Sen. Jeff Merkley

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies existing U.S. sanctions targeting individuals undermining peace and security in the West Bank, as defined by Executive Order 14115. It establishes a formal process for the President to terminate sanctions against specific individuals who have stopped the sanctioned activities and provide reliable assurances against future violations. The President must notify relevant congressional committees 15 days in advance (or within 3 business days in emergencies) before lifting sanctions, providing evidence that the person has ceased the prohibited conduct. The bill directly affects individuals previously sanctioned under the executive order, not governments or entities. It does not create new sanctions but formalizes the termination procedure for existing ones.

Maddy summaryS 3606, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024, reauthorizes federal earthquake preparedness efforts through 2028 with expanded focus on Tribal governments and seismic risk reduction. The bill requires federal agencies to develop guidelines for creating inventories of high-risk buildings, conduct seismic evaluations, and provide technical assistance to states and Tribal governments for retrofitting vulnerable infrastructure. It establishes specific funding levels including $10.59 million annually for the main program and additional funds for earthquake early warning systems, with $36 million annually for the Advanced National Seismic System. These provisions aim to improve post-earthquake functional recovery of buildings and infrastructure, reduce economic losses, and enhance community resilience in earthquake-prone areas.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2024 strengthens worker and retiree protections during business bankruptcies by raising the priority for wage claims from $10,000 to $20,000, creating new claims for lost pension and retirement benefits, and requiring courts to prioritize job preservation in asset sales. The bill restricts bankrupt companies from modifying or rejecting collective bargaining agreements without meeting specific criteria, limits executive compensation upon exit from bankruptcy, and establishes mechanisms to recover excessive executive payments made before bankruptcy. It ensures severance pay is deemed earned upon layoff, prioritizes WARN Act damages, and creates new requirements for preserving retiree benefits and maintaining employee benefits during bankruptcy proceedings. The legislation focuses on ensuring bankruptcy proceedings prioritize the financial security of workers and retirees over executive compensation and other considerations.

Maddy summaryThe Retirement Fairness Act establishes a $4 million limit on the total value of retirement accounts (including 401(k)s, IRAs, and other qualified plans) for individuals. If an individual's combined retirement account balances exceed this amount, the bill limits annual contributions to those accounts and increases minimum required distributions. The $4 million threshold will be adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2025. The law applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, with a phased-in approach for 2025. The bill also requires retirement plans to report account balances to the IRS and transfers 50% of additional revenue from these provisions to Social Security trust funds.

Maddy summaryS 5428 authorizes $20 million annually (2025-2027) in grants to community health providers - like Planned Parenthood and rural clinics - to expand access to preventive cancer screenings (breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine) for low-income women and women of color who face barriers to care. It also creates a 3-year training program for healthcare providers on screening best practices, cultural competency, and addressing implicit bias to improve care in underserved areas. A mandatory study will track screening access and disparities by race, income, and geography, requiring reports to Congress every five years. The bill directly targets reducing preventable cancer deaths by increasing early detection in communities disproportionately affected by health disparities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates December 3 as National Chemical Disaster Awareness Day to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Bhopal chemical disaster in India. It aims to raise public awareness about chemical disaster risks and honor survivors' decades-long advocacy for prevention. The resolution also calls on the Department of Justice to address the Bhopal case by complying with international legal assistance requests regarding Dow Inc. (which owns Union Carbide, the company responsible for the disaster). As a non-binding Senate resolution, it does not create new laws but serves as a symbolic recognition of ongoing efforts to prevent industrial chemical tragedies.

Maddy summarySRES 909 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating November 21, 2024, as "National Rural Health Day." It formally recognizes the contributions of rural health care providers and the unique challenges faced by rural communities, including hospital closures and access barriers. The resolution celebrates rural health care workers and the millions they serve, while expressing the Senate's commitment to improving rural health care accessibility and affordability. This is a ceremonial designation with no new policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce three commemorative coins honoring Roberto Clemente: $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar clad coins, with specified quantities (50,000 gold, 400,000 silver, 750,000 half-dollars). The coins must feature Clemente’s image and include inscriptions like "Roberto Clemente" and "2027," with surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin respectively) funding the Roberto Clemente Foundation for youth sports, education, and disaster relief. All coins must be sold between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027, at face value plus surcharge, with the foundation audited for fund use. The legislation affects no citizens or policies - it solely creates a commemorative coin program.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 902) honoring the late Senator Timothy Peter Johnson of South Dakota, who died after a long career in public service. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and send a copy to his family, and calls for the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is purely a formal expression of respect for a former senator. The resolution commemorates his decades of service, including his time as Chairman of the Banking Committee and his return to work after a serious health setback.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) by repealing recent restrictions on its appropriations. It directs the State Department to immediately resume funding for UNRWA, which provides essential aid - including 80% of humanitarian assistance in Gaza - to over 5 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The bill emphasizes UNRWA’s critical role in preventing famine and disease during Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, citing the agency’s implementation of reforms following an independent review. It requires quarterly reports on UNRWA’s progress implementing neutrality recommendations.