Maddy summaryThis bill requires national parks to reduce disposable plastic use by eliminating the sale of single-use plastic water bottles and other items like plastic bags and food containers. It directly affects park visitors (who must bring reusable bottles) and concessioners (like food vendors and shops). Key mechanisms include setting up water refill stations, developing visitor education plans, and requiring regional park directors to consider factors like safety, costs, and concessioner revenue before implementation. Parks must conduct biennial evaluations to track visitor satisfaction, waste reduction, and public health impacts. The law applies to all national park units, with some flexibility for parks already without plastic water sales.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 533 is a non-binding Senate resolution condemning white supremacy, hate, and antisemitism, with specific focus on the promotion of these ideologies by white supremacist Nick Fuentes and his platforming by Tucker Carlson. It highlights Fuentes' Holocaust denial, antisemitic conspiracy theories (like the "Great Replacement" myth), and use of dog whistles, while criticizing Carlson for hosting Fuentes without challenge and Heritage Foundation's Kevin Roberts for defending such views. The resolution urges all elected officials and leaders to reject these ideologies whenever they occur, and affirms condemnation of Nazism and the Holocaust. As a formal expression of Senate opinion, it does not create new laws but serves as a public stance against harmful rhetoric.
Maddy summarySRES 531 is a non-binding Senate resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on November 29, 2025. It recognizes IDEA's historical role in guaranteeing children with disabilities access to free appropriate public education in inclusive settings, transforming educational opportunities for millions. The resolution honors students, families, educators, and advocates who advanced IDEA's principles since its 1975 enactment. It does not create new policy but formally acknowledges the law's enduring impact on educational equity.
Maddy summarySRES 529 is a symbolic Senate resolution condemning anti-Palestinian hatred, specifically referencing the November 25, 2023, attack in Burlington, Vermont, where three college students (Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad) were shot for wearing Palestinian-pattern scarves and speaking Arabic. It formally mourns victims of anti-Palestinian violence since the Gaza war began, including the Burlington attack and the murder of Wadea al-Fayoume. The resolution specifically condemns language advocating for Palestinians to leave Israel/Palestinian territories, suggesting they relocate, or denying Palestinian cultural identity or statehood. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but publicly denounces such rhetoric and commends community leaders promoting peace.
Maddy summaryS 3347, the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act, requires airlines to provide $750 in cash compensation, free rebooking, meals, and for overnight delays, lodging and transportation when flights are delayed or canceled due to the airline's fault. The bill mandates the Transportation Secretary to form a committee within 90 days - including airline, airport, and consumer representatives - to develop recommendations for these standards, including aligning with international rules like Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations. An interim rule implementing these requirements will take effect two years after enactment, mandating the compensation and services for affected passengers. This legislation standardizes passenger protections across U.S. airlines to align with global practices.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. military action against Venezuela without specific new congressional authorization. It blocks funding for Defense Department operations involving "hostilities" (defined as any use of lethal force by U.S. forces) except under two conditions: a new law passed after this bill's enactment, or a congressional authorization meeting War Powers Resolution standards. Key exceptions allow self-defense, protection of U.S. personnel, lawful counternarcotics operations, and humanitarian aid. The bill does not override the War Powers Resolution but requires stricter authorization for military engagement with Venezuela.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Social Security lump sum death payment amount from a formula based on the deceased's benefit to a fixed $2,900. The payment will automatically increase each year starting in 2026 based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), ensuring it keeps pace with inflation. It directly affects survivors who receive the lump sum death payment following a Social Security recipient's death. The change applies to deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2026, replacing the previous "three times" calculation method.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for temporary immigration judges who handle cases while permanent judges are appointed. It allows the Attorney General to appoint former immigration judges, Board members, or attorneys with 10+ years of immigration law experience for up to 6-month terms (renewable for a maximum of 4 terms, or 24 months total). Temporary judges must complete 8 weeks of initial training plus weekly 1-day sessions unless recently retired (within 2 years), and their work is overseen by the Chief Immigration Judge. The law emphasizes that temporary judges should not replace permanent judges and requires them to have deep expertise in U.S. immigration law.
Maddy summaryThe Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 would maintain existing protections for designated roadless areas within the National Forest System by prohibiting new road construction, reconstruction, or logging in those areas. It directly affects National Forest lands managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, where the Roadless Rule already restricts such activities. The bill’s key mechanism requires the Secretary of Agriculture to enforce these current restrictions without adding new limitations. This policy change preserves existing protections for watersheds, wildlife habitats, recreation opportunities, and culturally significant sites within these roadless areas.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children of deceased veterans, effective December 1, 2025. The increases will match the percentage rise in Social Security benefits for that year, as determined under the Social Security Act. It directly affects veterans receiving disability payments and surviving family members eligible for survivor benefits under current law. The adjustment ensures these benefits keep pace with inflation, as required by the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment formula.