Sen. Tom Cotton

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state and federal correctional facilities (like jails and prisons) to operate cellphone jamming systems to block wireless signals used for contraband devices or by incarcerated individuals. It restricts the FCC from preventing this use, but requires jamming systems to be limited to housing areas within the facility. Facilities must fund the systems entirely themselves (if state-run), consult local law enforcement before implementation, and notify the Bureau of Prisons about operations. The law specifically targets blocking signals to/from contraband devices or inmates, not general cellphone use.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities receiving federal student aid to comply with U.S. immigration law regarding employment of unauthorized workers. Specifically, it mandates that institutions participate in the E-Verify program (which checks employment eligibility) and prohibits them from receiving federal funds if they violate immigration employment rules. The Department of Homeland Security will monitor E-Verify participation every six months and notify the Education Department if an institution fails to comply. This directly affects any accredited college or university seeking federal student aid or institutional grants under the Higher Education Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. government spending in Gaza territory until the President certifies to Congress that funds won't benefit Hamas, designated terrorist groups, or entities controlled by them. It also blocks U.S. funds channeled through United Nations entities in Gaza unless the President certifies those entities aren't promoting anti-Israel or anti-Semitic content. The certification requirements apply to all federal funding, including aid delivered via international organizations. This directly affects U.S. foreign aid programs operating in Gaza by imposing new conditions before funds can be used.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1099) would restrict federal district courts from issuing nationwide injunctions that block laws across the entire country. It requires any court order providing injunctive relief to apply only to the specific parties in the case or within the court’s local judicial district. The law directly affects federal courts, plaintiffs seeking injunctions, and government agencies enforcing laws nationwide. This change would prevent courts from halting federal policies for all states or citizens, limiting injunctions to more localized scope.

Maddy summarySRES 72 is a non-binding Senate resolution affirming that Hamas must not retain political or military control in the Gaza Strip. It calls on the President to use economic and diplomatic measures to halt all funding for Hamas from Iran and other sources, while supporting Israel's defense against Hamas and Iranian proxies. The resolution cites Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, its designation as a foreign terrorist organization, and Iran's annual support to Hamas as context for its stance. It does not create new laws but expresses congressional position on Gaza governance and counterterrorism efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses. It adds "qualified military spouse" as a new category eligible for the credit, meaning employers who hire spouses of active-duty service members can claim the tax benefit. To qualify, a spouse must be certified by a local agency as married to an Armed Forces member at the time of hire. The change applies to hires occurring after the law's effective date, directly affecting military spouses seeking employment and employers who hire them.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Major Richard Star Act (S 1032), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both their military retired pay and Veterans Affairs disability compensation simultaneously. It amends U.S. Code sections to remove the automatic reduction in retired pay that previously forced these veterans to choose between the two payments. The key change ensures veterans with combat-related disabilities qualify for full retired pay without offset against their VA disability benefits, effective for payments starting after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects veterans receiving military retired pay under Chapter 61 who also qualify for VA disability compensation for combat-related injuries.

This joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales and issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on December 30, 2024. The rule generally requires persons effectuating decentralized financial (DeFi) transactions to report certain information regarding digital asset sales to the IRS.

Maddy summaryS 929, the GATE Act of 2025, prohibits U.S. national laboratories from admitting or granting access to foreign nationals from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or Cuba for more than 30 days. The bill directly affects these foreign nationals seeking to access laboratory facilities, information, or technology, with exceptions for permanent residents or U.S. citizens. Key provisions require national laboratories to block such access immediately upon the bill's enactment, though the Energy Secretary may grant waivers if they certify national security benefits outweigh risks, with mandatory congressional notification within 30 days. The law aims to limit potential technology transfers to countries deemed security risks under U.S. policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a 6% annual tax on the total value of endowments exceeding $11.9 billion for most private universities (or $10.5 billion for state-operated colleges), effective for 2025 taxable years. It directly affects large non-religious private universities meeting these asset thresholds, excluding religious institutions and assets used for their core educational purposes. The tax applies to the end-of-year value of endowment assets not directly supporting the institution's exempt educational mission. This is a direct tax change with no mention of funding allocation or policy outcomes in the bill text.