Sen. Jeff Merkley

Maddy summaryThe Empowering States' Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2026 would amend federal consumer credit law to require that annual percentage rates (APRs) for non-mortgage consumer credit - such as credit cards and personal loans - cannot exceed the maximum rate permitted by the state where the consumer resides. This means state laws, not federal limits, would set the cap for these products, directly affecting consumers in states with lower interest rate restrictions and the financial institutions offering these services. The bill adds a new section (140B) to the Truth in Lending Act, explicitly overriding federal APR rules for non-mortgage transactions. It does not apply to residential mortgages.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of images of living current or former elected officials or other political figures on the America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. It directly affects the National Park Service and pass designers, who create the annual entrance pass used by visitors to federal recreational lands. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly ban such political imagery on the pass, ensuring the design remains neutral and focused on park landscapes rather than political figures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal pathway for individuals harmed by ICE or CBP officers to sue the U.S. government directly for constitutional violations. It amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to allow victims to seek monetary damages for deprivations of rights under the Constitution, including due process violations, racial profiling, unreasonable searches, or privacy rights infringements, regardless of whether the violation stemmed from official policy. The government would be liable for these damages, funded from specific appropriations (like those for border security), and the bill waives sovereign immunity for such cases. This directly affects people subjected to unlawful immigration enforcement actions by ICE or CBP officers, providing them a new civil remedy against the government.

Maddy summaryS 3717 establishes the Opportunities in Organic program to assist farmers and handlers with organic certification costs and transition to organic practices. It covers up to $1,500 annually in certification fees (with higher payments for socially disadvantaged farmers or regions with disproportionately high costs), provides technical assistance for soil health and organic management, and funds supply chain development like processing facilities. The program allocates $50 million annually for 2027-2028, increasing to $100 million by 2030, targeting socially disadvantaged farmers, farms near schools/residential areas, and under-resourced agricultural regions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new committees under the Financial Stability Oversight Council to address climate-related risks in the financial system. It requires annual reports assessing climate risks' impact on financial stability, updates supervisory guidance for banks with over $50 billion in assets to include climate risks, and mandates a Federal Insurance Office report on homeowners insurance data to evaluate climate impacts. The law directly affects major financial institutions, federal regulators (like the Fed and SEC), state insurance commissioners, and the insurance sector. Key mechanisms include creating a Climate Financial Risk Committee for coordination, an Advisory Committee with climate and financial experts (excluding oil/gas industry), and requiring updated risk management practices for large financial firms.

Maddy summarySRES 588 is a symbolic Senate resolution celebrating the 40th anniversary of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), which began in 1986. It recognizes the ICC’s global impact, including nearly 19 million volunteers removing over 400 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways across 155 countries since 1986. The resolution encourages U.S. citizens to participate in ICC cleanups and highlights the need to reduce plastic pollution at its source, particularly single-use plastics. As a procedural resolution, it does not enact policy changes or directly affect any individuals or entities.

Maddy summaryThe Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act establishes new standards for facilities detaining immigrants under DHS custody, requiring compliance with minimum protections based on American Bar Association standards. It mandates annual unannounced inspections by the DHS Inspector General with public reporting of findings, creates a detailed public database of all detention facilities, and phases out private detention facilities within 3 years. The bill prohibits solitary confinement, requires access to legal orientation and counsel for detainees, and changes detention procedures to require more frequent hearings with a presumption of release for most detainees. These changes directly affect immigrants in DHS custody, DHS facilities, and private contractors operating detention facilities.

Maddy summarySRES 583 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating 2026 as "The Year of The Power of Nurses" to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the American Nurses Association (founded in 1896). It formally recognizes nurses as the largest healthcare workforce segment and honors their century-long contributions to public health, patient care, and pandemic response. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply affirms the Senate’s symbolic recognition of nurses’ roles through advocacy, education, and frontline service. It directly honors nurses nationwide and the American Nurses Association’s legacy, with no direct impact on individuals or healthcare systems.

Maddy summarySRES 585 is a commemorative resolution honoring Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a former U.S. Senator from Colorado and the first Native American to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. It recognizes his military service, Olympic judo career, legislative work (including authoring the National Museum of the American Indian Act), and advocacy for tribal communities. The resolution has no policy impact - it formally expresses the Senate’s respect for his legacy, requests transmission to his family, and directs a moment of silence. It directly affects Campbell’s legacy and family, not any current policy or population. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with legislative provisions.)

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to prevent the President from nominating current or former political appointees as Inspectors General (IGs). It directly affects the appointment process for all federal agency IG positions by barring nominations of individuals serving as political appointees under the current President or who previously held such roles. The key provision states that the IG position itself cannot be considered a political appointee, ensuring the role remains non-partisan. This change aims to strengthen IG independence by removing potential political influence in their selection.