Sen. Angela D. Alsobrooks

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program to expand access to mental health evaluations and correct funding mechanisms. It allows licensed mental health providers (not just physicians) to certify mental health conditions for WTC responders and survivors, and extends the timeframe to add new health conditions from 90 to 180 days. The bill also modifies how annual funding is calculated - using a 7% annual increase plus a population-based adjustment - to ensure long-term program sustainability through 2090. Additionally, it removes deceased individuals from enrollment counts to improve program accuracy and clarifies provider credentialing rules for the nationwide health network. These changes directly affect WTC responders and survivors seeking health coverage under the program.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 93) expresses the Senate's view that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) should not face funding disruptions or operational delays that violate existing law. It specifically highlights the importance of uninterrupted NIH work on research for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart disease. The resolution emphasizes that NIH scientists and researchers are essential to medical progress and public health efforts. As a symbolic resolution, it does not change funding laws or create new policies - it solely states the Senate’s position on protecting NIH operations.

Maddy summaryS 726, titled "Ethan's Law," requires gun owners to store firearms securely in homes where minors (under 18) or individuals ineligible to own guns (per federal/state law) reside. It makes unsecured storage unlawful if a person "knows or reasonably should know" access is possible, with exceptions for gun safes, secure locations, or carrying firearms on one's person. Violations incur $500 fines per offense, and enhanced penalties apply if injury or death occurs. The bill also creates a federal grant program to support states with similar secure-storage laws and states that non-compliance constitutes negligence. This law directly affects households with minors or prohibited individuals, aiming to reduce accidental shootings, youth access, and firearm thefts.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Equal COLA Act (S 624), equalizes cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for federal retirees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). It directly affects current and future FERS retirees, who currently receive less favorable COLAs than CSRS retirees. The key provision amends federal law to apply the same annual COLA calculation method - based on the previous year's price index change - to both systems, effective December 1 each year. This change ensures FERS annuities receive the same adjustment percentage as CSRS annuities, regardless of when the annuity began. The bill applies to all affected annuities commencing before, on, or after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act of 2025 requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to compensate poultry growers and egg-laying facility owners when their operations are in a USDA-designated "control area" (a zone established due to animal health threats like disease outbreaks). Compensation equals the average income from the owner's five most recent flocks multiplied by the number of flocks they were prohibited from raising during the control period, but cannot exceed the difference between this amount and any other compensation received. Payments must be made within 60 days of the owner's request. This bill directly assists poultry producers facing income loss due to USDA-mandated restrictions during disease control efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes new sanctions on foreign entities (including banks, insurers, and logistics companies) that knowingly facilitate Iran's oil, gas, LNG, or petrochemical exports. It blocks U.S. property of sanctioned entities and bars targeted individuals from entering the U.S. via visa restrictions or revocation. Exceptions cover goods imports and certain international obligations, while the President may grant limited 180-day waivers for national security reasons, subject to congressional reporting. The law aims to disrupt Iran's energy revenue streams used for terrorism, weapons programs, and repression, with enforcement coordinated through a new interagency working group.

Maddy summaryS 513, the Help Our Kelp Act of 2025, creates a federal grant program to fund projects restoring and conserving kelp forest ecosystems. It directly affects eligible entities like fishing industry groups, tribal governments, nonprofits, and coastal local governments, which can apply for grants covering up to 85% of project costs. Key provisions require projects to address declining kelp forests through methods such as removing sea urchins, restoring natural food chains, integrating Indigenous knowledge, and monitoring ecosystems. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030), with at least $750,000 reserved specifically for tribal-led projects.

Credit Union Board Modernization Act This bill revises the required frequency of meetings held by a credit union's board of directors. Specifically, new credit unions and credit unions with a low soundness rating must meet monthly. All other credit unions must hold at least six meetings annually, with at least one meeting held during each fiscal quarter. Currently, all credit union boards must meet at least once a month.

Maddy summaryS 529, the Capping Prescription Costs Act of 2025, limits how much individuals and families must pay annually out-of-pocket for prescription drugs under most health insurance plans. Starting in 2026, it caps these costs at $2,000 per person or $4,000 per family per year, with automatic annual adjustments using the medical care inflation rate (CPI). This applies to both individual health plans (under the Affordable Care Act) and group health plans (like employer-sponsored coverage), as amended across multiple federal laws. The bill does not change drug prices but directly affects millions of health plan enrollees by setting a maximum annual cost for covered prescriptions.

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.