Sen. Tammy Baldwin

Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) by raising the federal share (FMAP) by 10 percentage points for states during 2024-2025, capped at 95%. States must apply with plans to use these funds to increase wages and benefits for home care workers (like paid leave and hazard pay), reduce waiting lists for services, help people return from institutional settings, and cover related costs like equipment or training. Funds must supplement, not replace, existing state spending and be reported on by states by 2027. It directly affects states administering Medicaid HCBS programs, home care workers, and people receiving community-based care.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the National Dam Safety Program through 2028, extending funding and updating requirements for dam safety. It defines "small disadvantaged community" (under 50,000 population with income below 80% of state median) and ensures these communities receive priority for dam rehabilitation grants. Key provisions require dam owners to commit to long-term maintenance plans and mandate floodplain management plans - either already in place or developed within two years - to reduce flood risks and protect communities. The bill also establishes a risk-based priority system for states to allocate grants for high-hazard dams.

Maddy summaryThe PROTECT Act (S 3108) establishes a federal initiative to reduce youth and young adult e-cigarette use. It directs the CDC to conduct research on youth e-cigarette patterns, product characteristics, and access methods; develop health provider guidance; identify prevention strategies; and run public education campaigns about e-cigarette risks. The bill authorizes $100 million annually (2024-2028) to fund state health departments and tribal organizations implementing youth-focused prevention and cessation programs. This initiative affects youth and young adults directly by targeting e-cigarette access and use, while requiring CDC and health agencies to coordinate new research and outreach efforts.

Maddy summaryThe Safe Schools Improvement Act (S 3105) requires states receiving federal education funding to mandate public elementary and secondary schools to adopt comprehensive anti-bullying policies. These policies must prohibit bullying based on protected characteristics like race, gender identity, disability, or religion, include annual parent/student notices, establish complaint procedures, and collect anonymized data on incidents. Schools must publicly report annual data on bullying frequency at the school and district levels. The law also requires states to submit biennial reports on implementation and triggers a federal evaluation to assess the policy's impact on reducing bullying. It explicitly states the law supplements, but does not replace, existing civil rights protections like Title IX.

Maddy summaryS. RES. 420 designates Betty K. Koed as Historian Emerita of the U.S. Senate, effective October 21, 2023, honoring her 25-year career as the Senate's first female Historian (serving from 2015-2023 after roles as Assistant and Associate Historian). The resolution recognizes her work preserving Senate archives, producing historical publications, and supporting educational programs about Senate history. It is a ceremonial honor with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 23, 2023, as "National Marine Sanctuary Day" to raise public awareness about the National Marine Sanctuary System. It encourages Americans to visit, support, and engage with marine sanctuaries while acknowledging their role in protecting biodiversity, supporting coastal economies, and preserving cultural sites. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the system's ecological and economic value.

This resolution states that the Senate stands with Israel as it defends itself, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas' war on Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and calls on the United States to lead an international effort to deprive Hamas of Iranian and other sources of funding and lethal assistance. Furthermore, the resolution states that nothing in it may be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force.

Maddy summaryThe America's College Promise Act of 2023 would establish a federal-state partnership to make community college tuition-free for eligible students. Under this program, the federal government would cover 100% of tuition costs in the first year (2024-2025), gradually decreasing to 80% by 2028-2029, while states would provide increasing shares (starting at 0% and rising to 20% by 2028-2029). Participating states must implement comprehensive student support services and improve transfer pathways to four-year institutions. The bill also includes additional provisions to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions.

Maddy summaryThe PACE Act creates a federal grant program to prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) - such as abuse, neglect, or household instability - and promote positive childhood experiences (PCEs), like supportive relationships and safe environments, for children under 18. It requires states, tribes, and local governments receiving grants to use data to target high-burden communities and implement evidence-based strategies through multi-sector partnerships, while funding research on ACEs and PCEs, including historical trauma’s impact. The bill authorizes funding for fiscal years 2024-2028 and mandates annual reports to Congress on program effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the O DAIRY Act of 2023, provides targeted support to organic dairy farmers facing financial challenges. It expands emergency disaster assistance to cover losses from increased organic feed costs (exceeding a 10% net income drop) and requires the USDA to collect and publish monthly organic milk prices and regional cost-of-production data. The bill also establishes new funding for infrastructure to boost regional organic dairy processing and creates regional specialists to study market trends and recommend support programs. These changes directly affect organic dairy farmers, with special emphasis on small operations, by improving data access and creating new financial safety nets.