Sen. Chuck Grassley

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026, would require manufacturers and wholesalers of fertilizer to report weekly price and quantity data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The reporting would apply to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and fertilizer products sold in the United States, with separate data categories for domestic and foreign companies. Cooperatives and non-manufacturer retailers would be exempt from mandatory reporting but could choose to report voluntarily. The collected information would be published weekly on a public dashboard to help farmers and market participants make more informed marketing decisions and promote competition in the fertilizer industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public colleges and universities receiving federal funding from denying religious student groups access to campus facilities or official recognition solely because of their religious beliefs, practices, or standards. It directly affects public higher education institutions and religious student organizations seeking equal treatment alongside secular groups. The key mechanism requires institutions to provide religious groups with the same rights, benefits, and privileges - such as meeting space, event scheduling, and official status - as non-religious student organizations. This policy change ensures religious groups cannot be discriminated against in campus activities through the threat of withheld federal funding.

Maddy summaryThe Healthy Moms and Babies Act (S 2289) aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by strengthening Medicaid and CHIP programs. It requires states to report on maternal health quality measures, establishes a new "maternity health home" option for coordinated care during pregnancy and postpartum, and mandates studies on reducing cesarean sections and expanding doula services under Medicaid. The bill also requires states to collect data on social determinants of health affecting pregnant and postpartum women and provides guidance for reducing maternal mortality and severe morbidity. These provisions directly affect pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid, healthcare providers, and state Medicaid programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1677, Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act) requires health insurance plans to cover medically necessary treatments for congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. It mandates coverage for reconstructive services, dental/orthodontic care, and related treatments during the course of medical treatment, while excluding purely cosmetic procedures not medically necessary. Plans may apply cost-sharing requirements similar to those for other medical services but must provide notice about these coverage requirements to participants by January 1, 2026. The bill also directs a study on provider network adequacy and cost impacts related to these coverage requirements, to be completed by December 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to work with the Secretary of Defense and submit a report to Congress within 180 days on emerging threats facing Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The report will examine military, cyber, and political dangers from countries like Russia, Belarus, China, and Iran, while also assessing current U.S. and NATO security presence in the region. It includes recommendations for improving defense cooperation, cybersecurity, and democratic resilience in the Baltic states, and highlights opportunities to strengthen bilateral and multilateral partnerships. The legislation reflects Congress's view that supporting these NATO allies aligns with U.S. national security interests.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Stop Insider Trading Act, would restrict Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents from purchasing stocks in publicly traded companies. It requires these individuals to provide advance public notice at least seven days before selling any covered investments, with the notice filed with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate. The law includes exceptions for certain occupational transactions and reinvested dividends, and establishes penalties including fees and mandatory sales for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal whistleblower protections to clarify how they apply to employees whose main job is investigating and reporting wrongdoing. It specifically updates the legal definition of protected disclosures to include reports made during the normal course of duties by employees whose primary role involves regularly investigating and disclosing misconduct. The changes reorganize existing categories of protected speech and add a new provision to ensure these specialized investigators receive clear legal safeguards when reporting issues they encounter. The legislation directly affects federal employees in investigative roles and strengthens the statutory framework governing their ability to report wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Whistleblower Anti-Gag Act of 2026, aims to strengthen protections for federal employees who report wrongdoing by ensuring they are fully informed about their whistleblower rights. It modifies existing federal law to explicitly include nondisclosure policies, forms, or agreements in the scope of whistleblower protections under Title 5 of the United States Code. The change requires that any nondisclosure arrangements related to whistleblower activities comply with the same legal standards as other protected disclosures. This legislation directly affects federal workers and the agencies that employ them by clarifying how whistleblower rights interact with confidentiality agreements.

Maddy summaryThe Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (S 836) extends COPPA protections to teens aged 13-17 by requiring websites, apps, and online services to obtain verifiable consent from parents for children or from teens themselves before collecting or using their personal information for purposes beyond the service. It defines "personal information" broadly to include biometric data, voice recordings, persistent identifiers, and geolocation information, and prohibits using such information for individual-specific advertising without consent. The bill mandates clear notice about data practices and gives children and teens rights to access, correct, and delete their personal information. Additionally, it requires the FTC to conduct studies on mobile app oversight and the GAO to study teen privacy in financial technology products.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 6, 2026, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day" to recognize the value of speech and debate programs in schools. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages educational institutions, businesses, and communities to celebrate and promote these programs. The resolution highlights how speech and debate education develops communication, critical thinking, and civic skills for students. It directly affects schools, teachers, and students participating in these programs by raising awareness of their importance. The Senate formally designates the date and urges nationwide participation in honoring this educational focus.