Sen. Bernard Sanders

Maddy summaryThe FAIR Fees Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations within 270 days that prohibit airlines from charging fees for flight changes, cancellations, baggage, seat selection, or priority boarding if those charges are unreasonable or disproportionate to the actual costs incurred. The bill directs regulators to evaluate specific factors, such as the ability to resell seats and electronic processing costs, when determining if a fee is justified. It also mandates that parents traveling with children age 13 or younger be allowed to sit next to them without paying an extra charge. Airlines holding federal certificates for passenger transport would be subject to these new standards, which must be reviewed and updated at least every three years.

Maddy summaryThe Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act requires airlines and ticket agents to provide full cash refunds when a flight is cancelled, significantly delayed, or changed if the passenger declines rebooking or other compensation. A significant delay is defined as arriving at least three hours late on domestic flights or six hours late on international flights. Airlines must issue these refunds within seven business days for credit card purchases and twenty days for other payment methods, while passengers who cancel their own tickets at least 48 hours before departure are also entitled to a full refund within 30 days. The bill allows carriers to offer vouchers or credits as an alternative only if they clearly disclose the passenger's right to choose cash instead and ensure the voucher never expires. Violations of these requirements subject airlines and ticket agents to civil penalties, with specific rules applying to larger carriers based on annual operating revenue thresholds that are adjusted for inflation starting in 2028.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 20, 2026, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day to honor the service of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals in the U.S. Armed Forces. The text acknowledges historical discrimination, including the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and bans on transgender service, which resulted in thousands of discharges and denied benefits. It urges the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to end the current ban on transgender military service and restore access to gender-affirming health care for veterans and active duty personnel. Additionally, the resolution calls for these agencies to improve outreach so that individuals discharged based on their sexual orientation or gender identity can receive the benefits they are owed.

Maddy summaryThe Stop the Wait Act of 2026 eliminates the five-month waiting period required before individuals can receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, with a phased reduction starting in 2026 and full elimination by 2031. The bill directly affects people who are newly disabled and seeking federal financial support by allowing them to access these payments immediately upon approval rather than after a delay. Additionally, the legislation provides immediate Medicare coverage for eligible individuals under age 65 who lack other health insurance during this transition period. This change ensures that those without minimum essential coverage can enroll in Medicare Part A from the first month of their disability entitlement instead of waiting twenty-four months.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to prohibit a proposed sale of military equipment to the Saudi Arabian government. The specific items targeted for disapproval include over 10,000 Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits and more than 10,000 general purpose bombs, along with associated support services and spare parts. If enacted, this measure would block the transfer of these defense articles under the Arms Export Control Act.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 2026 as National Voting Rights Month to highlight the importance of voting access and the history of voter suppression in the United States. The bill encourages Congress to pass legislation that strengthens protections under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 while opposing measures that could restrict voter eligibility. It also recommends that schools develop curricula on voting rights history and invites the government to fund public service announcements to remind citizens of election dates and registration deadlines.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution requests that the Secretary of State submit a detailed report to congressional committees within 30 days regarding human rights practices in Israel, specifically focusing on the West Bank. The report must include all credible information on the killings of nine U.S. citizens by Israeli forces or settlers since January 2022, along with an assessment of ongoing investigations and potential accountability measures. Additionally, the resolution requires a description of the conditions and legal status of U.S. citizens currently held in Israeli prisons and an evaluation of the treatment of Palestinian children in military detention. The statement must also outline specific steps taken by the U.S. government to promote human rights observance and mitigate violence against both American and Palestinian residents in the region.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of September 13 through September 19, 2026, as "Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week" to recognize the contributions of these professionals. The bill highlights how community schools and their coordinators help improve student attendance, academic performance, and access to health services while reducing achievement gaps. It encourages students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in events that celebrate the work of community school coordinators across the United States.

Maddy summaryThe FABRIC Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to prohibit piece-rate pay for garment industry workers, requiring employers to pay at least the federal minimum hourly wage while still allowing incentive bonuses. It introduces joint and several liability for brand guarantors, making them financially responsible for labor law violations committed by their contractors or subcontractors, with an affirmative defense available if the brand can prove it had no knowledge of the violation. To enhance oversight, the bill mandates that garment manufacturers and contractors register annually with the Department of Labor, providing detailed information about ownership and employee history in exchange for a certificate that must be posted on-site. The legislation also establishes a new Undersecretary of the Garment Industry within the Department of Labor and authorizes $100 million in competitive grants to support domestic manufacturing, workforce development, and facility improvements.