Sen. Tim Kaine

Maddy summarySRES 99 is a non-binding Senate resolution supporting International Women’s Day (March 8, 2023). It recognizes women’s fundamental rights and emphasizes that empowering women contributes to global peace, economic growth, and sustainable development. The resolution affirms the Senate’s commitment to ending discrimination against women and promoting their meaningful participation in society, while honoring women’s rights advocates worldwide. It does not create new laws or allocate funds, but symbolically underscores the importance of gender equality as a foreign policy priority.

Maddy summaryS 1542, the DRUG Act, prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from charging fees tied to drug prices or rebates for services provided to health plans or insurers, effective January 1, 2026. Instead, PBMs may only charge a fixed "flat service fee" agreed upon in writing, not linked to drug costs or patient usage. The bill also bans PBMs from reimbursing affiliated pharmacies more than independent ones, charging health plans different amounts than they pay pharmacies, or steering patients to affiliated pharmacies through higher out-of-pocket costs. Violations trigger $10,000 daily civil penalties enforced by the HHS Secretary with Labor and Treasury. This directly affects PBMs, health insurers, employer health plans, and pharmacies, aiming to reduce cost-shifting and promote fair reimbursement practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the federal tax code to allow public schools to qualify for rehabilitation tax credits they previously might have been excluded from. It specifically removes a restriction that prevented tax credits for rehabilitating school buildings used as qualified public educational facilities. The key provision expands access to these credits for public school infrastructure projects, particularly benefiting schools in low-income communities. The bill also requires the Treasury Secretary to report on the program's impact, including facilities rehabilitated, student numbers, and expenditures, within five years of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends full contraceptive coverage without out-of-pocket costs to military dependents and non-active duty service members under TRICARE. It amends TRICARE to eliminate cost-sharing for all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, related counseling, insertion/removal services, and sterilization procedures - aligning dependent coverage with existing active duty benefits under the Affordable Care Act. The bill also requires military medical facilities to provide comprehensive pregnancy prevention information and emergency contraception access to sexual assault survivors, and mandates standardized family planning education for all service members on topics like contraceptive options and confidentiality. These changes directly affect over 700,000 female spouses/dependents and transgender military families covered by TRICARE who currently face cost barriers.

Maddy summarySRES 157 is a symbolic Senate resolution commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, which helped end decades of conflict in Northern Ireland. The resolution expresses support for the Agreement's principles, urges the restoration of Northern Ireland's devolved government institutions, and endorses the Windsor Framework for maintaining an open border. As a commemorative resolution, it does not enact new laws or directly affect any group, serving only as a statement of U.S. support for peace and stability in Northern Ireland.

Maddy summarySRES 181 is a non-binding Senate resolution supporting the designation of April 24-28, 2023, as "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week." It recognizes school-based professionals - including counselors, psychologists, nurses, therapists, and speech-language pathologists - who support students' academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. The resolution encourages public acknowledgment of their role in fostering safe, supportive learning environments and promotes collaboration among educators and policymakers to advance student well-being.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 119 recognizes the 202nd anniversary of Greece's independence (celebrated March 25, 2023) and celebrates the shared democratic values between Greece and the United States. The resolution highlights historical ties, including U.S. support during Greece's 1821 independence struggle, Greece's role in World War II, and its current status as a U.S. NATO ally. It also commends Greece's contributions to global security and its support for Ukraine's sovereignty following Russia's invasion. This procedural resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to strengthen bilateral relations without enacting new laws.

Maddy summarySRES 106 is a 2023 U.S. Senate resolution condemning China's implementation of the Hong Kong national security law and related actions. It specifically criticizes the law's use to suppress dissent, target figures like pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai and Cardinal Zen, and undermine Hong Kong's autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework. The resolution urges governments to hold China accountable, supports Hong Kong residents' fundamental freedoms, and calls for dropping all national security law charges against detainees. It does not create new laws or impose direct consequences but serves as a symbolic expression of congressional concern about Hong Kong's political rights and rule of law.

Maddy summaryS 1441, the Accelerating Biomedical Innovation Act, establishes a new Center for Biomedical Innovation and Development to accelerate the development of medical countermeasures like vaccines, drugs, and devices. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must select at least three higher education institutions meeting specific criteria (including advanced manufacturing expertise and facilities) to form this Center within one year of the bill's enactment. The Center will provide direct support to developers through pilot manufacturing, technical assistance, regulatory help, and coordination with manufacturers for products using novel technology to address unmet health needs. This program directly affects eligible universities selected for the consortium and biomedical developers referred by BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency).

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $74.8 million annually (2023-2027) for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative to support security and rule of law efforts in 13 Caribbean nations, including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago. The initiative combats crime and gangs through maritime security, border control, anti-corruption programs, youth crime prevention, and disaster resilience training, while also addressing foreign interference from authoritarian regimes. It requires the State Department and USAID to submit an implementation plan within 180 days and annual progress reports to Congress, detailing how funds will be used to achieve specific security and resilience goals in each country.