Sen. Chris Van Hollen

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating July 10, 2026, as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day to honor the workers who maintain the nation's electricity grid. The bill honors these employees for their critical role in keeping power running daily and for their dangerous work restoring service during disasters and extreme weather. It also commemorates the 130th anniversary of the death of Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died while restoring power. Finally, the resolution encourages Americans to observe this day with reflection on the sacrifices made by lineworkers over the past century.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the 27th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead v. L.C. decision, which established that states must offer community-based services to individuals with disabilities rather than forcing them into institutions. The bill affirms the legal requirement that people with disabilities should live in the most integrated settings possible and salutes those who have expanded home and community support services. It also condemns a recent Department of Justice opinion that challenges this integration mandate and calls on the department to rescind that opinion. Additionally, the resolution criticizes cuts to the Medicaid program and urges Congress to restore funding to protect the health and independence of people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes June 2026 as LGBTQ Pride Month to honor the history, contributions, and ongoing struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals in the United States. The document outlines the community's achievements in civil rights and public service while highlighting persistent challenges such as discrimination in employment and housing, as well as hate crimes. It also acknowledges the global context of LGBTQ rights, noting both international progress and the persecution faced by individuals in various countries. Ultimately, the resolution expresses support for equal treatment and encourages the public to use the month to learn about and celebrate the LGBTQ community.

Maddy summaryThe Next Generation Shipping Act establishes a $10 billion federal program to fund the research, development, and deployment of zero-emission vessels and clean alternative fuel technologies for the maritime industry. Administered by the Department of Transportation, the program provides grants, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees to eligible entities such as ship owners, manufacturers, and port authorities, while explicitly prohibiting funding for automated vessel systems. The legislation also creates an advisory committee composed of representatives from labor, academia, environmental groups, and industry to guide the program and ensure it addresses technology gaps and environmental justice concerns. Additionally, the act mandates that projects receiving funding utilize prevailing wage standards and encourages the use of community benefits agreements to support local workforces and communities.

Maddy summaryThe National Fab Lab Network Act of 2026 creates a new nonprofit corporation to establish and connect a national network of digital fabrication facilities, known as fab labs, across the United States. These labs are designed to provide communities with access to advanced manufacturing tools that allow individuals to create goods and products from digital designs, with a specific goal of placing at least one lab in every congressional district while prioritizing underserved areas. The corporation will coordinate this network by setting operational standards, maintaining a registry of labs, and distributing funds to support the creation and sustainable operation of these facilities. Its board of directors will be composed of representatives from diverse sectors, including education, tribal communities, and the private sector, and will be appointed by Senate and House leadership. Additionally, the organization is required to submit annual reports to congressional committees detailing its activities and progress.

Maddy summaryThe EBOLA Act directs the President to rejoin the World Health Organization within 30 days and immediately collaborate with the agency to address the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. This legislation authorizes funding to cover the financial obligations required to restore U.S. membership and to support global response efforts aimed at preventing the virus from spreading internationally. The bill is based on the finding that infectious disease outbreaks pose significant threats to national security and public health, and that participation in the WHO is essential for effective disease monitoring and coordination.

Maddy summaryThe Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act aims to combat unpaid wages by strengthening penalties, improving worker protections, and funding community enforcement efforts. It directly affects employers who may underpay workers and employees who face wage theft, particularly low-wage workers, immigrants, and minorities. Key provisions require employers to provide detailed pay stubs and final payments within 14 days of termination, while also granting workers the right to full compensation as agreed in employment contracts. The bill increases civil fines and criminal penalties for violations, extends the time limit for filing wage claims, and establishes a grant program to support partnerships between the Department of Labor and community organizations.

Maddy summaryThe Artemis II Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of gold medals to the four crew members of the Artemis II Mission to recognize their historic contributions to space exploration. This legislation directs the U.S. Treasury to strike these medals, which must depict the mission's crew, and allows the mint to sell duplicate bronze versions to cover production costs. The bill highlights the mission's significance as the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since 1972 and notes the diverse achievements of the astronauts, including the first woman and first person of color to travel around the Moon. By designating these awards as national medals, the act formally honors the crew's role in advancing human spaceflight capabilities.

Maddy summaryThe Medicare Cost Cap Act of 2026 establishes a $5,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket costs for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries starting in 2028, after which Medicare will cover 100% of additional covered expenses. This protection applies to all individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B and includes tracking mechanisms to notify patients and providers once the cap is reached. The bill also modifies eligibility rules for low-income assistance programs, aligning income thresholds between Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid and expanding data sharing to streamline enrollment for qualifying beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThe Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act prohibits states and their officials from restricting or penalizing health care providers who offer reproductive health services that are legal in the state where they are performed. This includes banning laws that stop doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or their staff from providing abortion, contraception, or other reproductive care, as well as preventing the denial of professional liability insurance based on these services. The bill establishes a private right of action allowing providers to sue in federal court to challenge such restrictions and mandates that the federal government cannot use funds to support legal cases against providers acting within state law. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $80 million in grants to support legal defense funds for providers facing lawsuits and to improve physical and cybersecurity measures at health care facilities.