Maddy summaryThe Targeting Child Predators Act of 2025 amends federal law to strengthen confidentiality for ongoing investigations into child predators. It requires recipients of certain administrative subpoenas (issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security) to keep the subpoena's existence and details secret for up to 180 days, unless a federal official certifies disclosure would endanger the investigation (e.g., by threatening safety, causing flight, destroying evidence, or intimidating witnesses). The bill also establishes a new court process for reviewing these confidentiality orders, requiring federal officials to provide specific justifications and courts to rule quickly on whether disclosure would jeopardize the investigation. This directly affects entities like financial institutions and online platforms that may receive such subpoenas.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1326 (Food Security and Farm Protection Act), prohibits state and local governments from imposing additional production standards on agricultural products sold across state lines. It directly affects farmers, food producers, and businesses involved in interstate agricultural trade by preventing states from creating new rules for farming that occurs in another state, unless federal or the producing state's rules already cover it. Key mechanisms include banning such extra state rules and creating a federal court process for affected parties (like producers or distributors) to challenge those rules and seek damages. The law also requires courts to issue temporary injunctions against enforcement of challenged regulations while cases are resolved, unless the state proves it will likely win and would suffer severe harm without the rule.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 159) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring the late Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr. (1932-2024), who represented Louisiana in the U.S. Senate from 1972 to 1997. It commemorates his career, including his work on energy policy, flood control, and Louisiana conservation efforts, and requests the Senate adjourn in his memory while sending condolences to his family. As a non-binding resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or laws.
Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 45 seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have allowed California to enforce its Advanced Clean Cars II vehicle emission standards. The resolution uses the congressional disapproval process under federal law to declare the EPA rule invalid, preventing California from implementing its stricter pollution controls for cars and trucks. If passed, this resolution would stop the rule from taking effect, meaning California could not override federal vehicle emission standards with its own requirements. The bill directly affects California's ability to set state-level environmental regulations for motor vehicles and the EPA's regulatory authority.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1308, VETS Opportunity Act of 2025) changes how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) counts independent study programs toward education benefits for veterans. It requires these programs to include regular, substantive interaction between students and instructors to qualify for VA funding. The bill also specifies that only institutions participating in federal student aid programs (Title IV of the Higher Education Act) can offer qualifying independent study courses. These changes apply to education terms starting August 1, 2025, directly affecting veterans pursuing VA-covered independent study courses.
Maddy summaryThe Driving Forward Act permanently exempts certain school bus drivers from needing to pass a pre-trip vehicle inspection test when obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL). This directly affects school bus drivers in states that choose to participate in the exemption, as they will no longer need to complete this specific test. The bill also requires participating states to submit annual reports for six years after enactment, tracking how many drivers obtain CDLs under this exemption. The exemption extends a temporary rule previously published in the Federal Register (December 2, 2024), making it permanent without altering other CDL requirements.
Maddy summaryS 1289 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The bill specifies coin specifications (e.g., 90% gold/silver content, design requirements including "Never Forget"), sets a one-year issuance window (January 1, 2027-2028), and requires surcharges of $35 per gold coin and $10 per silver coin. These surcharges will be paid directly to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance, with coins sold at a price covering face value, surcharge, and production costs. The legislation does not impose new regulations or affect public policy but focuses on commemoration and funding for the museum.
Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act or the DETERRENT Act This bill expands oversight and disclosure requirements related to foreign sources and institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, the bill requires an IHE to annually disclose to the Department of Education (ED) any year in which the IHE receives a gift from a foreign country of concern (e.g., China or Russia) or foreign entity of concern of any dollar amount; receives a gift or contract from a foreign source (other than a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern) that is valued at $50,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts or contracts within a calendar year (current disclosure threshold is $250,000 or more), or which has an undetermined monetary value; enters into a contract with a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern after receiving a waiver for such contract; or is substantially controlled by a foreign source. Additionally, the bill prohibits IHEs from entering into contracts with a foreign country of concern or with a foreign entity of concern without obtaining a waiver, and requires certain IHEs to disclose gifts or contracts between covered individuals (e.g., researchers) and foreign sources. The bill requires ED to investigate possible violations of this bill and outlines the various penalties for each violation. Penalties may include losing eligibility for federal student financial aid.
Maddy summaryThe Project Safe Neighborhoods Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends funding for the nationwide Project Safe Neighborhoods program through fiscal year 2030, supporting collaboration between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies across all 50 states and territories. It expands allowable uses of grant funds to include hiring crime analysts, covering overtime for officers and support staff, and purchasing technology for violent crime reduction. The bill adds specific funding for multi-jurisdictional task forces and requires the Attorney General to annually report to Congress on fund allocation, community outreach efforts, and violent crime statistics (including murder, robbery, and aggravated assault). These changes update the program’s funding structure and transparency requirements without altering its core focus on reducing violent crime through community-based strategies.
Maddy summarySRES 153 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the contributions of women in U.S. agriculture, citing that women operate over 1.2 million farms (36% of total sales, $222 billion in 2022) and work across diverse roles from farming to education and advocacy. The resolution encourages public acknowledgment of women’s impact on the agricultural workforce and food systems, urging support for women entering the field, leadership opportunities, and global food security. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally honors this group during National Women’s History Month and National Ag Week.