Sen. Chris Van Hollen

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted. The resolution specifies that it shall not be construed to prevent the United States from defending against an attack on the United States or its personnel or facilities in other nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to join as an advisory member of state watershed management teams, including Maryland's Whole Watershed Program and similar programs in other states. The legislation allows the office to coordinate with state and local governments and federal agencies while providing technical assistance and financial resources for projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. By formalizing this advisory role, the bill enables the federal office to participate more directly in state-level watershed planning and implementation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026, requires most health insurance plans to cover HIV prevention medication without charging patients any cost-sharing fees. It directly affects people enrolled in private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and other government health programs by mandating that these plans cover the medication, related lab tests, and follow-up care without requiring prior approval. The law also prohibits insurance companies from denying life, disability, or long-term care insurance to individuals taking HIV prevention medication and requires a public education campaign to increase awareness about the medication.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the DISCLOSE Act of 2026, strengthens campaign finance transparency by requiring corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs, and other entities to disclose more information about their spending and funding sources. It closes loopholes that allow foreign nationals to contribute to U.S. elections by expanding disclosure requirements and prohibiting foreign money in ballot initiatives and referenda. The legislation also mandates that certain advertisements include lists of top funders and requires reporting of spending related to federal judicial nominations. Additionally, it streamlines administrative processes for challenging campaign finance laws and ensures coordination between the Federal Election Commission and financial authorities to enforce these rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill, called the BRAVE Burma Act, extends the existing sanctions law on Burma by ten years and requires the President to annually assess whether specific Burmese entities and individuals should face sanctions. It mandates the creation of a Special Envoy for Burma with ambassadorial rank to coordinate U.S. diplomatic efforts, including working with international partners to impose sanctions and arms embargoes on the Burmese military. The legislation also directs the Treasury Department to limit Burma's shareholding benefits at the International Monetary Fund if the State Security and Peace Commission remains in power, while allowing the President to waive this restriction for national interest reasons.

Maddy summarySRES 624 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating the week of March 2-6, 2026, as "National Social and Emotional Learning Week." It recognizes the role of social and emotional learning (SEL) in supporting students' academic success, well-being, and long-term outcomes, citing research on SEL's benefits. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but encourages federal agencies to advance SEL initiatives. It directly affects no specific group, as it is a non-binding expression of support. The resolution was introduced by Senators Durbin, Kaine, Van Hollen, and others.

Maddy summaryThe Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act (S. 3956) imposes a new 5% annual wealth tax on individuals and trusts whose net assets exceed $1 billion, with the threshold adjusted for inflation. The bill also expands Medicare coverage to include dental, hearing, and vision services, establishes a $60,000 minimum annual salary for public school teachers, and creates a birth-through-five child care entitlement program for families with income up to 250% of state median income. Additional provisions include permanent extensions of Medicaid protections for home and community-based services, increased funding for housing trust funds, and expanded child care and early learning support for working families.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 617) designates February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month" to symbolically recognize CTE programs nationwide. It supports CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand careers by promoting workforce readiness through academic and technical skills training. The resolution encourages educators, counselors, parents, and school administrators to advocate for CTE as a valid educational pathway. As a non-binding Senate resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds but affirms bipartisan support for CTE's importance in workforce development.

Maddy summarySRES 618 is a Senate resolution recognizing the vital role of career and technical education (CTE) educators and work-based learning coordinators in preparing students for careers, classrooms, and life. It highlights that these professionals deliver hands-on skills training, support workforce pipelines in critical economic sectors, and address persistent shortages in CTE staffing (reported in 25 states for the 2025-2026 school year). The resolution formally commends CTE educators and coordinators for their contributions and emphasizes that improving their wages, benefits, and working conditions would help reduce staffing gaps. It does not create new programs or funding but serves as a symbolic endorsement of CTE’s importance to U.S. economic competitiveness.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to use up to $4 million annually for five years to support African American history education programs. The funding can be used to create digital and print educational resources, provide teacher training and professional development, expand museum collections, and develop online content for educators, students, and families. The legislation also requires the museum director to submit annual reports to Congress and provide briefings to congressional committees on how the funds are being used. Additionally, the bill includes a sense of Congress statement encouraging the federal government to lead efforts in improving the teaching of African American and other minority group histories.