Maddy summaryThe Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 91) authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats who risked their careers and safety to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. These diplomats, representing countries including Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and others, issued visas and provided safe passage to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution despite strict orders from their home governments. The medal will be presented collectively to the next of kin of each diplomat, along with representatives from their home countries, and then permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The act recognizes these individuals' bravery without implying they represent all who performed similar humanitarian acts during the Holocaust. The medal serves as a permanent tribute to their sacrifice and will be available for public display and research.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 74 is a Senate resolution condemning Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority, which directly affects Baha'is in Iran facing systemic discrimination. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release imprisoned Baha'is, end hate propaganda against them, and reverse policies denying equal access to education, jobs, and religious practice. It also urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to demand Iran's compliance with international human rights treaties and use existing sanctions authority against Iranian officials responsible for abuses. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional condemnation of Iran's violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Maddy summarySRES 925 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Fred R. Harris of Oklahoma, who died on November 23, 2024, at age 94. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that his family be notified, and directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a formal expression of respect for a former senator’s legacy.
Maddy summaryThe Health and Location Data Protection Act of 2024 prohibits data brokers from selling, sharing, or trading individuals' health data (including medical conditions, treatments, or diagnoses) and location data (such as current or past physical whereabouts) without explicit consent. It includes exceptions for HIPAA-compliant healthcare sharing, newsworthy information, and data shared with valid authorization (similar to HIPAA standards). The Federal Trade Commission will enforce the law, with states and individuals also able to pursue legal action for violations, which may result in fines up to 15% of a company's annual revenue. The bill directly affects data brokers and protects individuals' sensitive personal information from commercial exploitation.
Maddy summaryThe CASC Act establishes a network of National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers to help communities and organizations address climate change impacts on natural and cultural resources. These centers will provide scientific expertise to Federal, State, tribal, and local governments, as well as universities and other partners, on climate adaptation strategies. The National Center, administered by the US Geological Survey, will coordinate with nine regional centers across the country that will work with local partners including Tribal Colleges, Historically Black Colleges, and Native Hawaiian organizations. The bill creates a five-year review process for regional centers to ensure they meet performance standards and continue receiving funding. The centers will focus on research, education, training, and sharing climate science to help decision-makers protect ecosystems, natural resources, and cultural heritage.
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 summaryS 5438 establishes a new legal procedure to quickly dismiss "SLAPP" lawsuits - unfounded civil cases meant to silence public debate. It requires a 5-day notice before filing a special motion to dismiss, sets a 60-day window for such motions after a lawsuit is filed, and mandates a 90-day court ruling. If the motion succeeds, the defendant automatically receives attorney fees. This directly protects individuals, journalists, and activists speaking on matters of public concern (like government actions or community issues), excluding commercial disputes and government-related claims.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the National Apprenticeship Act to streamline healthcare apprenticeship program registration. It requires the Department of Labor to decide on healthcare apprenticeship program applications within 45 days, providing written explanations for delays exceeding that period (Section 2(a)). The bill defines "health care field" to include specific healthcare occupations like nurses and medical technicians (Section 2(b)(1)). Additionally, it mandates that all apprenticeship agreement forms, including employer and disability disclosure forms, be digitized (Section 3). These changes directly affect healthcare training programs seeking federal apprenticeship registration.
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.