Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes the progress made by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in advancing independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities, while highlighting persistent challenges like high poverty rates, employment barriers, and inaccessible services. It calls on multiple federal agencies - including the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Federal Communications Commission - to take specific actions, such as developing employment policies, improving accessibility in communications, and expanding home- and community-based services. The resolution urges bipartisan efforts to dismantle systemic barriers and strengthen opportunities for people with disabilities to fully participate in work and community life. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but serves as a formal statement of congressional intent and a framework for future policy action.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act of 2024 establishes a program to help coastal and Great Lakes communities with working waterfronts develop resilience plans. It creates a "Resilient Waterfront Community" designation for eligible local governments, tribes, and other covered entities that submit community-driven plans addressing economic opportunities, environmental challenges, and infrastructure needs. The bill authorizes special grants to support plan development and implementation of projects like public amenities, infrastructure upgrades, and green infrastructure. Designated communities will receive technical assistance, access to a best practices network, and opportunities to apply for federal funding to support waterfront revitalization and resilience efforts.
Maddy summaryThe ASSET Act removes asset limits from key federal assistance programs, allowing low-income families to save money without losing eligibility. It eliminates restrictions on savings for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits. The bill also updates Supplemental Security Income (SSI) resource limits to $20,000 for individuals and $10,000 for couples in 2024, with annual inflation adjustments. These changes directly affect millions of households who previously faced barriers to building financial security while receiving public assistance.
Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a tax exclusion allowing employers to pay employees' student loans tax-free under educational assistance programs. It directly affects employees who receive such employer assistance and employers offering these programs. The key provision removes the previous expiration date (January 1, 2026), ensuring the tax exclusion remains in effect indefinitely. The change applies to all payments made after the bill's enactment, eliminating future uncertainty for both employers and employees.
Maddy summaryThe Hospital Stability and Health Services Act of 2024 requires hospitals planning to discontinue services or close to notify the federal government at least 90 days in advance (30 days for emergencies), providing detailed data on affected services, patients, employees, and alternative care options. Hospitals must submit a mitigation plan within 15 days if the government determines the closure would harm access to essential services, outlining strategies to maintain care through partnerships, staff support, and market analysis. A 45-day public comment period follows, during which the government may develop an alternative plan to ensure continued access, with all plans made publicly available. The law mandates annual reports to Congress on closure trends and impacts, focusing on geographic, demographic, and emergency response factors.
Maddy summaryThe Health Over Wealth Act (S 4804) requires for-profit corporations owning health care entities (such as hospitals, physician practices, and nursing facilities) to disclose detailed financial and operational information to the government. Covered firms must report on debt levels, ownership structures, staffing patterns, political spending, and other metrics to increase transparency about private equity's role in health care. The bill establishes risk mitigation requirements, including escrow accounts for 5 years, and prohibits certain real estate transactions that could weaken health care entities. It also creates a Task Force to monitor private equity's impact on health care access, quality, and equity, with annual reporting requirements to Congress.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new research program to study family caregiving, allocating $30 million annually from 2025 through 2029 for data collection and evidence-based practices. It defines "family caregiver" as an adult relative or informal provider of unpaid care for older adults or individuals with Alzheimer's, excluding professional caregivers. The bill also updates the National Family Caregiver Support Program to focus on family caregivers, adding a specific definition for "older relative caregivers" (55+ individuals caring for children or disabled relatives under certain legal arrangements). These changes aim to improve support services by aligning program definitions with current caregiving realities.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program under the Older Americans Act to fund peer support services for family caregivers. It authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2029) for grants to states, nonprofits, tribal organizations, and educational institutions to develop in-person and virtual peer programs. These programs help family caregivers navigate administrative systems, provide emotional support, and offer mental health resources, with special focus on underserved groups like low-income communities, immigrants, LGBTQ+ caregivers, and those with disabilities. The bill requires grant recipients to provide language access services and prioritizes projects serving communities identified as having limited peer support access.
Maddy summarySRES 765 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma following his death on July 9, 2024. The resolution commemorates his 28-year Senate service (1994-2023) and 52 years in public office, highlighting his work on defense policy, aviation legislation, infrastructure projects, and support for military bases in Oklahoma. This procedural resolution expresses the Senate's condolences and formally recognizes his legacy, rather than enacting any policy changes.
Maddy summaryThe Capping Prescription Costs Act of 2024 sets a yearly limit on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs under most health insurance plans. Starting in 2026, individual plan members would pay no more than $2,000 annually for covered drugs, while families would pay no more than $4,000. These limits would increase each year based on inflation, adjusted using the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index. The bill applies to both individual health plans and employer-sponsored group plans covered under the Affordable Care Act. It takes effect for plans beginning after December 2025.