Maddy summaryThe State Department Integrity and Transparency Act requires Assistant Secretary of State nominees to disclose their knowledge of the target country's language, history, culture, and politics, and mandates that at least 75% of these positions be filled by individuals with prior experience in the Senior Foreign Service or Senior Executive Service. It also requires nominees to report political contributions made by themselves or immediate family members, with these disclosures published online by the Secretary of State. Additionally, the bill limits temporary overseas diplomatic appointments to 90 days per position and restricts individuals to one such appointment per year, effective January 1, 2025. These provisions directly affect diplomatic appointees, the Department of State's hiring processes, and the transparency of foreign policy leadership.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Special Envoy for Sudan within the U.S. Department of State, tasked with leading diplomatic efforts to address the conflict and coordinate humanitarian aid. The Envoy must report directly to the Secretary of State, coordinate with other government agencies, and regularly update Congress on progress. The position is set to expire five years after the bill becomes law, and the Department must brief Congress on staffing details within 90 days of enactment. This structure aims to centralize U.S. government efforts on Sudan, directly affecting how the State Department manages foreign policy and aid coordination for the crisis.
Maddy summaryThe COMMAND Act of 2024 requires all newly commissioned officers in the U.S. Armed Forces to complete mandatory training on the U.S. Constitution before their first operational assignment. This training, to be implemented within 180 days of the bill's enactment, covers three key areas: the Constitution's centrality to military service, officers' loyalty to the Constitution, and specific constitutional principles like civil-military relations, separation of powers, and restrictions on using military force domestically. The bill directly affects newly commissioned officers, not existing personnel or enlisted members. It establishes a concrete policy change by making constitutional education a formal requirement for new officers entering active duty.
Maddy summaryS 4381, the Right to Contraception Act, establishes a federal statutory right for individuals to access contraceptives and contraception services without government interference, directly affecting people seeking care, healthcare providers (like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists), and state governments. It prohibits states or the federal government from implementing laws that restrict access to contraceptives, hinder providers from offering services, or single out contraceptive care for special restrictions. The bill preempts conflicting state laws and creates legal avenues for individuals or providers to sue to block violations, with courts required to invalidate such restrictive laws. It explicitly does not alter existing requirements for health insurance coverage of contraceptives under federal law.
Maddy summaryS 930, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023, creates a presumption that public safety officers (such as firefighters and police) who develop specific cancers after exposure during duty have work-related injuries. It defines "exposure-related cancer" to include 22 types (like lung, leukemia, and WTC-related cancers) and presumes these cancers are work-related if officers were exposed during service, diagnosed within 15 years of retirement, and the cancer caused death or permanent disability. The bill requires the Bureau to review scientific evidence to add new cancer types to the list within 180 days of a petition. This directly affects families seeking benefits for fallen officers by shifting the burden of proof to the Bureau, not the claimants.
Maddy summarySRES 722 is a Senate resolution expressing gratitude for the heroism of U.S. Armed Forces members who participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. It commemorates the 80th anniversary of this pivotal World War II operation, which helped end the war, and commends the leadership and bravery of those who fought. The resolution requests the President issue a proclamation encouraging public ceremonies to honor veterans' sacrifices and recognizes France's efforts to preserve Normandy's historical sites as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to publicly honor historical service and legacy.
Maddy summarySRES 385 is a non-binding Senate resolution calling for the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen and Wall Street Journal journalist wrongfully detained by Russia since March 2023. It urges the U.S. executive branch to press Russia for his release, demands consular access for him, and condemns Russia’s detention of journalists for political purposes. The resolution also specifically calls for the release of Paul Whelan, detained since 2018, and expresses support for other U.S. citizens wrongfully held in Russia. It does not create new legal requirements but formally expresses congressional concern.
Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic Senate resolution (SRES 716) expressing support for designating June 7, 2024, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and June 2024 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or policies but encourages the public to wear orange, promote gun safety awareness, and hold community discussions about reducing gun violence during these designated times. The resolution cites statistics on gun deaths and references Hadiya Pendleton's birthday as the basis for the awareness day. It directly affects the public by calling for collective awareness efforts, not specific groups or government actions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires infant formula manufacturers to test products for contamination and report positive results to the FDA within 24 hours, regardless of whether the product has left the facility. Manufacturers must also isolate affected products, cease distribution if required, and provide test results to the FDA. The FDA must respond to notifications within 72 hours, verify corrective actions within 90 days, and issue annual reports on supply chain data and safety improvements. These changes directly affect manufacturers and the FDA, aiming to prevent contamination events and improve infant formula safety and supply transparency.
Maddy summarySRES 707 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month in May. It formally celebrates Jewish Americans' 350+ year contributions to U.S. society, culture, and history - highlighting their roles in government, arts, science, and community service. The resolution calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society to condemn antisemitism and promote education about Jewish heritage, responding to documented rises in antisemitic incidents and Holocaust misinformation. It does not create new laws but affirms longstanding congressional recognition of this month, which has been observed annually since 2006 through presidential proclamations.