Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Maddy summaryThe Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act expands federal firearm restrictions to include individuals subject to any domestic violence restraining order, including temporary or emergency orders issued without the abuser's presence. It broadens the legal definition of an "intimate partner" to cover dating partners and other relationships protected by state laws, closing previous loopholes that allowed some abusers to keep guns. The bill also creates a federal grant program for states and tribes to fund the removal, storage, and return of firearms from individuals subject to these orders, requiring them to partner with local domestic violence service providers to ensure victim safety.

Maddy summaryThe Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from requiring workers to sign agreements that force them to resolve disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court or as part of a group. It bans retaliation against employees who refuse to arbitrate and mandates that any post-dispute arbitration agreements be truly voluntary, requiring plain language explanations, a 45-day waiting period, and written consent. The bill also amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it illegal for employers to enter into or enforce contracts that prevent workers from joining together to file joint or class-action lawsuits regarding workplace rights. These changes apply to all workers, including independent contractors, and take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates federal laws to ensure that members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force cannot be excluded from jobs or assignments based on their gender. It requires the Department of Defense to establish occupational standards using scientifically rigorous methods that evaluate technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical abilities without gender bias. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports to Congress detailing any involuntary reclassifications or separations and requires a detailed review of the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units. These changes are scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2026, with the first required report due the following year.

Maddy summaryThe Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 aims to create more predictable payment amounts for physicians by modifying how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services calculates fee schedules. It raises the financial threshold for certain budget adjustments from $20 million to $57.64 million starting in 2028 and requires these amounts to be adjusted every five years based on inflation data. The bill also mandates that the government update the costs of staff wages and medical supplies used to calculate payments at least once every five years and limits how much the overall payment rate can change from one year to the next to no more than 2.5 percent. These changes directly affect doctors and healthcare providers who receive Medicare payments, ensuring their reimbursement rates remain more stable and better aligned with actual costs.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to officially reject a rule proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the Child Care and Development Fund. If passed, the measure would prevent the new regulations from taking effect, thereby maintaining the previous rules governing how federal child care funds are administered. The bill directly impacts families and organizations that rely on CCDF subsidies for child care assistance by blocking the specific administrative changes outlined in the disputed rule. By exercising its authority under the Congressional Review Act, Congress aims to ensure the proposed flexibility measures do not alter the current structure of child care funding.

Maddy summaryThe Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes federal funding for nursing education programs through 2030, increasing annual appropriations to support nurse training and workforce development. It expands grant eligibility to include nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery, nurse anesthesia, and clinical nurse specialist programs, while requiring funds to cover clinical education costs like preceptor fees. The bill directs grants toward technology such as simulation labs, telehealth, and virtual training to modernize nursing education, and mandates partnerships with healthcare facilities to create clinical training opportunities. Additionally, it updates program requirements to include support for survivors of sexual assault and focuses on increasing nursing faculty and student enrollment to address nationwide nursing shortages.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth National Independence Day to honor the 1865 announcement of freedom to enslaved people in Texas and the Southwestern States. The bill serves as a formal recognition of this historical event and does not create new laws or change federal holidays. It aims to support nationwide celebrations and encourage learning about the history of slavery and emancipation in the United States.

Maddy summaryThe PEACE in Sudan Act establishes a comprehensive framework to address the ongoing conflict in Sudan by mandating detailed reports on foreign involvement, human rights violations, and the financial assets of armed groups. It requires the Secretary of State to develop a diplomatic strategy to end the war, assess potential terrorist designations for certain actors, and impose sanctions on individuals and entities supporting the conflict or obstructing peace efforts. The legislation also restricts U.S. foreign assistance to Sudan, prohibiting funding for government institutions or debt relief unless a national security waiver is granted, while allowing exceptions for lifesaving humanitarian aid. Additionally, the bill extends the tenure of the Special Envoy for Sudan and directs the U.S. to coordinate with international partners to enforce an arms embargo and hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable.

Maddy summaryThe Arctic Security and Diplomacy Act establishes a new framework to counter espionage and influence operations by foreign adversaries, specifically targeting Russia and China, in the Arctic region. It requires the Secretary of State to create a national strategy and mandates that foreign scientists obtain prior U.S. government approval before conducting marine scientific research in U.S. waters. The law also prohibits the U.S. from approving research applications for vessels owned or operated by foreign adversaries, with limited exceptions for national interest, and requires regular reports to Congress on these security threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. government to conduct a comprehensive review of its relationship with Tanzania following allegations of election fraud, political repression, and violence during the October 2025 general elections. It mandates the Secretary of State to assess Tanzania's democratic trajectory, security partnerships, and ties with China, requiring a detailed report to Congress within 90 days. Based on findings, the legislation authorizes the President to impose sanctions, such as asset freezes and visa bans, on Tanzanian officials responsible for human rights abuses and to prohibit most U.S. security and investment assistance until the government enacts specific democratic reforms.