Maddy summaryThe Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 mandates that all children enrolled in participating schools receive free breakfast and free lunch, eliminating previous income-based eligibility requirements. The bill establishes specific funding rates for these meals, adjusts them annually for inflation, and requires states to disburse funds directly to selected schools. Additionally, the legislation prohibits schools from collecting unpaid meal debts from parents and forbids practices like segregating students or publicly identifying those who cannot pay. The act also expands summer food programs to include all children, updates poverty measurement standards for federal data, and extends free lunch eligibility to incarcerated juveniles in eligible detention centers.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to disapprove a rule from the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection that would have withdrawn a previous regulation on deceptive marketing practices related to remittance transfers. The bill directly affects financial institutions and consumers who send money internationally, aiming to keep the original marketing standards in place. If passed, the resolution would prevent the Bureau from removing the existing rules that prohibit misleading claims about the speed or cost of sending remittances. The measure uses the Congressional Review Act process to formally reject the agency's action and ensure the withdrawn rule remains inactive.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2026, as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The bill calls on the public and organizations to commemorate the victims and show solidarity with their families. It also recommends that the Department of Justice commission a new study to update statistics on the crisis, noting that the previous data is over a decade old.
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.
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on December 1, 2026. The act requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register. The VA is authorized to make a similar adjustment to the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for service-connected disability or death.
Maddy summaryThe GUARD Act requires companies providing AI chatbots to verify users' ages using reliable methods (like government IDs, not just self-reported birth dates) and prohibits minors under 18 from accessing "AI companions" designed for emotional interaction. It mandates clear disclosures that chatbots are not human and cannot falsely claim to be licensed professionals (e.g., therapists), while banning features that solicit minors for explicit content or promote violence. Covered entities must implement secure age verification processes for all accounts, including periodic checks, and face civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation for noncompliance. The law directly affects tech companies operating AI chatbots in the U.S. and aims to reduce minors' exposure to harmful AI interactions.
Maddy summaryThe Federal Worker Credit Protection Act of 2026 prevents credit reporting agencies from including unpaid federal employee debts in credit reports during government shutdowns. It defines a shutdown period as any time when federal funding lapses for more than 24 hours and lasts up to 30 days after funding resumes. During this time, agencies must remove these specific debt items from reports upon request and cannot share them with anyone. The bill also requires the Office of Management and Budget to notify credit agencies when a shutdown begins and ends. These rules apply to federal employees and D.C. workers whose agencies are affected by funding lapses starting on or after February 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as National Small Business Week to honor the contributions of small business owners and entrepreneurs across the United States. The measure expresses appreciation for the economic role these businesses play and acknowledges the resilience of their owners and employees. By adopting this designation, the Senate aims to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit within every community without imposing any new laws or regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act, directs federal agencies to ignore three specific final rules issued by the Department of State. It explicitly prohibits any government department from implementing, enforcing, or creating new policies similar to these existing rules, effectively treating them as if they never existed. The targeted regulations concern protecting life, combating discriminatory equity ideology, and addressing gender ideology within foreign aid programs. By nullifying these rules, the legislation removes the current administrative requirements related to these topics from U.S. foreign assistance activities.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of Novel Therapeutics within the Veterans Health Administration to prepare for the implementation of emerging mental health treatments, such as psychedelic-assisted therapies, that are currently under FDA review. The office will develop national clinical standards, create training programs for staff, and designate specific medical centers as centers of excellence to lead research and implementation efforts. It also requires the VA to submit an annual report to Congress on research activities, clinical outcomes, and workforce readiness, while coordinating with other federal agencies on regulatory and reimbursement issues. The legislation focuses on ensuring patient safety, maintaining evidence-based practices, and providing integrated care for veterans with conditions like PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders.