Sen. David McCormick

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Department of Veterans Affairs' high technology program to include emerging fields like artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to help veterans find jobs in growing industries. It requires the VA, along with the Departments of Defense and Labor, to partner with private sector employers and schools to identify these new job opportunities and the specific training needed to fill them. The agencies must then prominently display this information on their websites and promote it to veterans during their transition from military service. Additionally, the law mandates that the list of relevant industries and occupations be reviewed and updated every quarter to reflect changing market demands, with the entire program set to expire in September 2027.

Maddy summaryThe Bereaved Parents Rights Act requires hospitals and birth centers to inform parents of stillborn fetuses or miscarriages about their options for burial, cremation, or hospital disposal. This notification must occur within six hours of the event or the parent's discharge, using a standardized form provided by the federal government. If a parent chooses to arrange burial or cremation within 72 hours, the facility must follow the state's existing rules for handling fetal deaths. The law also allows parents to file a civil lawsuit in federal court if a hospital fails to comply with these notification and disposition requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Kempthorne, a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. It formally acknowledges his public service across various roles, including his work on environmental conservation, veterans' support, and economic development in Idaho. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to his family. Additionally, the Senate stands in adjournment as a final mark of respect to his memory.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows hydropower project license holders to request up to 6 additional years to begin construction on projects that received licenses before March 13, 2020. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may grant extensions in two-year increments, but the total extension cannot exceed six years. For licenses expiring after December 31, 2023, FERC can reinstate them to immediately apply the extension.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the statute of limitations for fraud enforcement related to two specific Small Business Administration (SBA) grant programs. It adds a 10-year time limit for criminal prosecutions or civil enforcement actions targeting violations of federal fraud, identity theft, or false claims laws (e.g., 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1028A, 1344, 1956) involving grants for shuttered venue operators (under the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act) and restaurant revitalization (under the American Rescue Plan Act). The bill directly affects recipients of these SBA grants by setting a clear 10-year window for legal action against alleged fraud. It does not change the grant programs themselves, only the timeframe for enforcing fraud-related penalties.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the Senate's view that the United States should prioritize countering the People's Republic of China as its main strategic competitor. The document outlines specific policy directions, including strengthening military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, protecting American economic interests from Chinese trade practices, and leading in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. It also calls for maintaining strong alliances with nations such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, while supporting democratic values and human rights globally.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes Maternal Mental Health Day on the first Wednesday of May to raise awareness about mental health issues affecting new mothers. It highlights the prevalence of these conditions, noting that they are common complications of pregnancy that often go undiagnosed and can negatively impact both mothers and their children. The bill calls for increased public education on risk factors and symptoms, honors the challenges mothers face, and encourages further research and provider training to improve treatment options.

Maddy summaryThe Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act of 2026 streamlines federal permitting for energy projects by reducing environmental review requirements and setting strict deadlines for agency actions. It modifies the Clean Water Act to limit state authority in certifying water discharges, mandates that certain energy and carbon dioxide pipeline projects be exempt from NEPA reviews, and establishes a 120-day limit for courts to decide lawsuits challenging these permits. The bill also extends nuclear reactor licenses to a maximum of 60 years, exempts new nuclear reactors at existing sites from NEPA compliance, and restricts judicial review of tribal trust resource projects to claims brought by the tribes themselves. Additionally, it creates a 150-day statute of limitations for most NEPA-related lawsuits and requires courts to issue final decisions on environmental challenges within 180 days.

Maddy summaryThe Prediction Market Act of 2026 establishes a regulatory framework for "event contracts," which are financial agreements based on the outcomes of specific real-world occurrences rather than commodity prices. This legislation directly affects designated contract markets, swap execution facilities, and futures commission merchants by requiring them to list these contracts only after a review to ensure they do not involve unlawful activities, terrorism, assassination, war, violence, or gaming. To protect retail investors, the bill mandates enhanced disclosure requirements, anti-money laundering compliance programs, and the creation of a new Office of the Retail Advocate to assist consumers and analyze market issues. Additionally, the Act prohibits Members of Congress and executive branch officials from trading in event contracts and directs the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to conduct studies on market growth and potential fraud.

Maddy summaryThe AI OVERWATCH Act establishes new export controls on advanced integrated circuits destined for specific countries of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba. It requires companies to obtain a specific license for each export of high-performance chips, prohibiting the use of general licenses and mandating detailed certifications to Congress regarding national security and defense impacts. The bill defines these restricted chips by their technical processing power and creates a "trusted United States person" program that allows certain domestic entities to bypass licensing requirements if they meet strict security and ownership standards. Additionally, the legislation requires the government to develop an "American Artificial Intelligence Victory Strategy" outlining how to maintain U.S. leadership in AI against foreign competitors.