed strategic warheads at 1,000 (aligned with New START Treaty definitions), limits submarines to eight Columbia-class vessels, restricts intercontinental ballistic missiles to 150, and bans funding for new systems like the F-35 nuclear mission, W76-2 warheads, LGM-35 Sentinel ICBMs, and new submarine-launched cruise missiles. The bill also prohibits expansion of plutonium pit production without congressional reporting and bans the W-93 warhead and space-based missile defense development. Required reports will track implementation, cost savings, and annual nuclear program spending to ensure accountability.

Maddy summarySRES 224 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating May 2023 as "ALS Awareness Month." It recognizes the challenges of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells, noting that about 5,000 Americans are diagnosed annually and there is no cure. The resolution affirms the Senate's commitment to supporting ALS patients and caregivers, including access to treatments, research into causes, and reducing the disease's physical, emotional, and financial burdens. It does not create new laws or policies but serves to raise public awareness and honor efforts by families, researchers, and caregivers.

Maddy summarySRES 220 is a Senate resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program. The resolution acknowledges the program's 30-year history of building security partnerships with 100 nations and expresses gratitude to National Guard members for their service in fostering these international relationships. It does not create new policy but formally honors the program's role in strengthening global security cooperation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 209) is a symbolic Senate measure recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It formally celebrates the historical contributions of these communities to the United States, highlighting their diverse cultural impact and achievements. The resolution does not create new laws or policies - it simply encourages the Senate to observe the month with recognition of these communities' roles in U.S. history. It follows longstanding tradition, as May was chosen to honor key milestones including the arrival of Japanese immigrants and Chinese laborers on the transcontinental railroad.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 3-year pilot program to help schools and community groups deliver summer meals to children in need. It provides grants (up to $100,000 per grant) for eligible entities - like schools serving high-poverty areas - to buy or retrofit vehicles for noncongregate meal distribution. Priority goes to entities with high rates of students eligible for free/reduced lunches and those serving socially disadvantaged communities. Grantees must report on meals served and administrative use (capping at 10% of funds), and the program requires a final report to Congress after four years.

Maddy summaryThe Democracy Restoration Act of 2023 (S 1677) would restore voting rights for most U.S. citizens with criminal convictions who are not serving a felony sentence in prison. It requires states to notify individuals when they regain voting rights, with specific timelines for notification after sentencing or release from custody. The bill prohibits states from requiring payment of fines or fees to restore voting rights, affecting over 4.6 million disenfranchised citizens. It applies only to federal elections and would take effect for elections held after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a federal paid family and medical leave insurance program, providing wage replacement benefits for workers who need time off for family or medical reasons. Eligible workers would receive up to $4,000 per month (with a minimum of $580), calculated as 85% of the first $1,257 in monthly earnings, 69% of the next $2,243, and 50% of any amount above that. The program would be funded through 0.2% payroll taxes on both employees and employers, administered by the Social Security Administration. It would directly affect workers who meet income requirements, with benefits available for up to 60 caregiving days per benefit period.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to fund training for law enforcement officers on interacting with people with disabilities and older adults with cognitive impairments. Nonprofit disability organizations will receive grants to develop training programs requiring at least 8 hours of mandatory training for new officers (including 4 hours of interactive learning with covered individuals) and 4 hours of annual refresher training for existing officers. The training covers communication strategies, de-escalation techniques, identifying disabilities, and community resources, with a requirement that covered individuals serve as instructors. Funded at $100 million annually through 2026, the program aims to reduce violent encounters based on findings that people with disabilities are 2.5 times more likely to be victims of violent crime and disproportionately affected by police violence.

Maddy summaryThe Extinction Prevention Act of 2023 establishes four separate conservation funds to protect threatened and endangered species across North America. The bill creates dedicated funds for butterfly conservation across North America, plant conservation in the Pacific Islands, freshwater mussel conservation in the United States, and desert fish conservation in the Southwest. Each fund provides competitive grants for projects that conserve specific species, with priority given to endangered species, sustainable projects, and those with matching funds. The bill authorizes $5 million annually from 2024 through 2029 for these conservation efforts, requiring regular reporting on fund usage and species status to Congress. These funds will directly support conservation organizations, tribal agencies, research institutions, and local governments working to protect these specific ecosystems and species.

Maddy summaryThe Perinatal Workforce Act (S 1710) aims to increase diversity and improve care for pregnant and postpartum people by directing the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary to issue guidance for states on recruiting racially and linguistically diverse maternity care providers and establishing culturally competent care teams. It authorizes $15 million annually for 5 years to fund grants for schools training midwives, nurse practitioners, and perinatal health workers, prioritizing programs that recruit from underrepresented groups and address maternal health disparities in underserved areas. The bill requires grant recipients to track student demographics, career placements in shortage areas, and include implicit bias training in curricula. It also mandates a HHS study on best practices in equitable care and a GAO report assessing barriers to accessing maternal health education and services. The law directly affects hospitals, midwifery practices, nursing schools, and insurers by setting new standards for workforce diversity and culturally responsive care.