Sen. Charles E. Schumer

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - 223 women who served as Army Signal Corps telephone operators in WWI. They connected 26 million calls in France, worked 12-hour shifts under combat conditions, and were denied veteran benefits for 60 years despite wearing uniforms and facing combat hazards. The medal recognizes their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and the decades-long struggle for recognition as soldiers. It directs the Treasury to strike the medal and place it in the Smithsonian for public display at institutions like the National WWI Museum.

Maddy summaryThis resolution authorizes former Senate employee Daniel Schwager to provide testimony in the criminal case *United States v. Kelley* (Case No. 22-408), which is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It specifically permits testimony on non-privileged matters related to his official Senate duties. The Senate Legal Counsel is also authorized to represent Schwager and other current or former Senate staff in connection with this testimony. The resolution aligns with Senate rules protecting its privileges and the Ethics in Government Act, ensuring Senate-held evidence is handled per judicial and procedural standards.

Maddy summarySRES 855 authorizes former Senate employee Daniel Schwager to provide testimony in the criminal case *United States v. Cudo* (Cr. No. 24-007), excluding matters protected by Senate privileges. It also directs the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Schwager and other current or former Senate employees regarding evidence related to this case. The resolution addresses a subpoena request without altering substantive law or creating new policy. This procedural action aligns with Senate rules governing the protection of official Senate records and testimony.

Maddy summarySRES 828 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing the chamber’s position that every person has the right to emergency health care, including abortion care, during medical emergencies. It highlights that abortion restrictions in emergencies force providers to choose between treating patients or risking criminal charges, disproportionately harming Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, low-income individuals, and LGBTQI+ patients. The resolution specifically notes that such bans create dangerous uncertainty for life-threatening conditions like severe hemorrhage, sepsis, or placenta previa. As a symbolic statement, it does not create new law or alter existing policies.

Maddy summarySRES 823 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15, 2024) and celebrating the cultural contributions and achievements of Latinos in the United States. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups; instead, it urges the public to observe the month through activities honoring Latino heritage. The resolution highlights Latinos' economic impact (e.g., $3.4 trillion purchasing power), demographic significance (19.5% of U.S. population), and historical military service, but these statistics serve as context, not policy changes. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal force and is intended to raise awareness, not alter government programs or funding.

Right to IVF Act This bill provides a statutory right to access fertility treatments (e.g., in vitro fertilization). Specifically, under the bill, individuals have the right to access fertility treatments and to make decisions about the use of their reproductive genetic material (e.g., embryos) without limitation or interference. Health care providers and insurers have the right to provide and cover these services, respectively. Manufacturers of applicable drugs or devices also have the right to provide these drugs or devices. The bill supersedes state laws that limit or otherwise interfere with the provision of fertility treatments as set out under this bill, including laws that require medically unnecessary procedures or services in conjunction with fertility treatments or that restrict the ability of individuals to receive fertility treatments based on marital status or sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity). The bill does not affect state health and safety regulations for medical facilities or health care providers that are in accordance with widely accepted and evidence-based medical standards and for which the purpose cannot be achieved in another, nonrestrictive manner. The Department of Justice may bring civil actions against states, individuals, or entities that implement or enforce limitations or requirements that violate this bill. Individuals and health care providers may also bring civil actions.  In addition, the bill provides for coverage of fertility treatments under Medicare and Medicaid and for members of the uniformed services and veterans. It also requires private insurers that cover obstetrical services to also cover fertility treatments.

Maddy summarySRES 809 is a Senate resolution designating September 13, 2024, as "National Sepsis Day" to align with the international observance of "World Sepsis Day." The resolution expresses support for raising public awareness about sepsis - a serious condition causing approximately 350,000 U.S. deaths annually - and emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect any individuals or programs; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage education and attention toward sepsis prevention. The resolution was introduced by Senators Schumer and Van Hollen and referred to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the CDC to establish a sepsis program team focused on improving hospital practices for early sepsis detection and treatment, with specific emphasis on pediatric cases and racial disparities. Key mechanisms include updating health data standards, requiring hospitals to adopt evidence-based protocols (like the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements), and mandating annual congressional reports on hospital adoption rates and pediatric sepsis outcomes. Hospitals may voluntarily join a "honor roll" program recognizing effective sepsis programs, while the CDC coordinates with Medicare/Medicaid to develop quality measures. The bill authorizes $20 million annually (2025-2029) to fund these initiatives, targeting hospitals and federal health agencies to reduce sepsis-related deaths.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 807) assigns the majority party's members to three key Senate committees for the 118th Congress: Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Finance; and Foreign Relations. It specifies the exact senators who will serve on each committee, including committee chairs (e.g., Mr. Brown for Banking, Mr. Wyden for Finance, Mr. Cardin for Foreign Relations). The assignments remain in effect until new members are chosen, ensuring committee composition aligns with the majority party's leadership for the current congressional term. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new policy but formalizes existing committee membership structure.

Maddy summaryS 4973, the "No Kings Act," removes presidential and vice presidential immunity from federal criminal prosecution, requiring such cases to be handled in federal district courts with appeals limited to the D.C. Circuit. The bill specifically bars the Supreme Court from reviewing cases involving claims of presidential immunity for official acts, including dismissals of indictments or overturning convictions. It directly affects current and former presidents and vice presidents by subjecting them to the same federal criminal accountability as all other citizens. Key provisions prevent courts from considering whether alleged crimes were part of official duties unless Congress specifies otherwise, and clarify that state criminal laws remain applicable.