Sen. Rand Paul

Maddy summaryS 60, the Write the Laws Act, would require Congress to write all federal laws directly instead of delegating rulemaking authority to agencies. It prohibits Congress from delegating legislative power to the executive branch, courts, or any agency, declaring such delegations invalid. This would affect all federal agencies (like the EPA or FCC) that currently create regulations under congressional authority. The bill mandates that all agency rules must be based on specific statutes passed by Congress, not on delegated authority.

Maddy summarySOPRA (S 33) changes how federal courts review agency actions by requiring judges to re-examine all legal interpretations made by agencies - including rules, guidance documents, and policy statements - without giving agencies special deference. This applies to all judicial reviews of agency decisions under existing law, meaning courts must decide legal questions "de novo" (from scratch) rather than accepting agency interpretations. The bill directly affects federal courts, government agencies, and anyone challenging agency actions, such as businesses or advocacy groups. It also ensures no existing law can exempt cases from this rule unless specifically named in the law itself.

Maddy summarySJRES 1 proposes a constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms: it would bar Representatives from serving more than three terms (including time filling vacancies lasting over a year) and Senators from serving more than two terms (including time filling vacancies lasting over three years). The amendment would only apply to future elections, not current members or terms served before ratification. It directly affects candidates seeking election to the House or Senate after the amendment is approved by states. The key provision sets a clear term cap for each chamber, with specific rules for handling vacancies to prevent circumventing the limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States by repealing the current rule that requires switching back to standard time in the fall. It directly affects all states and territories, though it preserves exemptions for areas like Arizona and Hawaii that currently skip daylight saving time. Key provisions include adjusting time zone calculations in historical laws (e.g., changing "4 hours" to "3 hours" in time zone references) and allowing states that already opted out of daylight saving time to maintain their preferred standard time. The bill does not create new policies but changes the legal framework to end seasonal time changes.

Maddy summaryThe REPUBLIC Act (S 4373) requires congressional approval for the President to declare and maintain national emergencies, limiting initial emergencies to 30 days (with 90-day renewal periods) and setting a 5-year maximum duration. It mandates that the President specify which laws will be used during emergencies, provide detailed reports to Congress about emergency circumstances and actions taken, and submit presidential emergency action documents to Congress within 3 days of creation. The bill also restricts certain emergency powers, such as prohibiting the use of economic sanctions against U.S. persons and requiring congressional approval for Insurrection Act authorities. This legislation directly affects the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches during national emergencies by strengthening congressional oversight.

Maddy summaryThe FDA Modernization Act 3.0 requires the FDA to issue a final rule within 180 days of enactment to implement regulations for nonclinical testing methods used in drug development. This affects pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs by establishing standardized requirements for preclinical safety testing before human trials. The bill also makes a technical amendment to renumber a subsection related to clinical trial diversity plans, clarifying existing provisions without changing their substance. The key change is the FDA's obligation to finalize these testing regulations, aiming to modernize the drug approval process.

Maddy summaryThe FAIR Act of 2024 (S 5512) fundamentally changes civil forfeiture by requiring all property seizures to go through judicial process rather than allowing government agencies to seize property without court involvement. It raises the government's burden of proof from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence" to establish a property connection to criminal activity. The bill establishes new timelines for notifying property owners and requires courts to consider factors like hardship to property owners when making forfeiture decisions. These changes directly affect individuals whose property is seized by federal agencies in connection with alleged criminal activity.

Maddy summarySRES 925 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Fred R. Harris of Oklahoma, who died on November 23, 2024, at age 94. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that his family be notified, and directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a formal expression of respect for a former senator’s legacy.

Maddy summaryThe SCHOOL Act of 2024 (S 5458) redirects federal education funding to follow students regardless of whether they attend public, private, or home schools. It requires states to allocate Title I-VI funds from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and IDEA funds to students directly - through education savings accounts for private/home school students - based on enrollment, rather than to school districts. Funds can cover tuition, materials, tutoring, therapies for students with disabilities, and other educational expenses. The bill mandates annual parental notification of school choice and explicitly prohibits federal control over private schools or supplanting existing local education funding. It affects all students aged 5-17 in public, private, or home schools across participating states.

Maddy summaryThe Risky Research Review Act establishes a new Life Sciences Research Security Board to review Federal funding for certain high-risk life sciences research before it's approved. The Board, composed of 9 appointed members including scientists and national security experts, will determine whether agencies can fund research that could pose threats to public health, safety, or national security. Entities seeking funding must attest whether their research qualifies as "high-risk" and disclose work with select agents or toxins, with the Board having 120 days to review high-risk proposals and set minimum biosafety and biosecurity requirements. The bill authorizes $30 million annually for the Board's operations from the Department of Homeland Security. This review process will apply to research involving potential pandemic pathogens, gain of function research, or dual-use applications with significant potential for misuse.