Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Maddy summaryThe Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2026 creates a new federal tax credit to support individuals working in licensed child care facilities. This credit provides up to $4,500 annually for workers with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related fields, $3,000 for those with an associate's degree, and $1,500 for other eligible providers. To qualify, workers must perform at least 1,200 hours of child care services per year at a licensed facility that is not primarily their home, and the bill limits the credit to a maximum of three consecutive years per individual. The legislation applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Investing in State Energy Act of 2026 requires the federal government to provide application guidance and publish funding allocations for state energy programs within 60 days of funds becoming available. Additionally, the bill mandates that financial assistance payments be sent to states and tribes within 30 days after they submit complete conservation plans. This legislation also increases funding for state energy initiatives by adding $100 million for each of the fiscal years from 2027 through 2031. These changes aim to streamline the process for states and tribes to receive and utilize federal energy conservation funds more quickly.

Maddy summaryThe Child Care Innovation Advancement Act of 2026 creates a five-year pilot program to help non-home-based child care providers, such as those in commercial spaces or community centers, purchase nutritious meals for children. Under this initiative, eligible and licensed programs can receive federal reimbursements for food costs at the same rate currently given to family day care homes. To ensure proper use of funds, the bill mandates regular audits by the Department of Agriculture, requiring the exclusion of programs with unresolved audit findings for two years. Additionally, the program includes measures to prevent duplicate payments and requires a final evaluation report to Congress after the pilot period ends.

Maddy summaryThe Turn the Tide Act primarily increases federal funding for substance use disorder treatment, prevention, and recovery services, directing billions of dollars to states, tribes, and local organizations starting in fiscal year 2027. It expands access to medication-assisted treatment by prohibiting insurance companies from imposing prior authorization requirements or cost-sharing fees for these drugs and mandates that health plans cover at least one formulation of opioid overdose reversal medications without deductibles. The legislation also establishes new programs and grants to support first responder training, recovery housing, mental health care for children exposed to trauma, and workforce development in areas with the highest overdose death rates. Additionally, the bill extends existing Medicaid waivers and creates a demonstration project to test whether providing recovery housing under Medicaid can reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations for individuals with opioid use disorders.

Maddy summaryThe Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act prohibits states and their officials from restricting or penalizing health care providers who offer reproductive health services that are legal in the state where they are performed. This includes banning laws that stop doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or their staff from providing abortion, contraception, or other reproductive care, as well as preventing the denial of professional liability insurance based on these services. The bill establishes a private right of action allowing providers to sue in federal court to challenge such restrictions and mandates that the federal government cannot use funds to support legal cases against providers acting within state law. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $80 million in grants to support legal defense funds for providers facing lawsuits and to improve physical and cybersecurity measures at health care facilities.

Maddy summaryThe Military Sexual Trauma Accountability Act allows members of the U.S. Armed Forces to file lawsuits against the government if they suffer injury or death due to sexual misconduct by other service members or because the military failed to prevent or investigate such incidents. This law defines sexual misconduct to include rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, and it permits claims even when the government was negligent in its duties. The bill ensures that these claims are not reduced by any health benefits or services the veteran receives and sets a five-year time limit for filing, which pauses during any ongoing investigation. Additionally, the statute applies to cases that occurred before the law was passed, provided the filing deadline is calculated from the date of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 15, 2026, as Glioblastoma Awareness Day to raise public attention about this aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer. The bill honors patients and families affected by the disease while encouraging greater awareness of the urgent medical needs and research opportunities surrounding it. It also expresses support for collaborative efforts among government, private, and nonprofit organizations to develop better treatments and invests in ongoing research initiatives.

Maddy summaryThe Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to increase financial aid for college students by doubling the maximum Federal Pell Grant award to $10,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, with amounts rising annually to reach $15,000 by 2031-2032. The bill also changes the funding structure so that Pell Grants become a mandatory program that automatically adjusts for inflation rather than relying on annual congressional appropriations. Additional provisions expand eligibility to include students with negative financial aid indexes, provide special rules for recipients of means-tested benefits, and allow Dreamer students who become citizens or permanent residents to qualify for aid. The legislation further restores the total number of semesters a student can receive Pell Grants from 12 to 18 and modifies how institutions determine satisfactory academic progress to reduce penalties for students struggling with course requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution reaffirms the importance of the United States protecting refugees and displaced persons globally and within the country. It highlights specific statistics on displacement crises and criticizes current administration actions, such as an indefinite suspension of refugee admissions and cuts to foreign aid. The bill calls on government officials to restore the Refugee Admissions Program, lift bans on entry, and provide humanitarian support to vulnerable populations. While it does not change existing laws, it serves as a formal statement of support for refugee rights and urges the executive branch to resume resettlement efforts.

Maddy summaryThe Lifeline for First Responders Act creates a new grant program to support the mental health and wellness of emergency medical services and first responder agencies. Funded by $7.5 million annually from 2028 to 2032, these grants are distributed to fire services, EMS agencies, and dispatch centers for specific purposes. The program allows recipients to use the funds for stress reduction, suicide prevention, confidential counseling, family support, and related training. Managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the initiative aims to provide resources for behavioral health and stigma reduction within these critical service sectors.