Sen. Christopher A. Coons

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 86) expresses the Senate's official position on a longstanding diplomatic issue. It clarifies that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (1971), which determined China's UN seat representation, does not endorse China's "One China Principle" (claiming Taiwan is part of China) or address Taiwan's political status. The resolution reaffirms the U.S. "One China Policy" does not accept China's sovereignty claim over Taiwan and opposes China's misuse of Resolution 2758 to isolate Taiwan from international organizations like the WHO or UN agencies. It specifically supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in international forums and opposes China's coercion of other nations to sever ties with Taiwan. The resolution is non-binding but aims to correct factual misrepresentations used to limit Taiwan's global engagement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1501, the SAFE Act of 2025) amends the Animal Health Protection Act to require U.S. agencies to negotiate agreements with foreign governments about animal disease outbreaks that disrupt exports. It directly affects U.S. livestock and animal product exporters by aiming to reduce trade barriers caused by disease outbreaks. Key provisions mandate that the Secretary, working with trade and agriculture agencies, negotiate regionalization (geographic agreements), zoning, and facility-specific arrangements to maintain export access during disease events. The bill requires these negotiations to consider global scientific research but does not create new regulations or limit other trade negotiations.

Break Up Suspicious Transactions of Fentanyl Act or the BUST FENTANYL Act This bill revives a requirement for the President to identify foreign opioid traffickers and extends opioid trafficking sanctions to new categories of foreign persons (individuals and entities) whose actions support such trafficking.  Specifically, the bill revives through 2030 a requirement that the President annually submit a report to Congress identifying foreign opioid traffickers. (For those listed in the report, the President must select certain sanctions to impose on them, such as bans on loans, foreign exchange transactions, and property transactions.) The bill also specifies that such reports must prioritize the identification of Chinese nationals and entities involved in the shipment of fentanyl, fentanyl-related chemicals, and fentanyl manufacturing equipment to Mexico or any other country involved in the production of fentanyl trafficked to the United States. The bill extends such foreign opioid trafficker sanctions to additional categories of foreign persons, including those that have knowingly (1) engaged in significant activities or financial transactions that materially contributed to opioid trafficking; or (2) provided financial, material, or technological support for such activities or transactions. The bill also authorizes the President to impose these sanctions on foreign government entities, including government owned or controlled financial institutions, that are involved in activities that contribute to opioid trafficking. Additionally, the President may impose property-blocking sanctions on senior officials of these foreign government entities who knowingly facilitate such activities.

Maddy summaryThe MEGOBARI Act requires the U.S. Secretary of State to suspend the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until Georgia demonstrates progress toward democratic reforms and advancing its EU/NATO aspirations. It authorizes sanctions - including visa bans and property blocks - against Georgian officials (including parliament members and senior government leaders) who obstruct Euro-Atlantic integration or engage in corruption undermining Georgia’s sovereignty. The bill mandates a U.S. strategy for Georgia relations within 90 days and a report on Russian intelligence influence in Georgia within 180 days. These measures directly target Georgian government officials and political actors, with sanctions applying to those deemed to block democratic progress or Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic path.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of State to periodically review and update its guidelines governing U.S. relations with Taiwan. Specifically, it mandates that the Secretary of State conduct a comprehensive review of these guidelines at least once every five years and reissue them to federal agencies. The Department must also submit an updated report to Congress within 90 days of each review, detailing how the updated guidelines meet policy goals and identifying any self-imposed restrictions on Taiwan relations that were lifted. The bill directly affects the Department of State's internal procedures and its reporting obligations to Congress.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a national registry for Korean American families separated from relatives in North Korea after the 1953 Korean War Armistice. The State Department would collect names and details to facilitate future reunions (in-person or video) and maintain a database of family members, including those who may have passed away. It authorizes $1 million for this registry and requires the State Department to include family reunion progress in diplomatic talks with North Korea and annual reports to Congress. The registry aims to support reunification efforts by providing structured information for U.S. diplomatic engagement, without guaranteeing specific outcomes.

Maddy summarySRES 172 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating the week of April 11-17, 2025, as the eighth annual "Black Maternal Health Week," established by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. It aims to raise national awareness about the severe maternal health disparities affecting Black women and birthing people in the U.S., citing data showing Black women are 2-3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally recognizes systemic inequities, such as the 2023 maternal mortality rate of 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women, and emphasizes the need for culturally responsive care. It serves as a platform to amplify community-led efforts and policy solutions, like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, without implementing direct policy changes.

Maddy summarySRES 173 is a symbolic Senate resolution supporting World Malaria Day (observed April 25) and affirming U.S. leadership in global malaria efforts. It recognizes malaria's global impact (263 million cases, 597,000 deaths in 2023) and highlights U.S. contributions through the President’s Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund. The resolution urges continued U.S. leadership to reduce malaria cases by 90% by 2030, commends progress in countries like Rwanda and India, and emphasizes how fighting malaria aligns with U.S. interests in citizen safety, global stability, and economic prosperity.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of April 19-27, 2025, as "National Park Week" in the U.S. Senate. It encourages the public to responsibly visit, experience, and support national parks across the United States. The resolution highlights the National Park System’s role in preserving natural and cultural resources while acknowledging its economic impact and recreational value. It does not create new laws or alter funding, focusing solely on recognition and public engagement.

Maddy summaryThe FIGHT Act of 2025 amends the Animal Welfare Act to ban gambling on animal fighting events (including broadcasts), prohibit transporting roosters (defined as male chickens over 6 months old) for fighting, and make it illegal to sponsor, exhibit, or allow minors under 16 to attend such events. It allows citizens to file civil lawsuits to stop violations after 60 days' notice to authorities, with fines up to $5,000 per violation. The law also permits seizure of property used to facilitate violations, such as land or buildings. It does not override state or local laws on animal fighting unless there is a direct conflict.