Sen. Tom Cotton

Maddy summaryS 6, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, requires healthcare providers at facilities performing abortions to provide the same medical care to infants born alive during or after an abortion as they would to any newborn, including immediate hospital admission. The bill mandates that any provider or facility employee who witnesses a failure to provide this care must report it to law enforcement, with violations punishable by fines up to $5,000 or up to 5 years in prison. It also allows women who undergo abortions to pursue civil lawsuits for damages if providers fail to comply, including three times the abortion cost plus punitive damages. The bill defines "abortion" as procedures intended to kill the unborn child or terminate pregnancy without preserving the child's life after viability.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require the U.S. Secretary of State to re-designate Yemen's Houthi group (Ansarallah) as a foreign terrorist organization within 90 days of enactment. It mandates the President to impose existing sanctions under two executive orders - blocking property under E.O. 13224 and restricting travel under E.O. 13780 - on Ansarallah and its members, agents, affiliates, or entities they own or control. These sanctions would apply to the group and its associated individuals or organizations, directly affecting the Houthi leadership and their operational networks. The bill does not create new sanctions but directs the re-imposition of existing measures previously revoked by the Biden administration.

Maddy summaryS 115, the GATE CRASHERS Act, makes it a federal crime to enter clearly marked restricted or closed Department of Defense (DOD) property without authorization. The bill creates new penalties under Title 18: up to 180 days in jail for a first offense, up to 3 years for a second offense, and up to 10 years for a third or subsequent offense. It directly affects individuals who trespass on DOD facilities despite clear signage restricting access. The law applies to all property under DOD jurisdiction that is marked as closed or restricted, with penalties escalating for repeat violations. This bill does not alter existing DOD security protocols but establishes specific criminal penalties for unauthorized access.

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill allows for a private right of action against an election official who registers an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses, including registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.

Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act or the FIND Act This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against firearm trade associations or businesses that deal in firearms, ammunition, or related products. Specifically, the bill requires a federal agency to include in each contract for the procurement of goods or services awarded by the agency a clause requiring the prime contractor to certify that it (1) has no policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and (2) will not adopt a policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association during the term of the contract. The bill establishes (1) a similar requirement with respect to subcontracts, and (2) penalties for violations. The bill makes such prohibition inapplicable to a contract for the procurement of goods or services that is a sole-source contract.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to designate Ansarallah (the Houthi movement in Yemen) as a foreign terrorist organization within 30 days, imposing sanctions on the group and its officials or affiliates. It mandates a 180-day strategy to restore Red Sea navigation and degrade Ansarallah's military capabilities, including targeting their command structure and support networks. The bill also requires a report on humanitarian aid obstacles in Yemen under Ansarallah's control, detailing bureaucratic barriers, interference with aid delivery, and threats to aid workers. The provisions directly affect Ansarallah, its leadership (including key figures like Abdul Malik al-Houthi), and U.S. efforts to support humanitarian access in Yemen.

Maddy summaryS 94, the "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act," authorizes three congressional gold medals for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team members. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medals, with one medal displayed at each of three locations: the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Minnesota, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs. The legislation also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This is a commemorative measure recognizing the team's 1980 Olympic victory, not a policy change affecting current legislation or constituents.

Maddy summarySRES 24 is a formal Senate resolution condemning President Biden's December 23, 2024, decision to commute the death sentence of Anthony George Battle. The resolution states the Senate believes this action undermined justice, as Battle was convicted of murdering his wife (a U.S. Marine) and later bludgeoned a correctional officer to death while in prison. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals; it is solely a symbolic expression of the Senate's disapproval. It has no legal effect beyond the Senate's official statement.

Maddy summarySRES 25 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing disapproval of President Biden's December 23, 2024, commutation of death row inmate Marvin Charles Gabrion II's sentence. The resolution condemns the action, citing Gabrion's conviction for murdering 19-year-old Rachel Timmerman (who was to testify against him) and his suspected involvement in other crimes. It states the Senate believes the commutation undermined justice and was politically motivated, not principled. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal effect and does not change Gabrion's sentence or any laws.

Maddy summarySRES 21 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating October 10, 2025, as "American Girls in Sports Day." It recognizes the positive impact of sports on young girls and celebrates women's athletic achievements in U.S. history. The resolution specifically calls for protecting "biological women and girls" in sports and references Title IX, while noting concerns about biological males competing in women's sports. This resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition and call to action for sports organizations.