Sen. John Fetterman

Maddy summaryS 173, "Ethan's Law," requires firearm owners to store guns securely in homes where minors (under 18) or individuals ineligible to own firearms might access them. It amends federal law to make non-compliant storage an offense punishable by a $500 fine per violation, with enhanced penalties (up to 5 years in prison) if injury or death results. The bill creates a federal grant program to support states with laws matching its secure storage requirements, offering funding incentives for states that enact similar measures. It directly affects homeowners with firearms in households containing minors or prohibited persons, aiming to reduce accidental child access and firearm-related injuries.

Maddy summaryThe Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights (S 178) establishes new requirements for airlines to compensate passengers for denied boarding and flight delays, with a minimum $1,350 payment for delays exceeding 4 hours. The bill mandates automatic refunds for all delays, requires airlines to provide meal and hotel accommodations for overnight delays, and prohibits airlines from unfairly attributing delays to "force majeure" events when within their control. It also sets standards for seat size, lavatory availability, potable water, and transparency in pricing, while creating private rights of action for passengers to seek legal remedies for violations. The bill increases civil penalties for noncompliance and requires airlines to provide clear disclosure of fees and passenger rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the FAIR Act (S 124), increases federal employee pay raises for calendar year 2024. It mandates a 4.7% base pay increase for all federal employees covered by statutory pay systems (most positions) and prevailing rate systems (based on local wages), effective January 2024. It also sets a 4.0% increase for locality-based pay adjustments under existing law. The bill directly affects all federal civilian employees whose pay is determined by these specific statutory systems.

Maddy summaryThe Better Care Better Jobs Act (S 100) aims to improve access to home and community-based services (HCBS) for Medicaid beneficiaries by providing federal funding to states for developing improvement plans and implementing an HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Program. The bill offers enhanced federal funding (a 10 percentage point increase in Medicaid matching rates) to states that meet requirements including maintaining or expanding HCBS access, improving direct care worker wages and training, and implementing quality measurement systems. States must develop detailed plans assessing current HCBS availability, workforce conditions, and barriers to access, and then report annually on progress toward specific benchmarks. The bill also makes permanent certain Medicaid provisions related to spousal impoverishment protection and extends the Money Follows the Person program, directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries and direct care workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill would admit Washington, D.C. as the 51st state, officially named "State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth," granting it full representation in Congress with two Senators and one Representative. It would establish a "Capital" area within the new state that remains under federal jurisdiction, including the White House, Capitol Building, and other key government properties. The bill would repeal the District of Columbia's congressional delegate position and the 23rd Amendment, which currently provides D.C. with electoral votes in presidential elections. It would also provide for the transition of federal properties, courts, and government functions while maintaining federal control over the Capital area.

Maddy summaryThe BUILD for Veterans Act of 2023 aims to improve how the Department of Veterans Affairs manages its physical infrastructure, including buildings, land, and related assets used to deliver health care and services to veterans. Key provisions require the VA to establish dedicated staffing for capital asset management at medical centers, develop performance metrics to track progress, and create a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan addressing staffing, budgeting, and planning needs. The bill also mandates climate resilience reviews for VA facilities, centralized management of asset disposal and reuse, and regular reports to Congress on capital asset projects, funding requirements, and performance metrics. These changes directly affect VA's operations across all medical centers, facilities, and infrastructure assets under its jurisdiction, aiming to make capital asset management more efficient and responsive to veterans' needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill would ban the sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of most semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns meeting specific criteria defined as "assault weapons," as well as large capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds. The ban would not apply to weapons already owned before enactment, or to certain types like bolt-action rifles, antique firearms, or weapons used by law enforcement. The bill would require identification markings on new assault weapons and magazines, require background checks for transfers of "grandfathered" weapons, and authorize federal buy-back programs for banned weapons through Byrne grants. It includes exemptions for military, law enforcement, and certain historical firearms.