Sen. Bernard Sanders

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces "Columbus Day" with "Indigenous Peoples’ Day" as the official federal holiday observed on the second Monday in October. It amends U.S. Code Section 6103(a) and updates all existing federal laws, regulations, and official documents to use the new holiday name instead of Columbus Day. The change directly affects federal government operations, including employee pay, public office closures, and official communications on that date.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 372) expresses concern about the rising trend of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries, citing PEN America data showing nearly 3,400 book removals affecting 1,557 titles from July 2022-June 2023. It specifically highlights disproportionate bans targeting books with LGBTQ+ themes (36%) or content about race/racism (37%), including titles like *The Handmaid’s Tale* and *Maus*. The resolution urges local schools and libraries to follow established guidelines (e.g., from the American Library Association) when addressing book challenges and reaffirms support for First Amendment rights to read and access diverse perspectives. It does not create new laws but formally calls for protecting students’ access to literature reflecting diverse viewpoints.

Maddy summaryS 2960, the "Expanding the VOTE Act," requires states and local election officials to provide voting materials (including digital and printed ballots, notices, and instructions) in minority languages when communities meet specific population thresholds. It clarifies that "voting materials" now explicitly include digital content and mandates new notices for jurisdictions near population thresholds. For American Indian and Alaska Native communities with unwritten languages, it requires oral assistance instead of written translations, while still mandating written materials for election workers. The bill also creates $15 million in grants to help jurisdictions provide materials in languages that don’t yet meet coverage thresholds, and directs a study on lowering population thresholds for language access requirements.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 361, introduced on September 26, 2023, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which established key anti-discrimination protections for people with disabilities. The resolution recognizes the Act's role in advancing civil rights through provisions like Section 504 (prohibiting disability discrimination in federally funded programs) and Section 508 (ensuring accessible technology), while calling for continued efforts to address remaining barriers. It specifically urges Federal agencies to strengthen enforcement of accessibility standards and focus on equity for people with disabilities from underserved communities, including people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and those in rural or low-income areas.

Maddy summarySCONRES 20 is a symbolic U.S. Senate concurrent resolution recognizing Chile's pro-democracy movement for ending the Pinochet dictatorship and restoring civilian government. It expresses U.S. regret for historical U.S. involvement in destabilizing Chile's democracy, including CIA activities supporting the 1973 coup and Pinochet regime. The resolution specifically calls for declassifying U.S. records related to the 1973 coup and its aftermath, marking the 50th anniversary of the event. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any group, but affirms shared democratic values with Chile.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires standardized presentations about Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits during preseparation counseling for service members transitioning from military to civilian life. It mandates that these presentations be reviewed by the VA and veterans service organizations before use, include information on how to file claims, and cannot promote specific organizations. The VA must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing which veterans service organizations participated, attendance numbers, and recommendations for improvement. The bill directly affects service members receiving transition assistance, ensuring they receive consistent, accurate information about VA benefits.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Agency Accessibility Compliance Act of 2023 requires all federal agencies to appoint a dedicated accessibility compliance officer within 90 days of the law's enactment. These officers must ensure agency websites and digital services meet current accessibility standards, reporting directly to agency leaders. Starting one year after enactment, agencies must publicly post annual certification of compliance or a detailed timeline for achieving it on their websites. Smaller agencies with fewer than 20 full-time employees may appoint an existing staff member for this role if their primary duties align with accessibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThe AACCENT Act establishes a national network of resource centers to improve access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for the estimated 4 million Americans with significant expressive communication disabilities. It awards grants to nonprofit partnerships that must include people with communication disabilities in leadership roles, requiring centers to provide evidence-based training, technical assistance, and resources to schools, healthcare providers, employers, and communities. These centers will collect demographic data, address barriers faced by racial and ethnic minority communities, and promote awareness about the rights of people who rely on AAC. The legislation aims to eliminate communication barriers and improve equal opportunity across education, employment, healthcare, and community participation for this population.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs to create clear anti-harassment policies covering harassment based on race, sex, disability, religion, and other protected characteristics. These policies must specifically prohibit harassment occurring online (via emails, social media, or institutional networks), on campus, in dorms, and during school-sponsored activities. It also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund campus prevention programs, counseling services, and training for students, faculty, and staff on recognizing and addressing harassment. The law adds these requirements to existing federal protections under Title IX and the Civil Rights Act, without replacing them.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution symbolically designates September 2023 as "National Voting Rights Month" to raise awareness about voting rights history and current challenges. It recommends Congress pass specific voting rights legislation (like the Freedom to Vote Act and Democracy Restoration Act) and encourages public education on voting accessibility, registration, and historical voter suppression. The resolution has no binding effect on policy or funding - it serves as a symbolic recognition and call to action for voting rights advocacy.