Maddy summaryThis resolution requests the U.S. State Department to provide detailed information about Costa Rica's human rights practices, specifically focusing on how the Costa Rican government treats non-citizens removed to Costa Rica by the United States. The State Department must submit a report within 30 days, including evidence of alleged human rights violations (like arbitrary detention or torture), U.S. efforts to promote human rights, and assessments of conditions in Costa Rican detention facilities. It also requires data on U.S. removals of non-citizens to Costa Rica in 2025 and any agreements related to these transfers. The resolution is a procedural request under existing law (Foreign Assistance Act §502B(c)), not a binding policy change, and affects only the State Department's reporting obligations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 355) requests the U.S. State Department to provide a detailed report on Rwanda's human rights practices within 30 days. The report must cover Rwanda's treatment of non-citizens removed to Rwanda by the U.S., including allegations of arbitrary detention, torture, trafficking, and due process violations, as well as U.S. government actions to address these concerns. It also requires assessments of risks to U.S. security assistance and specific steps taken to protect individuals subject to removal. The resolution directly affects the State Department's reporting obligations under the Foreign Assistance Act.
Maddy summaryThe Warehouse Worker Protection Act creates new requirements for employers in specific warehouse facilities (defined by industry codes including 493, 423, 424, 454110, and 492110) that use performance quotas. It requires employers to provide written descriptions of quotas and workplace surveillance practices to workers, prohibits quotas that interfere with breaks, safety compliance, or discrimination protections, and gives workers the right to access their performance data. The bill mandates 15-minute paid rest breaks every 4 hours and establishes protections against retaliation for workers who exercise these new rights. Enforcement will be handled by the Department of Labor's new Fairness and Transparency Office and the Federal Trade Commission, with civil penalties for violations. This bill directly affects warehouse workers and employers in the warehousing, distribution, and delivery sectors.
Maddy summaryThe Sustaining Our Democracy Act establishes a federal program to provide funding to states for election-related activities. The Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program allocates funds to states for improving election administration, recruiting and protecting election workers, and increasing voting access for underserved communities including racial minorities, individuals with disabilities, and voters in Indian lands. States must submit approved plans detailing how funds will be used before receiving payments, and the bill prohibits using funds for activities that could diminish voter participation. The legislation creates an Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation to administer the program and establishes a $2.5 billion annual Trust Fund for fiscal years 2026-2035 to support these election-related activities.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes immediate protections for farmworkers against wildfire smoke and excessive heat. It requires agricultural employers to provide N95/N100 respirators when smoke levels become dangerous, cooling equipment and water during heat events, and mandatory 10-minute rest breaks every 2 hours in shaded areas. Employers must also train workers in their language on proper equipment use, health risks, and heat illness signs. The law creates a temporary standard effective immediately, with the Secretary of Labor required to develop a permanent rule within 90 days. These requirements directly affect farmworkers and their employers in agricultural operations across the U.S.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of State to produce annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices that include more comprehensive, fact-based coverage of internationally recognized rights. It mandates specific new reporting requirements, such as describing restrictions on internet freedom, protections for marginalized groups (including LGBTQI+ individuals and indigenous peoples), arbitrary detention, and government corruption's human rights impact. The bill also explicitly prohibits political influence in the reports, ensuring they remain credible tools for holding violators accountable. These changes directly affect how the State Department compiles and publishes its annual human rights reports, which inform U.S. foreign policy and global accountability efforts.
She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety Act or the She DRIVES Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to revise motor vehicle safety standards to require the use of certain anthropomorphic test devices (i.e., crash test dummies) and testing on female crash test dummies. Specifically, DOT must issue final rules to revise the current testing regulations to include specific adult male and adult female frontal impact and side impact crash test dummies. The final rules must establish or update the testing injury criteria based on real-world injuries and the greatest potential to increase safety. The injury criteria must include head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, upper leg, and lower leg criteria for the crash test dummies. The final rules must also establish crashworthiness frontal and side impact tests for adult female occupants in all front seating positions that are currently tested for adult male occupants (as of the date of the bill's enactment). Further, DOT must promulgate a final decision notice to update the testing procedures for the New Car Assessment Program of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require the use of these crash test dummies for frontal and side impact crashworthiness testing. Finally, DOT must submit reports to Congress that, among other things, identify timelines for DOT to incorporate additional types of crash test dummies into the regulations and identify testing devices used in other countries for similar crashworthiness standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 41) blocks a specific $1 million+ arms export to Israel by requiring congressional disapproval. It directly targets the proposed shipment of 20,000 Colt carbines (5.56mm fully automatic rifles) to Israel's National Police via M.R.D. Efram Investments Ltd. The resolution prohibits this export under the Arms Export Control Act, preventing the transfer of these firearms without congressional approval. This is a concrete policy change affecting the specific defense articles described in the export proposal.
Maddy summarySJRES 34 is a Senate joint resolution introduced by Senator Sanders on March 10, 2025, that prohibits a specific proposed U.S. military sale to Israel. It blocks the transfer of 201 MK-83 bombs, 4,799 BLU-110 bombs, and related JDAM guidance kits, along with engineering and logistics support services, as detailed in a March 3, 2025 government transmittal. The resolution invokes the Arms Export Control Act to halt this foreign military sale before it can proceed. This disapproval resolution directly affects the U.S. government’s ability to authorize and deliver these defense articles to Israel.
Maddy summarySRES 349 designates the week of August 3-9, 2025, as "National Farmers Market Week." The resolution recognizes farmers markets for their role in supporting local economies, connecting urban and rural communities, and promoting sustainable agriculture. It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the sector's contributions to food access, community engagement, and farming livelihoods. This is a ceremonial designation without binding policy changes.