Sen. Todd Young

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to permit official representatives and military members from Taiwan (including the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office) to display the Republic of China flag and military insignia during specific official engagements. It applies directly to visiting Taiwanese government officials, service members, and TECRO personnel during their U.S. diplomatic or military-related activities. The key provision mandates that such displays be allowed for wearing official uniforms, hosting government ceremonies, and appearing in official State and Defense social media promotions about U.S.-Taiwan engagements.

Maddy summaryThe MERIT Act amends federal accreditation standards to require colleges and universities to stop giving preferential treatment in admissions based on an applicant's relationship to alumni or donors. This rule defines such favoritism as making an admissions decision where that relationship is the main deciding factor, though it allows institutions to consider demonstrated interest if criteria are clear and accessible to everyone. The bill also includes a specific exemption for faith-based schools to make admissions consistent with their religious values and requires the Department of Education to report on compliance efforts every two years. Additionally, the legislation directs the Department of Education to study how to collect data on the prevalence of legacy and donor admissions without creating a private database of personally identifiable information.

Maddy summaryThe Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve transparency and predictability in certifying new aircraft and technologies. It directs the FAA to publish a plan within 180 days to streamline handling technical issues during certification, set standard timelines for key steps (like applicant responses), and convert stable issues into published policies. The bill also mandates updated guidance on delegating certification tasks to ensure safety and efficiency, especially for emerging sectors like advanced air mobility. The FAA must consult with industry stakeholders and report annually to Congress on implementation progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Calumet region in Indiana and Illinois as a National Heritage Area, formally establishing a framework to preserve and promote its unique industrial, cultural, and natural resources. It specifies the boundaries (covering parts of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties in Indiana and adjacent Illinois areas) and names the Calumet Heritage Partnership as the local coordinating entity responsible for managing the area. The bill requires the local entity to submit a management plan within three years and sets a 15-year limit on federal funding for the initiative. This designation directly affects residents, tourism, and conservation efforts in the region by creating a structured approach to protect sites like Indiana Dunes National Park and historical industrial landscapes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.

Maddy summaryThe Ratepayer Protection Act establishes a new federal standard to protect utility customers from high electricity bills caused by large industrial users. It defines "large-load customers" as non-residential entities with a peak power demand of 100 megawatts or more that primarily use electricity for data centers and computing. Under this bill, these customers must pay for the full cost of any power plant, transmission line, or distribution upgrade needed to serve them, including costs incurred if the customer leaves the utility early. Additionally, utilities are required to obtain financial guarantees from these large customers before making such infrastructure investments. State regulators must review and implement these rules within two years, unless a state has already enacted similar protections.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting American Taxpayers Act is a comprehensive bill designed to combat government fraud, recover misused funds, and strengthen oversight across various federal programs. It directly affects federal agencies, state governments administering public assistance, small businesses, veterans, and contractors by imposing new reporting requirements, extending statutes of limitations for fraud cases, and restricting financial assistance to entities linked to foreign agents or the Taliban. Key mechanisms include requiring child care payments to be based on recorded attendance rather than enrollment, mandating investigations into sudden spikes in health care spending, prohibiting small businesses with convicted fraudsters from receiving loans, and creating a new officer within the Department of Veterans Affairs dedicated to scam prevention. Additionally, the legislation rescinds unspent pandemic-era funds for deficit reduction, expands whistleblower protections for defense and non-defense contractors, and establishes stricter rules against transferring public assistance money abroad via remittance transfers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal regulatory framework for Outcomes-Based Financing (OBF) products, which are loans for education where repayment amounts depend on the borrower's future income. It directly affects private lenders, educational institutions, and students by establishing specific rules for how these loans are underwritten, disclosed, and repaid. Key provisions require lenders to clearly advertise and disclose critical terms like income thresholds and payment calculations, while also mandating that monthly payments never exceed 20% of a borrower's income. The legislation further defines how these loans are treated for tax purposes, bankruptcy discharge, and credit reporting, and it preempts certain state laws that might otherwise restrict such financial products.

Maddy summaryThe Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes Congress to award a gold medal to individuals who fought for or with the United States in the Pacific theater during World War II and were taken as prisoners of war. This recognition specifically honors those who participated in the defense of Bataan and Corregidor, including Filipino soldiers and civilians who served alongside American forces, as well as nurses and other personnel who endured the Bataan Death March and subsequent imprisonment. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the medal, which will be presented to the Smithsonian Institution for display, while also permitting the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

Maddy summaryThe PASTEUR Act of 2026 establishes a government program to financially support the development and commercial availability of new antibiotics needed to fight drug-resistant infections. Under this bill, the Secretary of Health and Human Services can enter into contracts with pharmaceutical sponsors to provide annual payments ranging from $75 million to $300 million for drugs that treat specific resistant pathogens and address unmet medical needs. To receive these funds, companies must agree to manufacture the drugs in the United States, report resistance data, educate healthcare professionals on proper usage, and adhere to environmental best practices. The legislation also creates a new advisory group to evaluate drug applications and authorizes grant programs to help hospitals and outpatient clinics improve their antibiotic stewardship and resistance monitoring.