Sen. Tom Cotton

Maddy summaryS 2755, the Protecting American Research and Talent Act, prohibits federal funding for fundamental research collaborations between U.S. universities and specific foreign entities deemed security risks (like certain Chinese institutions linked to military or defense programs). It allows limited waivers for universities with low international enrollment (under 15% overall, and under 5% from "foreign countries of concern"), requiring federal agencies to justify waivers and report detailed data on collaborations, enrollment, and intellectual property terms. The law mandates annual reports to Congress on compliance, including lists of institutions seeking waivers and specifics about any approved research partnerships. This directly affects universities seeking federal research grants involving international partners, particularly those with significant enrollment from designated high-risk countries.

Maddy summaryS 2702 requires K-12 schools receiving federal funds to obtain parental consent before accommodating students' gender identity expressions that differ from their biological sex. It prohibits schools from hiding such information from parents, encouraging students to conceal gender identity concerns, or facilitating referrals for gender transition procedures without consent. Schools must publicly post compliance policies and provide written policies to families, with violations allowing parents to sue for injunctive relief, attorney fees, and compensation for "harm" from gender transition treatments. The bill directly affects school districts, staff, and families of students under 18, mandating parental involvement in decisions about gender identity accommodations.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits "youth offender" status in DC to individuals 18 or younger, replacing the previous 24-year age limit. It requires the Attorney General to create a public website publishing monthly, detailed juvenile crime statistics - including arrest numbers broken down by age, race, sex, crime type (like vandalism or violent offenses), first-time vs. repeat offenses, and sentencing outcomes - while prohibiting personally identifiable information. The bill also prohibits the DC Council from changing mandatory minimum sentences or sentencing guidelines during its effective period. These changes directly affect DC youth in the justice system and provide transparency on juvenile crime data.

ACES Act of 2025 This act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study and report on the prevalence and mortality of cancers among veterans who served on active duty as aircrew members and regularly flew in fixed-wing aircraft.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 16, 2025, as "National Airborne Day" to honor the history of U.S. airborne forces. It recognizes the first official U.S. Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940, and acknowledges the service of airborne units across multiple conflicts. The resolution calls on the American public to observe the day with appropriate programs and ceremonies. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, as it is a symbolic recognition. The designation applies to the entire country and encourages public acknowledgment of airborne forces' legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits noncitizens from voting in all District of Columbia elections, including local elections for public office and ballot initiatives. It directly affects noncitizen residents of Washington D.C. who previously could vote under the repealed 2022 law. The bill repeals the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, restoring the prior rule that limited voting in D.C. elections to U.S. citizens. This change would require noncitizen D.C. residents to obtain citizenship to vote in local elections.

Maddy summaryS 2567 (CAP Act of 2025) removes a special exception that allowed colleges and universities to hire foreign workers on H-1B visas without being subject to annual visa caps. This change means institutions of higher education will now face the same annual limits on H-1B visas as other employers. The bill directly affects U.S. colleges and universities that employ foreign workers through the H-1B program. It modifies existing immigration law to eliminate this exemption, requiring these institutions to compete within the standard H-1B visa quota system.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. immigration law to make certain DUI convictions automatically lead to immigration consequences. Non-citizens convicted of driving while intoxicated or impaired (including DUI under state law) would be barred from entering the U.S. (inadmissible) or face deportation, regardless of whether their offense was classified as a misdemeanor or felony locally. The key mechanism adds new grounds for inadmissibility and deportability under the Immigration and Nationality Act, treating DUI offenses as serious immigration violations. It directly affects non-citizens with such convictions, expanding immigration enforcement to include these offenses. The bill does not change state DUI laws but links them to federal immigration outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes camping on public property in Washington, D.C. a criminal offense. It defines "camp" as using materials to create a temporary shelter and prohibits this activity on public land. Violators face fines up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both. The law directly affects individuals who set up temporary shelters on public property within the District of Columbia.

Maddy summaryS 2506, the SkyFoundry Act of 2025, establishes a Department of Defense program to rapidly develop and produce small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). It mandates two key facilities: an Army-operated innovation hub for R&D/testing and a production facility capable of manufacturing 1 million UAS annually, prioritizing existing Army depots meeting specific land and infrastructure requirements (15,000 acres, 8 million sq. ft. facilities). The bill authorizes streamlined acquisition methods like "other transaction authority" and Defense Production Act tools to accelerate development, while ensuring the U.S. government retains intellectual property rights for developed systems. This directly affects the Department of Defense, Army Materiel Command, contractors, and Army depots selected for facility sites.