Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Maddy summaryS 1008, the *Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act*, requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to create new safety standards for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The law directs the CPSC to specifically address fire risks by defining the scope of batteries and devices covered under the new standard. These standards will function as official safety rules under existing law, mandating concrete safety measures for manufacturers. The bill directly affects consumers who use these devices and manufacturers producing lithium-ion batteries for them.

Maddy summaryThe Leadership in CET Act (S 5537) creates a 5-year pilot program at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to expedite patent reviews for applications related to artificial intelligence, microelectronics, and quantum information science. It directly affects U.S.-based applicants (either incorporated U.S. entities or U.S. resident inventors) filing original, nonprovisional patent applications in these fields. The program allows the Patent Office to waive fees and prioritize these applications, with a cap of 10,000 total applications or a 5-year limit, whichever comes first. The Office must publicly track participation and issue a final report to Congress after the pilot ends.

Maddy summaryS 5538, the Improving Travel for Families Act, would change U.S. travel regulations to better serve families using Global Entry. It allows children under 11 traveling with a parent or guardian enrolled in Global Entry to use the expedited lane upon arrival at U.S. airports, instead of requiring separate enrollment. The bill also lets parents schedule one interview appointment for themselves and up to four children seeking Global Entry enrollment. This directly affects families with young children who travel internationally with a Global Entry member. The changes aim to simplify the process for families seeking expedited entry.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare to create separate billing codes for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs based on whether their base uses titanium or carbon fiber (vs. other materials), effective January 2026. It ensures Medicare payments for titanium/carbon fiber wheelchairs match standard rates, while allowing suppliers to charge beneficiaries the difference between payment and their actual cost. Suppliers must provide written notices about potential extra costs before sales. The policy directly affects Medicare beneficiaries using these specialized wheelchairs and healthcare suppliers who provide them.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008, extending and updating federal efforts to combat online child exploitation. It requires the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention to be updated every four years (instead of every two) and mandates detailed analyses of trends, resource needs, and ICAC task force performance - including arrests, prosecutions, and victim identification. The bill increases annual funding for these programs from $70 million (2025) to $90 million (2027) and adds limited liability protections for specialized law enforcement teams investigating online child exploitation. These provisions directly affect federal, state, local, tribal, and military law enforcement agencies operating ICAC task forces and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968-1982) and the first African American to seek a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image and name, which will be presented to her family by congressional leaders. After presentation, the medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution for public viewing and research. The bill also authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. This is a commemorative measure honoring Chisholm's historic contributions to American politics and civil rights.

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.

Maddy summaryThe United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2024 establishes an Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to guide U.S. strategy in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality. The panel, composed of federal agency heads and outside experts, will assess how these technologies impact the economy, national security, and ethical use - including privacy protections - and recommend ways to boost American competitiveness and collaboration with private industry. Within two years, the panel must complete a study and submit a report to Congress with findings and actionable recommendations. This bill directly affects federal agencies and sets a framework for future policy decisions in the immersive technology sector.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Freeze Act halts most federal hiring and pay raises for one year, requiring agencies to maintain current workforce levels (based on pre-enactment staffing) and prohibiting increases in employee numbers or salaries. It mandates that agencies reduce their workforce by 2% within two years and 5% within three years, with exemptions for roles critical to national security, law enforcement, public safety, or disaster response. The law applies to all federal agencies and focuses on concrete staffing reductions rather than policy changes. It does not affect existing employees or exempt positions in the calculation of mandated cuts.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 5485, would automatically reduce nonsecurity federal spending by 2% each year starting in 2026. It applies to all nonsecurity discretionary programs (like education, transportation, and environmental programs) funded through annual spending bills, without targeting specific programs. The Office of Management and Budget must report the exact amounts and accounts affected to Congress within 30 days after funding is finalized each year. This is a procedural spending cut, not a new policy or program.