Sen. John W. Hickenlooper

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 EBOLA Act directs the President to rejoin the World Health Organization within 30 days and immediately collaborate with the agency to address the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. This legislation authorizes funding to cover the financial obligations required to restore U.S. membership and to support global response efforts aimed at preventing the virus from spreading internationally. The bill is based on the finding that infectious disease outbreaks pose significant threats to national security and public health, and that participation in the WHO is essential for effective disease monitoring and coordination.

Maddy summaryThe SAFER Health Act of 2026 strengthens privacy protections for individuals by prohibiting healthcare providers and related entities from disclosing information about abortions or pregnancy losses in legal proceedings without the individual's explicit consent. This rule applies to all types of legal cases, including civil, criminal, and administrative matters, with specific exceptions for defending against professional liability claims or investigating physical harm caused to the individual. The bill also requires health IT systems to separate this sensitive data from other records and mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services update existing regulations to enforce these privacy standards. Additionally, the law preempts any conflicting state laws that offer less privacy protection for this specific type of medical information.

Maddy summaryThe Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act aims to combat unpaid wages by strengthening penalties, improving worker protections, and funding community enforcement efforts. It directly affects employers who may underpay workers and employees who face wage theft, particularly low-wage workers, immigrants, and minorities. Key provisions require employers to provide detailed pay stubs and final payments within 14 days of termination, while also granting workers the right to full compensation as agreed in employment contracts. The bill increases civil fines and criminal penalties for violations, extends the time limit for filing wage claims, and establishes a grant program to support partnerships between the Department of Labor and community organizations.

Maddy summaryThe Right to Vote Act establishes federal protections ensuring that citizens can vote in elections for federal office without undue burdens or substantial impairments. It prohibits governments from making voting more difficult unless they can prove that such restrictions are the least restrictive way to achieve an important government interest. The bill creates a specific legal pathway for voters to challenge voting rules in court, requiring officials to provide strong evidence justifying any limitations on the voting process. Additionally, it mandates that courts handle these cases quickly and allows for the recovery of attorney fees for successful plaintiffs. These measures apply to all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia for elections occurring on or after September 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act prohibits states and their officials from restricting or penalizing health care providers who offer reproductive health services that are legal in the state where they are performed. This includes banning laws that stop doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or their staff from providing abortion, contraception, or other reproductive care, as well as preventing the denial of professional liability insurance based on these services. The bill establishes a private right of action allowing providers to sue in federal court to challenge such restrictions and mandates that the federal government cannot use funds to support legal cases against providers acting within state law. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $80 million in grants to support legal defense funds for providers facing lawsuits and to improve physical and cybersecurity measures at health care facilities.

Maddy summaryThe Do Not Interfere in our Intelligence Act of 2026 establishes specific rules for who leads the Office of the Director of National Intelligence when the top position is empty. It clarifies that the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence automatically takes over if the Director is absent or the job is vacant, overriding previous legal restrictions. In rare situations where both the Director and the Deputy are unavailable, the President must appoint an acting leader from among other Senate-confirmed officials within the intelligence community or the broader intelligence community. The bill also provides a final fallback option for the President to appoint an acting director if no other qualified Senate-confirmed individuals are available to serve.

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.

Maddy summaryThe Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 strengthens the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure individuals with long-term care needs have a federally protected right to live in their own homes or integrated community settings rather than institutions. It mandates that states and insurance providers offer community-based services, provide maximum control over care choices to individuals, and establish enforceable plans to transition people out of institutional facilities. The bill also creates new enforcement mechanisms, including a task force to study barriers to community living, requirements for public participation in planning, and the ability for individuals to sue for damages if they are denied these community-based options.

Maddy summaryThe CHILE Act of 2026 creates a new federal program to provide emergency financial assistance to producers of specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, when they face adverse events like economic crises or market disruptions. Under this framework, the Secretary of Agriculture would calculate payments based on the producer's recent sales history and a specific payment factor designed to cover losses, while also accounting for the higher input costs and diverse business structures common in this sector. The legislation sets a total funding limit of $5 billion for fiscal year 2027, with higher payment caps for large-scale farming operations that derive at least 75 percent of their income from agriculture.