Sen. Tammy Duckworth

Maddy summaryThe Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act expands federal firearm restrictions to include individuals subject to any domestic violence restraining order, including temporary or emergency orders issued without the abuser's presence. It broadens the legal definition of an "intimate partner" to cover dating partners and other relationships protected by state laws, closing previous loopholes that allowed some abusers to keep guns. The bill also creates a federal grant program for states and tribes to fund the removal, storage, and return of firearms from individuals subject to these orders, requiring them to partner with local domestic violence service providers to ensure victim safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program that transfers management authority for certain federal court buildings from the General Services Administration to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. Under this new arrangement, the Director of the Administrative Office would gain the power to acquire, construct, alter, lease, and maintain court facilities, including the ability to hire contractors and manage utilities and security services. The legislation establishes a dedicated fund to finance these operations and requires congressional approval for major construction or leasing projects exceeding specific cost thresholds. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building be transferred to the Director's control within 181 days of the law's enactment. The program is designed to run for seven years, with a requirement to return all transferred properties to the General Services Administration by the tenth year.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates federal laws to ensure that members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force cannot be excluded from jobs or assignments based on their gender. It requires the Department of Defense to establish occupational standards using scientifically rigorous methods that evaluate technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical abilities without gender bias. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports to Congress detailing any involuntary reclassifications or separations and requires a detailed review of the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units. These changes are scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2026, with the first required report due the following year.

Maddy summaryThe Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 aims to create more predictable payment amounts for physicians by modifying how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services calculates fee schedules. It raises the financial threshold for certain budget adjustments from $20 million to $57.64 million starting in 2028 and requires these amounts to be adjusted every five years based on inflation data. The bill also mandates that the government update the costs of staff wages and medical supplies used to calculate payments at least once every five years and limits how much the overall payment rate can change from one year to the next to no more than 2.5 percent. These changes directly affect doctors and healthcare providers who receive Medicare payments, ensuring their reimbursement rates remain more stable and better aligned with actual costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands paid family and medical leave benefits for a wide range of federal workers, including those in the Executive Office of the President, the Postal Service, and the District of Columbia courts. It primarily increases the amount of paid leave available for specific events, such as the birth or adoption of a child, by allowing employees to take up to 26 workweeks of leave in total, which includes a separate 12-week portion for other family and medical needs. The legislation also clarifies that leave for adoption can begin before the child is placed with the family to support necessary pre-placement activities. Additionally, it updates the rules for various federal agencies to ensure their leave programs align with these new standards and covers employees who might have previously received different types of paid leave under separate laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. government to create a plan and task force to monitor and counter non-military pressure tactics used by China in the Indo-Pacific region. It requires the Secretary of State to submit a comprehensive strategy within 180 days that identifies how China uses economic, diplomatic, and informational tools to influence countries like Taiwan and the Philippines without triggering open warfare. To implement this plan, the bill establishes an interagency task force tasked with coordinating efforts, tracking these activities, and reporting annually to Congress on progress and vulnerabilities. The legislation also mandates that the final strategy and annual reports be made public to increase awareness of these coercive actions while allowing for a classified section if necessary.

Maddy summaryThe South China Sea Strategy Act of 2026 establishes official U.S. policy to support freedom of navigation and a rules-based approach to maritime disputes in the region. It requires the Secretary of State to create a diplomatic engagement strategy within 180 days that outlines goals for working with neighboring countries, allies, and partners on security, law enforcement, and economic issues. This strategy must detail plans to coordinate with these nations on topics such as managing territorial disputes, countering illegal fishing, and preparing for potential crises. Additionally, the bill mandates that the State Department identify necessary funding and resources for implementing this strategy by 2027 and report back to Congress within 30 days of that submission.

Maddy summaryS 2252, the "Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act," prohibits the U.S. government or its partners from destroying foreign aid commodities like food, medicine, vaccines, or family planning products before they spoil or expire. Instead, it requires agencies to urgently deliver these items to intended beneficiaries - such as people in disaster zones, refugee camps, or communities facing health crises - through donation, sale, or other means. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress detailing any expired, spoiled, or destroyed aid, including reasons for failure to deliver and associated costs. This directly affects U.S. agencies managing global health and food aid (like USAID and the State Department) and aims to prevent waste while supporting health outcomes and U.S. agricultural exports.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution recognizes the importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing their right to live in their own homes and communities. It calls on the Department of Justice to rescind a recent opinion that the Senate views as undermining the legal requirement to provide community-based services instead of institutional care. The document also urges various federal agencies to improve funding for home and community-based services, increase accessible housing and transportation, and promote competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Additionally, the resolution pledges bipartisan efforts to address barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, including those of color, and opposes cuts to the Medicaid program that could limit access to essential support services.

Maddy summaryThe CORE Pacific Act directs the Secretary of State to submit a report within 120 days analyzing the feasibility of assigning consular officers to Coast Guard and Navy missions in Pacific Island countries. This report will assess the current demand for consular services, potential cost savings, and logistical challenges such as space, security, and technology needed to provide these services aboard military vessels. The analysis will also evaluate how often these missions occur and the impact on existing naval operations to determine if this approach can better serve citizens of nations that do not host U.S. embassies.