Sen. Jeff Merkley

Maddy summarySRES 580 is a resolution directing the Architect of the Capitol to display a plaque honoring law enforcement officers who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in a publicly accessible area of the Senate wing until it can be placed permanently on the Capitol's western front. The plaque recognizes officers from the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and other federal, state, and local agencies who responded during the January 6th incident. This action implements a prior requirement from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (section 214), which mandated the plaque's creation. The resolution does not create new policy but specifies the temporary display location for an existing plaque.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes fees for unaccompanied children in multiple immigration processes. It directly affects minors defined as "unaccompanied alien children" under the Homeland Security Act (those without parents or guardians in the U.S.), by exempting them from fees for asylum applications, employment authorization, immigration court filings, and other related services. Key provisions include repealing the special immigrant juvenile fee and adding explicit exemptions to 10 different fee sections in immigration law. The bill also requires the government to refund fees paid under repealed or amended provisions within 180 days. It further limits information sharing between health and immigration agencies to protect these children’s privacy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and honors the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and Capitol staff (including custodial, janitorial, and maintenance personnel) who protected the building during the assault. It recognizes their bravery in defending Congress during the attack, which injured over 100 officers and contributed to five officer deaths, and acknowledges their ongoing essential work in maintaining Capitol operations. The resolution expresses Senate gratitude for their service and reaffirms commitment to protecting democratic processes. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds to compensate individuals prosecuted for the January 6 Capitol attack, including those later pardoned. It bans using funds from the Judgment Fund, victim compensation programs, or creating new compensation funds for these individuals. Additionally, it prevents refunds of court-ordered restitution, fines, or special assessments paid by convicted rioters, directing any such funds to the Architect of the Capitol instead. The law directly affects people convicted (or pardoned) for involvement in the January 6 attack.

Maddy summaryS 3581, the "No Settlements for January 6 Law Enforcement Assaulters Act," prohibits using federal funds (including the Judgment Fund) to settle claims by individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach. It directly affects those convicted under federal or D.C. law for assaulting officers during the Capitol events, banning settlements for claims related to harm suffered during the events or prosecution for those acts. The bill's key mechanism blocks all federal financial obligations for such settlements, regardless of the claim's basis. This is a substantive policy change affecting legal settlements for specific convicted individuals, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summarySJRES 82 is a joint resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding how the agency should follow the text of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), a federal law governing how agencies create regulations. The rule, published in March 2025, was identified by the Government Accountability Office as a "rule" subject to the Congressional Review Act. If enacted, this resolution would void the HHS policy, preventing it from taking effect and requiring HHS to disregard this specific internal guideline. The bill directly affects HHS's rulemaking procedures by invalidating the policy statement on APA adherence.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 321) formally commemorates the 30th anniversary of normalized U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations on July 11, 2025. It recognizes the bilateral relationship's foundation in reconciliation efforts, honors Vietnamese American contributions to U.S. communities, and reaffirms U.S. support for ongoing war legacy programs - including dioxin cleanup at Bien Hoa Airport and unexploded ordnance removal. The resolution symbolically honors military service from both nations and underscores continued cooperation in trade, defense, and regional security. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect but serves to acknowledge historical milestones and shared commitments.

Maddy summaryThe Data Care Act of 2025 requires online service providers (like social media platforms or apps that collect user data) to securely handle "individual identifying data," especially sensitive information like health details, biometrics, financial data, or precise location. It imposes three key duties: (1) reasonably securing data from breaches, (2) not misusing data to harm users or benefit themselves, and (3) restricting data sharing to third parties only with strict confidentiality contracts. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general can enforce these rules through penalties for violations, with civil fines calculated based on the number of affected users or days of noncompliance. The law directly affects major digital platforms collecting user data and takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 This act extends and modifies the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, under which states and counties containing certain federal land may receive payments from the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for schools, roads, and certain other municipal services. The act modifies the SRS program, including by extending payments made to states and counties containing federal land through FY2026, providing lapsed payments for FY2024 and FY2025, extending the authority of counties to initiate projects using such funds through FY2028, and extending the authority to initiate projects proposed by resource advisory committees through FY2028.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 554) recognizes the established connection between climate change and rising home insurance costs in the U.S. It cites data showing insured disaster losses have increased 1,000% since 2000 (to over $100 billion annually) and insurance premiums have more than doubled since 2013, with some states averaging over $14,000 yearly. The resolution states that climate-driven natural disasters are driving these costs, which now exceed 20% of mortgage payments in many areas. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges this issue for public awareness.