Sen. Raphael G. Warnock

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to honor the contributions of these communities to United States history. The document highlights the diversity of the population, cites historical milestones such as the completion of the transcontinental railroad and the passage of immigration laws, and acknowledges specific achievements of individuals like Daniel K. Inouye and Patsy Mink. It also notes the ongoing challenges faced by these groups, including a rise in hate crimes, while celebrating their growing presence in government and society. Ultimately, the bill serves as a symbolic statement of appreciation rather than establishing new legal requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as National Small Business Week to honor the contributions of small business owners and entrepreneurs across the United States. The measure expresses appreciation for the economic role these businesses play and acknowledges the resilience of their owners and employees. By adopting this designation, the Senate aims to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit within every community without imposing any new laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThe Save America's Family Forests Act of 2026 provides tax incentives to encourage landowners to replant trees after natural disasters. It increases the standard tax deduction for general reforestation projects from $10,000 to $30,000 and adds a new, separate deduction of up to $1 million for costs incurred to replant timber damaged by federally declared disasters. These financial benefits are designed to help families and businesses recover from events like wildfires or storms by allowing them to write off replanting expenses on their tax returns. The bill also includes rules to prevent abuse, such as requiring that any property benefiting from these deductions be held for at least ten years before being sold. Additionally, the law mandates that these dollar amounts be adjusted annually for inflation to maintain their value over time.

Maddy summaryThe Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act establishes a grant program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to help state veterans agencies expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs. These grants, with a minimum of $200,000 per state, can be used to develop outdoor activities, partner with local providers, reduce costs for veterans, and coordinate with federal land management agencies. States must submit applications outlining their plans and report annually on participation numbers, veteran demographics, and observed well-being outcomes. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually in funding to support these initiatives aimed at improving physical and mental health through nature-based activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends increased dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It directly affects the spouses of veterans whose death was caused by ALS, specifically those who died on or after October 1, 2022. The key provision amends a law to treat veterans who died from ALS as if they had the disease for the required period before death, removing a prior time requirement for compensation eligibility. This change ensures surviving spouses qualify for the same benefits previously available only to veterans with longer ALS diagnoses.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Russia's War on Faith Act, mandates that the U.S. government create a detailed annual report documenting religious persecution in Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russian forces. The required reports must list specific actions taken against various religious groups, such as the destruction of worship sites, the detention of clergy, and efforts to force communities to align with the Russian Orthodox Church. Following each report, the President must certify whether individuals or entities listed for these abuses should face financial sanctions under existing U.S. laws. If the President agrees that sanctions are warranted, the bill authorizes the blocking of property and other penalties against those responsible for the documented violations.

Maddy summaryThe Drug Deal Disclosure Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly release specific records regarding agreements between the federal government and major drug manufacturers starting in 2025. This law mandates the disclosure of contracts that include provisions such as reduced drug prices based on international rates, direct-to-consumer sales discounts, duty exemptions, and special treatment for Medicare programs. While the bill allows for the redaction of confidential pricing details, it prohibits withholding information based on political sensitivity or reputational harm and requires a detailed justification for any redactions. Additionally, the act mandates reports to Congress and independent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the economic and budgetary impacts of these agreements.

Maddy summarySRES 627 is a Senate resolution designating March 5, 2026, as "National Slam the Scam Day" to raise public awareness about government imposter scams. It specifically targets scams where fraudsters impersonate agencies like the IRS, Social Security, or Medicare to steal money or personal information, disproportionately affecting older adults. The resolution encourages education through community groups, law enforcement, and financial institutions to help people recognize and report these scams, without creating new laws or regulations.

Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 This act permanently extends and expands judicial authority under the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016. The law allows and establishes procedures for civil claims and causes of action to recover artwork and other property lost between 1933 and 1945 because of Nazi persecution. Among the changes, the act removes the deadline for filing civil claims or causes of action. Currently, the filing deadline is December 31, 2026. (Claims must still be filed within six years of the claimant's discovery of the property in question.) The act permits courts to exercise jurisdiction over civil claims or causes of action against a foreign state without regard to the nationality or citizenship of the alleged victim. The art or property at issue must still have a connection to the foreign state's commercial activities in the United States. Additionally, the act authorizes nationwide service of process, which allows courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over defendants in any judicial district where they may be found, reside, have an agent, or transact business. Finally, the act limits the defenses that may be asserted against civil claims or causes of action, including by prohibiting defenses based on the passage of time, including equitable defenses such as laches (i.e., unreasonable delays); and discretionary bases for dismissal that are unrelated to the merits of the claim, including international comity (i.e., deference to the laws of other countries). These changes apply to pending and future civil claims or causes of action.

Maddy summaryThe Kira Johnson Act establishes a federal grant program to support community-based organizations working to improve maternal health outcomes for demographic groups facing higher rates of maternal mortality and health disparities. The bill authorizes $100 million annually from 2027 to 2031 for grants that fund programs addressing social determinants of health, culturally congruent care, and midwifery support, with special consideration given to organizations led by individuals from affected communities. It also creates a separate $5 million annual grant program for respectful maternity care training that requires ongoing education for all maternity care staff, including administrative and support personnel, to address bias and racism. Additionally, the legislation mandates that hospitals establish compliance programs to report and respond to instances of bias in maternity care, requires regular reporting on patient experiences, and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct studies on reducing discrimination in healthcare settings.