Sen. Jim Banks

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally honors the life, service, and legacy of Jon Llewellyn Kyl, a former U.S. Senator from Arizona who passed away at age 84. It details his career highlights, including his time in the House of Representatives, his long tenure in the Senate, and his work on issues such as water policy, national security, and crime victims' rights. The bill directs the Secretary of the Senate to share this tribute with the House of Representatives and Kyl's family, while also ordering the Senate to adjourn for the day as a mark of respect.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates the week of September 27 through October 3, 2026, as "Religious Education Week" to recognize the role of religious instruction in civic and moral development. The bill highlights historical perspectives and legal precedents that support the right to religious education, including the use of sectarian schools and released time programs for public school students. It calls on all states, territories, and the District of Columbia to accommodate individuals who wish to leave public school attendance to attend religious classes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to restrict eligibility for Pell Grants to students who are citizens or nationals of the United States. It directly affects non-citizen and non-national students currently enrolled in or applying to institutions that receive federal financial aid, as they would no longer qualify for this specific grant program. The legislation achieves this by adding a new definition of "eligible student" that explicitly requires U.S. citizenship or nationality, overriding other provisions that might allow broader eligibility.

Maddy summaryThe Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 restricts the importation, sale, and use of connected vehicles and related technology from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to protect national security. Starting in 2027, the bill generally bans these vehicles if they originate from or are controlled by these countries, with separate restrictions on software and hardware taking effect in 2030. The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to issue specific exemptions for items that do not pose a security risk and must publish a list of approved products. The law also requires companies to submit declarations confirming their vehicles comply with the rules and imposes heavy fines for violations.

Maddy summaryThe Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the federal terrorism insurance program through 2034, ensuring continued government support for insurance companies facing large losses from terrorist attacks. The bill also updates the schedule for recouping federal funds, shifting the timeline for when insurers must repay taxpayer money to later dates ranging from 2029 to 2036. These changes directly affect insurance carriers and policyholders by maintaining the program's availability for a longer period and adjusting the financial obligations tied to it.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends two existing public health programs focused on tick-borne diseases through 2030. It updates the funding timeline for national vector-borne disease centers and health department support from 2021-2025 to 2026-2030. The bill does not change program content or eligibility but ensures continued funding for efforts addressing tick-related illnesses. It directly affects public health agencies administering these programs, not specific individuals.

Maddy summaryThe TEAM USA Act would amend the Higher Education Act to limit the number of international student athletes on varsity sports teams at colleges that receive federal financial assistance. Under this bill, no more than 20 percent of a team's official roster could consist of international student athletes, or just one such athlete if the team has fewer than ten members. The legislation defines an international student athlete as someone who is not a U.S. national or permanent resident, or who receives athletic financial aid from a foreign Olympic or Paralympic committee. Institutions would be required to report their roster demographics annually to the Secretary of Education and relevant athletic associations, with these rules taking effect for the 2029-2030 academic year.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the funding authorization for the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act from 2026 to 2031, ensuring continued financial support for research into treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It requires the Food and Drug Administration to review clinical trial data more rigorously by assessing patient enrollment numbers and requesting interim results from drug manufacturers before renewing research grants. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that clinical trials in phase 3 include combined phase 2/3 studies and planned trials that have not yet started enrolling participants. The bill also mandates the FDA to publish a report within a year of enactment detailing its progress on rare neurodegenerative disease action plans and how it coordinates with broader disease communities. Finally, it adjusts the timeline for a Government Accountability Office report to cover a five-year period instead of four.

Maddy summaryThe Stopping Border Surges Act proposes significant changes to U.S. immigration law regarding unaccompanied children and asylum seekers. It mandates that unaccompanied alien children be repatriated to their home countries if they do not meet specific criteria, while also allowing for the detention of families who entered the country together for misdemeanor border-crossing charges. For asylum applicants, the bill restricts eligibility to those arriving at designated ports of entry and shortens the deadline to file an application from one year to six months. It introduces a "safe third country" provision that can bar asylum claims if an individual transited through another nation without seeking protection there first. Additionally, the legislation requires audio or video recording of expedited removal interviews, imposes criminal penalties for asylum fraud, and terminates asylum status if an individual voluntarily returns to their home country.