Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public colleges and universities receiving federal funding from denying religious student groups access to campus facilities or official recognition solely because of their religious beliefs, practices, or standards. It directly affects public higher education institutions and religious student organizations seeking equal treatment alongside secular groups. The key mechanism requires institutions to provide religious groups with the same rights, benefits, and privileges - such as meeting space, event scheduling, and official status - as non-religious student organizations. This policy change ensures religious groups cannot be discriminated against in campus activities through the threat of withheld federal funding.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Love Lives On Act of 2025 modifies veterans' and military survivors' benefit rules to prevent remarriage from automatically ending eligibility. It directly affects surviving spouses of veterans or military members who remarried, ensuring they retain access to key benefits. Key provisions include: (1) preventing termination of veterans' dependency compensation (under 38 U.S.C. §1311/1562) due to remarriage; (2) stopping termination of military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities solely for remarriage, with specific rules for those who remarried before age 55; and (3) expanding TRICARE coverage to include remarried widows/widowers whose subsequent marriage ended (via death, divorce, or annulment). These changes restore or maintain benefits that were previously lost upon remarriage.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow federal law enforcement officers, including retired officers, to purchase firearms that have been retired from federal service. It requires the General Services Administrator to create a program where officers can buy these surplus weapons within six months of retirement, provided they are in good standing with their agency. The firearms would be sold at salvage value, which reflects their age and condition, and the program must be established within one year of the bill's enactment. The legislation defines eligible officers and firearms using existing legal definitions while excluding certain machineguns that were not lawfully possessed before specific federal restrictions took effect.
Maddy summaryThis bill would require the U.S. Secretary of State to annually report on whether the Polisario Front, a group involved in the Western Sahara conflict, has received military support from Iranian-linked terrorist organizations. If such cooperation is confirmed, the President would designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization and impose financial sanctions that block its assets and prohibit U.S. transactions with it. The legislation defines specific types of military support that would trigger sanctions, including weapons, drones, and intelligence sharing. It applies to the Polisario Front and any successor organizations, while defining Iranian-affiliated terrorist groups as those officially designated by the U.S. government.
Maddy summaryThe Safe Access to Cash Act of 2026 creates new federal criminal penalties for crimes targeting ATMs and people using or servicing them. It makes it a crime to use force, violence, or intimidation to rob, extort, or assault ATM users, servicers, or those delivering cash to ATMs, with penalties up to 25 years for violent acts or killings. The law also sets higher penalties for breaking into ATMs to steal over $1,000 (up to 10 years) versus lesser thefts (up to 1 year), and defines "ATM" broadly to include all network-connected machines owned by banks or credit unions. It updates existing bank robbery law to include "conspires to take" and clarify that "force or violence" applies to such offenses.
Maddy summary# Summary of Legislative Document This is a comprehensive legislative document titled "Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026" (or similar), containing numerous provisions related to weather research, wildfire management, and harmful algal bloom programs. The document is organized into several titles: **Title I: Fire Ready Nation** - Establishes a coordinated fire weather services program with the following key components: - A Fire Weather Services Program to support wildfire readiness, response, and resilience - A Fire Weather Testbed for evaluating new technologies and models - Requirements for data management and technology modernization - Incident Meteorologist Service to provide on-site decision support - Surveys and assessments following wildfire events - Workforce needs assessments for incident meteorologists **Title II: Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control** - Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to: - Establish a National Harmful Algal Bloom Observing Network - Create a National-Level Incubator Program for innovative solutions - Update definitions and requirements for addressing harmful algal blooms - Increase funding for NOAA and EPA activities **Title III: Other Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Matters** - Includes additional provisions for funding, reporting, and interagency coordination. **Key Themes:** - Enhanced coordination between Federal agencies (NOAA, USDA, Interior, etc.) - Increased focus on technology (including uncrewed systems) for fire weather monitoring - Emphasis on impact-based decision support services - Requirements for data sharing and interoperability - Special attention to remote, rural, and tribal communities - Workforce development and support for emergency response personnel - Mandatory reports to Congress from the Government Accountability Office The document includes numerous definitions, authorization of appropriations (including specific funding levels for each agency), and detailed implementation requirements for the various programs established. It aims to improve wildfire prediction, response, and management while addressing related environmental concerns like harmful algal blooms.
NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the programs and activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The bill also revises certain existing NASA programs and establishes new programs related to space exploration, research, and technology. For example, the bill directs NASA to continue its efforts to support crewed lunar landings and Mars explorations, including through partnerships with the private sector (i.e., the Moon to Mars and Artemis programs). The bill also requires NASA to maintain the capability for a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit until and beyond the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS). NASA may solicit proposals for the development of a commercial space station in low-Earth orbit. When such a station is ready, NASA must initiate an orderly transition of operations from the ISS to the commercial station. NASA must also develop a de-orbit vehicle for the eventual retirement of the ISS. ( Low-Earth orbit encompasses orbits at an altitude of 1,200 miles or less.) In addition, NASA is authorized to develop an architecture for lunar communications and navigation, and must develop a strategy to implement a standardized lunar time to support operations and infrastructure on and around the moon. NASA must also continue to conduct research relating to advanced air mobility, unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones), and hypersonic technologies. Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on fire and emergency services at NASA launch and reentry facilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Highway Formula Fairness Act, changes how the federal government distributes highway funding to states starting in fiscal year 2027. Instead of using current population or other metrics, the new formula bases each state's share on the amount of highway funding it received in 2012, relative to the total given to all states that year. The bill also includes a floor provision ensuring no state receives less than 95% of what its share would be based on its proportion of highway user tax payments to the federal Highway Trust Fund. These changes directly affect how billions of dollars in federal highway, safety, and infrastructure funds are allocated to state transportation departments.
Maddy summaryThis bill would require 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations that act as fiscal sponsors to accept legal liability for how the funds they manage are used. Under the proposed law, these organizations would be responsible for criminal and civil liability if the sponsored funds are used for activities such as aiding international terrorism, intimidating people exercising constitutional rights, or obstructing commerce. The bill defines fiscal sponsorship as a relationship where a nonprofit receives and controls funds for a project or group that does not have its own tax-exempt status. While the legislation establishes this presumption of responsibility, it allows organizations to avoid liability if they can prove they exercised due diligence and provided reasonable oversight.
Maddy summarySRES 613 is a Senate resolution (not a law) recognizing the Army-Navy football game as "America’s Game." It expresses the Senate’s view that the annual game between the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy - held since 1890 - should remain the only major college football game played on the second Saturday of December. The resolution urges broadcasters, athletic conferences, and universities to avoid scheduling competing games during this time slot to preserve the event’s national prominence and its role in honoring military service. It does not create new laws or funding but calls for federal agencies to review policies supporting the game’s civic significance. (Note: This is a symbolic resolution, not a bill with binding effects.)