Sen. Dan Sullivan

Flight 293 Remembrance Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to identify and publish information related to non-combat military plane crashes and provide support to families of members of the Armed Forces who die in such crashes. Specifically, DOD must identify and document all non-combat military plane crashes categorized as Operational Loss/Non-War Loss. Further, DOD must develop and maintain a public database of the names, ranks, and service details of all members of the Armed Forces who died in such crashes. DOD must also provide assistance to the families of members of the Armed Forces who have died in non-combat crashes by (1) ensuring the families are aware of and have access to DOD benefits, resources, and support services; (2) offering personalized guidance on navigating and applying for such benefits, resources, and support services; and (3) connecting those families with community and peer support networks. Additionally, DOD must establish a designated point of contact for such families to guide them through the benefits process, provide certain updates, and liaise with relevant agencies or organizations to ensure coordinated assistance. The bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, sex, race, color, or national origin in the provision of assistance and services under this bill.

Maddy summaryThe INFORM Act aims to increase access to independent information for citizens of the People's Republic of China (PRC) who face internet censorship. It establishes a "Global News Service" to curate and distribute uncensored Mandarin Chinese-language content, creates an interagency task force to coordinate efforts, and authorizes $75 million over five years for these initiatives. The bill focuses on developing circumvention tools to bypass China's internet censorship (Great Firewall), creating content addressing PRC citizens' interests, and improving coordination among U.S. government agencies. The strategy requires the President to submit a plan within one year detailing how to improve access to independent information for PRC citizens both inside and outside China. This legislation addresses the imbalance in information access between the United States and China's censorship regime.

Maddy summaryThe IRONDOME Act of 2025 directs the Department of Defense to modernize U.S. homeland missile defense systems in response to growing threats from China, Russia, and North Korea. Key provisions require transferring missile defense operations from the Missile Defense Agency to military departments by 2024, accelerating production of 80 Next Generation Interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska (to be completed by 2038), and expediting development of systems like THAAD, space-based interceptors, and drone detection networks. The bill authorizes $19.5 billion for fiscal year 2026, with specific funding for interceptor production, radar modernization, satellite systems, and dirigible procurement. It directly affects U.S. missile defense programs, contractors, and infrastructure projects supporting homeland security.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes key defense leadership roles within the Department of Defense. It creates a new "Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Industrial Base Development and Engagement" to strengthen U.S. defense manufacturing through cooperation with allies (including Taiwan), reporting directly to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. It renames the existing "Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities" position to explicitly include "Homeland Defense" responsibilities, adding oversight for homeland defense policy, civil support, and Arctic resilience. The bill also eliminates the separate "Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs" position and expands the International Security Affairs role to cover Western Hemisphere affairs. These changes directly affect the Department of Defense's internal structure and reporting lines.

Maddy summaryS 383 (the JOBS Act of 2025) expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in certain short-term job training programs at eligible institutions of higher education. The bill creates a "job training Federal Pell Grant" for programs meeting specific criteria: 150-600 clock hours over 8-15 weeks, aligned with high-demand industry sectors, and leading to recognized postsecondary credentials that meet employer hiring requirements or licensure prerequisites. It also lowers the minimum Pell Grant award from 10% to 5% of the full annual amount. This directly affects students seeking career-focused training and institutions offering qualifying programs that validate industry partnerships.

Maddy summaryThe Fair Access to Banking Act (S 401) prohibits large financial institutions ($10 billion+ in assets) and payment networks from denying services to lawful businesses based on political or reputational factors, such as the type of legal business they operate. It requires banks to justify denials using objective, risk-based standards instead of category-based decisions, and mandates written explanations for denials. The law enables lawsuits against violators with treble damages and civil penalties up to 10% of service value (capped at $10,000 per violation). It directly affects major banks, payment processors, and credit unions that serve large-scale customers, ensuring fair access for businesses operating within federal law.

Maddy summaryS 364, titled the "Hearing Protection Act" (though it regulates firearm silencers, not hearing protection), changes federal law to treat firearm silencers like firearms for tax and regulatory purposes. It imposes a 10% federal tax on silencers (similar to firearms), preempts state laws that tax or regulate silencers beyond federal rules, and requires the destruction of existing silencer registration records within one year. The bill clarifies definitions of "firearm silencer" in federal law and modifies licensing requirements for these devices. This directly affects silencer owners, manufacturers, and state governments that previously imposed additional restrictions or taxes.

Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act This bill allows, beginning in 2028, for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen for cancer across many cancer types, if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determines such coverage is appropriate. Coverage is limited to those under a certain age (age 68 in 2028, increased by one year every year thereafter) and to one test every 11 months.

Maddy summaryThe Southern Mongolian Human Rights Policy Act establishes U.S. policy to support Southern Mongolians in China by calling for diplomatic action, sanctions against officials responsible for human rights abuses, and cultural preservation efforts. It requires the U.S. to establish an Inner Mongolia-focused team in the Beijing embassy, report on human rights conditions, and identify officials responsible for policies that suppress Mongolian language, culture, and traditional pastoral lifestyles. The bill authorizes funding for Voice of America Mongolian-language broadcasts and supports cultural preservation initiatives for Southern Mongolians facing forced assimilation policies. It specifically addresses Chinese government actions including the replacement of Mongolian-language education with Chinese, restrictions on religious practice, and the forced resettlement of nomadic communities.

Laken Riley Act This act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. The act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Under this act, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of the above crimes. The act also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.