Sen. John Barrasso

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month" to raise public awareness about mentoring programs. It recognizes the benefits of mentoring for youth - including improved academic performance, mental health, career development, and reduced risk of delinquency - and highlights that 40% of U.S. youth lack a mentor. The Senate encourages community, school, and workplace efforts to expand existing mentoring programs and recruit volunteers to support young people. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to promote existing mentoring initiatives across the country.

This resolution supports the designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer and recognizes the critical role of women in agriculture. The resolution also encourages citizens to celebrate the impact these women have on the food systems and agricultural workforce of the United States by encouraging and empowering women to pursue careers in agriculture and cultivate leadership opportunities.

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill (1) provides for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses. Individuals voting in federal elections must present an eligible photo identification document. An individual who votes by absentee ballot must submit a copy of their identification document with both the request for, and the submission of, the absentee ballot.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Senate to provide advice and consent for any international climate agreement that involves legally binding domestic emissions reductions (like the Paris Agreement), treating such agreements as treaties under the Constitution. It directly affects the executive branch and federal agencies by blocking the use of federal funds to implement or comply with these agreements unless Senate approval is first obtained. The key mechanism is changing the process for entering climate agreements from executive action to a formal treaty ratification process. This would prevent the U.S. government from joining or rejoining international climate deals without Senate confirmation. The bill does not alter the content of climate agreements but changes how they are approved and funded.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of January 25-31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week" to recognize educational options for K-12 students. It encourages parents to learn about school choices and urges the public to host events raising awareness about diverse education environments, including public schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling. The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it is a ceremonial designation acknowledging existing annual events celebrating educational choice.

Maddy summaryThe SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2026 prohibits the FDA from approving new abortion drugs or granting investigational exemptions for them. It requires existing approved abortion drugs to be dispensed only in-person by certified healthcare providers in clinics or hospitals (not pharmacies), mandates providers to verify pregnancy duration and handle complications, and enforces strict adverse event reporting to the FDA. The bill directly affects healthcare providers prescribing abortion drugs, patients seeking these medications, and the FDA’s regulatory authority over such drugs. Key provisions include banning use after 70 days gestation, requiring provider certification for specific medical capabilities, and mandating documentation of risks to patients.

Maddy summarySRES 585 is a commemorative resolution honoring Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a former U.S. Senator from Colorado and the first Native American to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. It recognizes his military service, Olympic judo career, legislative work (including authoring the National Museum of the American Indian Act), and advocacy for tribal communities. The resolution has no policy impact - it formally expresses the Senate’s respect for his legacy, requests transmission to his family, and directs a moment of silence. It directly affects Campbell’s legacy and family, not any current policy or population. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with legislative provisions.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare to cover genetic counseling services provided by licensed or certified genetic counselors starting January 2027. It defines covered services and sets payment at 80% of the lower of the actual charge or 85% of the physician fee schedule. Medicare beneficiaries seeking genetic counseling and genetic counselors practicing in licensed or certified states will directly benefit from this expanded coverage. The bill also prohibits balance billing for these services and updates Medicare rules to clarify that physicians may still bill for genetic counseling if covered under existing rules.

Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act This act reauthorizes through FY2028 the Congressional Award Board, the board that administers the Congressional Award Program, and modifies program medals. (The program, established by law in 1979, awards medals to youth ages 14 to 23 who satisfy standards of achievement set by the board. The program aims to promote initiative, achievement, and excellence among youth in the areas of public service, personal development, and physical fitness.) The act removes a requirement for program medals to consist of gold-plate over bronze, rhodium over bronze, or bronze. The reauthorization is effective as if enacted on October 1, 2023 (the date on which a prior reauthorization expired).

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SRES 573), not a legislative bill, expressing the Senate's position on U.S. leadership in religious freedom. It reaffirms the U.S. commitment to promoting religious freedom globally, encourages the Secretary of State to use diplomatic tools to address foreign violations, and supports existing roles like the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. The resolution does not create new laws or change policies but serves as a symbolic statement urging continued U.S. engagement on this issue. It directly affects U.S. diplomatic efforts and messaging toward countries with religious freedom concerns, such as China and Nicaragua, as cited in the resolution's background.