Maddy summarySJRES 79 is a joint resolution that would block a Department of Labor rule published in April 2024. The rule would have required financial advisors to act in the best interest of retirement account holders when providing investment advice, expanding the scope of who must meet this standard. If passed, the resolution would prevent the rule from taking effect by invoking a congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code. This directly affects retirement advisors and the standards they must follow when giving retirement investment guidance.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 83) seeks to block a rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that redefined who qualifies as a "dealer in firearms" under federal law. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 19, 2024, would have changed how the ATF identifies and regulates firearm sellers. If passed, the resolution would make the rule invalid, preventing it from taking effect and leaving current dealer regulations unchanged. This directly affects firearm dealers (particularly small businesses and hobbyists) and the ATF’s enforcement authority under existing law.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the temporary waiver allowing hospitals to provide acute inpatient-level care at home through 2029, instead of ending in 2024. It directly affects hospitals participating in the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative and the patients receiving care through this program. Key provisions require the Secretary to conduct two studies (by 2024 and 2028) comparing care quality, outcomes, costs, and service use between patients entering the program directly from an emergency department versus those transitioning from an existing inpatient hospital stay. The bill mandates reporting on these studies to inform future policy decisions.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 682) condemns the Biden Administration's decision to pause specific weapons shipments to Israel, including 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, as reported on May 7, 2024. It demands the administration immediately resume military aid to Israel to support its defense against threats from Hamas and Iran. The resolution reaffirms the U.S. historical commitment to providing military assistance to Israel, citing over $158 billion in aid since World War II. As a symbolic Senate resolution, it does not change policy but formally opposes the pause in weapons transfers.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Atomic Energy Act to streamline nuclear licensing processes. It allows the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue construction permits, operating licenses, or routine amendments *without* a hearing if it provides 30 days' notice in the Federal Register, unless someone affected requests a hearing. The key change replaces mandatory hearings for routine applications with a simplified notice-and-comment process, while keeping hearings available for those who request them. This directly affects nuclear facility developers (like power plant companies) and communities that might have sought hearings under previous rules. The NRC can now skip hearings for non-controversial cases, speeding up approvals for nuclear projects.
Maddy summaryThe SAVE Act requires voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It defines acceptable proof as documents like U.S. passports, birth certificates, military IDs, or government-issued IDs showing U.S. birth. States must verify citizenship through these documents or use government databases like the Department of Homeland Security's SAVE system. The bill establishes processes for voters without required documentation to submit affidavits under penalty of perjury. It aims to ensure only U.S. citizens can register to vote in federal elections.
Maddy summaryThis bill would establish the United States Foundation for International Conservation, a non-governmental organization that would fund long-term conservation projects in eligible countries. The Foundation would accept private sector and government donations to support the management of protected areas, requiring projects to have local community support, cost-matching from non-US sources, and adherence to environmental and social safeguards. Eligible countries must be low-income or middle-income economies with high biodiversity, and projects must provide at least 10 years of stable funding for effective conservation management. The Foundation would operate for 10 years with $100 million authorized annually from 2024-2033, and could not fund projects in countries that support terrorism or violate human rights.
Maddy summarySRES 673 is a commemorative Senate resolution honoring the late David Hampton Pryor, who served as a U.S. Senator for Arkansas from 1978 to 1997. The resolution expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" at his death and directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and deliver a copy to his family. It does not create new laws or policies - it is purely ceremonial, recognizing Pryor’s career as a legislator, governor, and public servant. The resolution concludes with the Senate adjourning as a mark of respect for his legacy.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 668) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring the late Senator Daniel Robert "Bob" Graham of Florida, who died on November 9, 2023. It formally expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death and directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House of Representatives and deliver a copy to his family. The resolution commemorates Graham's career as a Florida senator (1987-2005), governor (1979-1987), and his work on the 9/11 intelligence inquiry, but does not create any new laws or affect constituents. As a commemorative resolution, it serves solely to memorialize his service.
Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate resolution (SRES 669), not a law. It designates October 10, 2024, as "American Girls in Sports Day" to recognize the impact of women in sports and support for Title IX protections. The resolution calls on sports organizations to protect biological women and girls in competition, referencing claims about biological differences and displacement in championships. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect and does not change existing policies or laws.