Sen. Charles E. Schumer

Maddy summaryS 677, the Border Airport Fairness Act of 2025, would require the President to designate qualifying airports within 30 miles of the U.S. northern or southern border as official ports of entry. These airports must be primary airports (as defined by federal law) and formally connected to a border crossing or seaport within 30 miles, meeting U.S. Customs and Border Protection's established criteria. The bill's key provision removes user fees currently applied to these airports under the 1984 Trade and Tariff Act. This change directly affects eligible border-area airports by eliminating a specific fee obligation, streamlining their status as ports of entry.

Maddy summarySRES 80 is a Senate resolution introduced on February 13, 2025, expressing gratitude to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, the Architect of the Capitol, the Sergeant at Arms, the Secretary of the Senate, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel, and volunteers. It specifically acknowledges their work during the January 20, 2025 inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, noting their efforts to adapt to cold weather challenges that required relocating events indoors. The resolution has no policy impact and serves solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment of their contributions to the inauguration's security and success.

Maddy summaryThe Department of Energy Quantum Leadership Act of 2025 enhances the Department of Energy's quantum research program by creating new initiatives to advance quantum information science, engineering, and technology. It establishes National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, a Quantum Instrumentation and Foundry Program to develop domestic quantum supply chains, and a Quantum User Expansion program to enable software development for quantum systems. The bill includes specific funding levels through 2030 ($175 million annually for the main program, $50 million annually for instrumentation), requires coordination with other federal agencies, and includes restrictions on funding for quantum research involving certain foreign entities of concern. It also includes provisions for workforce development through traineeships focused on underrepresented students in quantum fields. These changes aim to accelerate U.S. leadership in quantum technology development and commercialization.

Maddy summarySRES 64 is a Senate resolution honoring the 67 victims of a mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army aircraft near Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025. It directly affects the families, friends, and communities of the victims, who were from multiple U.S. states and several countries. The resolution formally commemorates the lives lost, offers condolences to grieving families, and expresses gratitude to the 42 emergency response agencies that assisted in rescue and recovery efforts. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy or legal effect beyond expressing collective mourning and recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs $1.4 billion annually (2025-2029) to upgrade U.S. Postal Service mailboxes with high-security models and replace physical "arrow keys" with electronic locks, directly affecting postal carriers and mail collection points. It requires the Attorney General to appoint dedicated prosecutors in each judicial district to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of crimes against postal employees, including assaults or robberies. The bill also mandates the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend guidelines so that assaults or robberies against postal employees are treated with the same severity as assaults against law enforcement officers. These changes aim to enhance physical security, improve legal responses to violence, and increase penalties for attacks on postal workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, which incentivizes private investment in low-income communities. It modifies the tax code to keep the credit available beyond 2025 (replacing "2020 through 2025" with "2020 and each calendar year thereafter") and adds automatic annual inflation adjustments to the credit amount starting in 2026. The bill also provides tax relief by allowing NMTC credits to offset the alternative minimum tax, specifically for investments made after December 2024. This directly affects community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and investors who fund projects in designated low-income areas.

Maddy summaryS 490, the Protecting Americans’ Privacy Act of 2025, restricts access to Treasury payment systems (like those managing public funds) to prevent unauthorized use of tax return information. It prohibits certain non-tenured federal employees, contractors with less than a year of service, and individuals with conflicts of interest from accessing these systems, with violations subject to civil lawsuits. The bill also amends tax law to explicitly forbid disclosing tax returns via these payment systems to restricted personnel, allowing affected taxpayers to seek $250,000 in damages per violation. It directly affects federal employees, contractors, and entities handling public funds, focusing on safeguarding taxpayer data through clear access rules and enforcement.

Maddy summaryThe Plum Island Preservation Act permanently protects Plum Island, New York, and its associated properties for ecological conservation, historical/cultural heritage preservation, and public access. It requires the General Services Administrator, within 180 days of enactment, to initiate visioning sessions with federal agencies, state governments, Tribal nations, and stakeholders to develop a future ecological management plan. The Administrator must submit annual reports to Congress detailing consultation efforts, discussion topics, outcomes, and timelines for completing this planning process. The bill directly affects the management of Plum Island’s federal land and ensures ongoing oversight through mandatory reporting to congressional committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to study whether Plum Island in New York should be added to the National Park System or National Wildlife Refuge System, or protected through other means. The study must evaluate the island's national significance, consult with relevant agencies and groups, and estimate costs for potential protection options. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress within three years of funding the study, outlining findings and recommendations. The bill itself does not change current protections or management of Plum Island; it only authorizes a study to inform future decisions.

Maddy summaryS 432 establishes the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park in New York to preserve and interpret the site where 982 Holocaust refugees were housed from 1944 to 1946. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to acquire sufficient land (only via donation for state-owned property) and issue a Federal Register notice before establishing the park. It mandates a management plan within three years and allows cooperative agreements for interpretive services and public access to historic resources. The park unit will focus on protecting the physical site and its historical significance for public education.