Sen. Tina Smith

Maddy summaryThe FDPIR Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2026 allows Indian Tribes to take over the management of the federal food distribution program on their reservations. Under this bill, the Secretary of Agriculture must enter into self-determination contracts with Tribal organizations upon the Tribe's request. These contracts would operate under the same rules as other self-governance agreements, with the Bureau of Indian Affairs providing technical support to both the Department of Agriculture and the Tribes involved.

First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to reject a specific federal rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the WISeR Model, which was designed to reduce wasteful spending by requiring prior authorization for select Medicare services. If passed, the measure would legally nullify the rule, preventing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from enforcing the new prior authorization requirements on healthcare providers. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and medical facilities that would otherwise have to comply with these administrative changes. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, the legislation aims to stop the implementation of the policy without altering the underlying statute governing Medicare.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates an interagency review by the Health and Human Services, Defense, and Veterans Affairs secretaries to accelerate research on lung cancer in women and underserved populations (including those eligible for screening per USPSTF guidelines). It requires evaluating existing research gaps, identifying collaborative opportunities for innovative studies (like environmental/genomic factors), developing a national screening strategy, and creating public education campaigns focused on early detection. The review must produce a comprehensive report to Congress within two years of enactment. The bill directly affects women and underserved groups at higher risk for lung cancer by targeting research, screening access, and awareness.

North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the individuals and communities that provided financial and other support for the North Platte Canteen in North Platte, Nebraska, during World War II.

Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2026 prohibits any person or government entity from restricting, sanctioning, or discriminating against individuals who travel to another state to receive reproductive health care that is legal there. It also protects those who assist travelers and reproductive health care providers from facing penalties for offering services to out-of-state patients, effectively overriding any conflicting state laws. The bill establishes a private right of action allowing affected individuals, organizations, and providers to sue in federal or state court for violations, with provisions for damages and attorney's fees. Additionally, it removes state sovereign immunity defenses for officials enforcing laws that interfere with this travel right, ensuring federal courts can hear such cases directly.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting American Consumers Act establishes a minimum funding level for the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to ensure it has sufficient resources to operate. Specifically, the bill mandates that the federal government must transfer at least 12 percent of the Federal Reserve System's total operating expenses to the Bureau each fiscal year. This provision directly affects the Bureau's budget and its ability to enforce financial regulations on lenders and other entities that impact consumers. By setting a fixed floor for funding, the legislation aims to prevent the Bureau's budget from being reduced below this threshold in future years.

Maddy summaryThe Postal Delivery Accountability Act requires the United States Postal Service to review and implement specific recommendations from its own Inspector General regarding undelivered and partially delivered mail routes. The law mandates that the Postal Service complete these changes within one year of the bill's enactment. This legislation directly affects mail delivery operations by addressing gaps identified in a 2022 report on delivery route performance.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life and legacy of Donald W. Riegle, Jr., a former U.S. Senator from Michigan who passed away in April 2026. The bill formally acknowledges his nearly three decades of public service, including his roles as a Representative and Senator, and highlights his significant contributions to legislation on banking, housing, and veterans' health. It also expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and directs officials to share the resolution with the House of Representatives and send a copy to Riegle's family. Finally, the Senate will stand in adjournment as a mark of respect for the former senator when the session concludes.

Maddy summaryThe AGE Act of 2026 creates a new tax credit to help taxpayers cover the costs of caring for elderly relatives who are at least 65 years old and need assistance with daily living. This credit allows individuals to claim up to $6,000 per year for expenses such as medical care, adult day services, personal care, respite care, and home modifications, provided the care recipient is a parent, grandparent, or other household member. The amount of the credit decreases by one percentage point for every $4,000 that a taxpayer's income exceeds $120,000, and the benefit is reduced if the taxpayer already uses a dependent care assistance program. To qualify, taxpayers must report the names, addresses, and taxpayer identification numbers of both the care providers and the elderly individuals they are supporting on their tax returns.