Sen. Tammy Duckworth

Maddy summaryThe VITAL Act increases federal low-income housing tax credit allocations to states starting in 2026, with amounts adjusted annually for inflation to expand the supply of affordable and disability-accessible housing. The bill provides a 50% boost to the tax credit value for new buildings where at least half of the units are designed to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities and are located in areas with high walkability. To ensure these accessible units are actually built, the legislation requires states to allocate credits so that at least 40% of all new low-income housing units created over any three-year period meet these specific disability access criteria.

Maddy summaryThe Momnibus Act is a comprehensive legislative package designed to address maternal health disparities by expanding access to care, improving data collection, and funding community-based interventions for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Key provisions include extending WIC nutrition benefits for new mothers from six months to two years, establishing a federal task force to coordinate efforts across government agencies, and creating grant programs to support social determinants of health such as housing, transportation, and mental health services. The bill also mandates respectful maternity care training for hospital staff, requires states to restrict the shackling of pregnant individuals in prison to maintain federal funding eligibility, and authorizes significant research funding through the National Institutes of Health to study maternal mortality causes and climate change impacts on pregnancy outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe Bring Our Heroes Home Act requires all government agencies to identify, preserve, and transmit records related to missing military personnel and civilian personnel who supported the military (from December 7, 1941, through the bill's enactment date) to a new Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Collection at the National Archives. It establishes a Review Board to oversee the process, ensure timely public disclosure of these records, and periodically review any records withheld for national security reasons. The bill aims to make these records more accessible to families of missing personnel, researchers, and the public, while allowing limited exceptions to protect national security. This would improve transparency about the fate of missing military personnel and civilians who went missing while serving the country.

Maddy summaryThe Children's Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026 directs the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study on the safety, educational impact, and marketing ethics of AI-enabled toys for children under 14. This study will specifically examine risks of physical and psychological harm, the effectiveness of parental controls, and whether a temporary sales ban is necessary. Following the study, the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Product Safety Commission must create a joint action plan within two years that includes recommendations for new regulations, disclosure requirements, and public education initiatives. The bill defines AI-enabled toys as products capable of two-way interaction and applies these rules to developers and manufacturers of such items.

Maddy summaryThe Kids Online Safety Act (S 1748) requires major social media platforms, online video games, and other "covered platforms" to implement specific safety features for minors (under 17). These features include default privacy settings that limit harmful design features like infinite scrolling and auto-play, parental controls for managing minors' accounts, and restrictions on advertising illegal products to minors. The bill also mandates annual transparency reports about how platforms are used by minors and requires platforms to provide clear notices about their content algorithms. It creates a Kids Online Safety Council to advise Congress on online safety issues for children. The law applies to platforms with more than 10 million monthly users in the U.S. and takes effect 18 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe For Our Republic Act proposes sweeping reforms to federal civil service, immigration enforcement, and government ethics, with a significant focus on protecting noncitizen children in U.S. custody. The bill mandates that unaccompanied children be placed in family-like settings such as foster care rather than large congregate facilities, prohibits the separation of children from their parents or relatives except in cases of imminent danger, and requires the provision of government-funded legal representation for all detained minors. It also restricts immigration enforcement agencies from using biometric surveillance technology like facial recognition and establishes a new independent Ombudsperson to monitor compliance with child welfare standards. Additionally, the legislation strengthens protections for federal inspectors general, bans racial profiling by law enforcement, and introduces various measures to increase transparency and accountability within the executive branch.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to create a strategy for improving cyber cooperation with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. The document must outline current and future needs for defensive and offensive cyber operations, information sharing, and workforce development through 2040, while also assessing existing agreements and capability gaps among partner nations. Additionally, the law mandates a funding plan and a progress report to Congress by March 2028 to track the implementation of these efforts.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 1, 2026, as Gold Star Children's Day to honor the sacrifices and hardships faced by children of fallen members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill does not create new laws or change government operations; instead, it serves as a formal expression of gratitude from the Senate and encourages the public to observe this day in support of these families. By establishing this specific date, the measure aims to raise awareness about the legacy carried by children who lost a parent in military service.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 30, 2026, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day" to honor individuals who report misconduct, fraud, or abuse within the government. It requires federal agencies to inform employees, contractors, and the public about the legal protections available for reporting wrongdoing and to acknowledge the contributions whistleblowers make to saving taxpayer money. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but serves as a commemorative measure to encourage ethical reporting and recognize the role of whistleblowers in maintaining an ethical government.

Maddy summaryThe TURBO Act expands tax-exempt financing options for specific transportation projects to encourage investment in urban transit and freight infrastructure. It directly affects state and local governments issuing bonds to fund these initiatives by raising the maximum borrowing limit for highway and freight transfer facilities from $30 billion to $45 billion. Additionally, the bill allows tax-exempt bonds to be used for purchasing rolling stock like trains and permits high-speed intercity rail projects to have a maximum speed limit of 110 miles per hour instead of 150. These changes apply to any bonds issued after the law is enacted.