Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 234) designates May 2023 as "Older Americans Month" to symbolically honor older adults in the U.S. It encourages public recognition of their community contributions, opportunities for them to share wisdom with younger generations, and acknowledgment of their value to society. The resolution has no legal effect or new policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, aligning with longstanding tradition to highlight seniors' roles without altering programs or funding.

Maddy summarySRES 231 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating June 2, 2023, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and June 2023 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or policies but expresses support for these designations to highlight gun violence statistics, including over 43,000 annual gun-related deaths. The resolution calls on the public to wear orange, promote gun safety awareness, and hold community discussions during June, particularly noting summer as a period of heightened gun violence. It is non-binding and serves solely to raise public awareness, referencing historical data and the legacy of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old victim of gun violence.

This resolution expresses support for the designation of DIPG Awareness Day. DIPG refers to diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a terminal childhood brain cancer.

Maddy summaryS 1797, the IMPACT to Save Moms Act, establishes a 5-year federal demonstration project (2024-2028) allowing states to test new payment models for Medicaid and child health plans covering maternity care. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum individuals enrolled in state Medicaid programs, with specific focus on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups facing higher maternal mortality and health disparities. Key provisions require states to design payment models that adjust for pregnancy risk, include diverse care teams (with bias training), address social determinants of health, and cover nonhospital birth settings like birth centers. The project mandates coordination with stakeholders including maternal health advocates, providers, and community organizations, and requires evaluation of outcomes by race, geography, and other factors. The Secretary must report findings to Congress by 2029, recommending whether to expand the model nationally.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 230) symbolically recognizes the 102nd anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a violent attack by a White mob that killed an estimated 300 Black residents and destroyed the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma - a thriving Black business community known as "Black Wall Street." It honors the victims and survivors, condemns the historical and ongoing legacy of racial violence, and encourages U.S. schools and universities to include education about the massacre in curricula. As a non-binding resolution, it does not enact new laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment by the Senate of this pivotal event in American history.

Maddy summaryS 1779, the Electric Motorcycle Parity Act of 2023, expands the federal clean vehicle tax credit to include electric motorcycles and other vehicles with fewer than four wheels. It creates a $3,750 tax credit per qualifying vehicle acquired after December 31, 2022, for buyers purchasing electric motorcycles that meet specific requirements (e.g., capable of 45+ mph, manufactured for public roads, and meeting clean vehicle standards with adjusted battery requirements). The bill directly affects electric motorcycle buyers and manufacturers by extending the same tax incentive previously available only to four-wheeled electric vehicles. It amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat these smaller vehicles as "qualified clean vehicles" under the existing credit framework. This is a concrete policy change that lowers the cost of purchasing eligible electric motorcycles.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits corporal punishment (such as spanking, paddling, or physical force) by school personnel, law enforcement officers, or school security guards in any school receiving federal funding. It requires schools to notify parents within 24 hours when corporal punishment occurs and establishes enforcement mechanisms including potential withholding of federal funds for non-compliance. The bill creates grant programs to help schools implement positive behavioral interventions (like restorative justice, trauma-informed care, and implicit bias training) to replace exclusionary discipline practices such as suspensions and expulsions. It also requires states to report on school climate, discipline practices, and progress in reducing racial and disability disparities in discipline. The bill applies to public schools receiving federal funds but explicitly excludes private schools not receiving federal funding and homeschooling situations.

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 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.