Sen. Eric Schmitt

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the mastodon fossil (genus *Mammut*) as the national fossil of the United States under Title 36 of the U.S. Code. It amends existing law to add "national fossil" to the list of official U.S. symbols, alongside the national anthem, motto, floral emblem, and other designations. The bill has no practical policy impact - it is purely ceremonial and affects no individuals or organizations. It requires no new funding, regulations, or enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill reclassifies firearm silencers under federal law, removing them from the strict National Firearms Act (NFA) registration requirements. It requires silencer owners to meet standard firearm registration rules instead of NFA-specific processes and blocks states from imposing taxes, registration, or recordkeeping for silencers. Directly affects gun owners, manufacturers, and retailers who use or sell silencers by simplifying federal compliance. The key change eliminates the need for separate NFA registration for silencers while maintaining federal oversight under standard firearm regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that support the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization's system of paying terrorists and their families, which the bill states incentivizes terrorism. Sanctions include blocking U.S. property, denying visas, and restricting financial transactions with officials, organizations (like the Commission of Prisoners), or financial institutions facilitating these payments. The President must act within 90 days of enactment, and sanctions remain in effect until the Secretary of State certifies the payments have ceased. The bill builds on the 2018 Taylor Force Act, which previously tied U.S. aid to ending such payments.

Maddy summaryThe SAFER at the Border Act prohibits the temporary admission of non-citizens identified as known terrorists, suspected terrorists, or special interest aliens (individuals with a potential terrorism link). It adds specific definitions for these categories to clarify who is affected and requires the Department of Homeland Security to deny temporary admission to such individuals. The bill also allows states to sue the government for financial harm exceeding $100 if they suffer losses due to the temporary admission of a prohibited person. This law directly changes border enforcement by restricting entry for high-risk individuals linked to terrorism.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses Congress's view that Operation Legend (a 2020 federal-local law enforcement initiative) successfully reduced violent crime in cities like Chicago, Kansas City, and Memphis. It cites claims of over 6,000 arrests, 2,600+ seized firearms, and a 6-month deployment of federal agents to 10 major cities during the 2020 crime surge. The resolution recommends future presidential administrations adopt similar policies, including deploying federal agents to high-crime cities and providing grant funding for local law enforcement to hire officers, impose stricter sentences for repeat offenders, and use bail reforms to keep dangerous individuals from re-entering communities. It does not create new law but urges consideration of this approach amid ongoing crime spikes in cities like Kansas City (185 homicides in 2023) and Chicago (11.5% violent crime rise).

Maddy summaryS 4727 (SOPRA) amends federal law to change how courts review agency actions. It requires federal courts to decide all legal questions about agency rules and interpretations "de novo" (from scratch), rather than giving deference to agency explanations. This directly affects courts, federal agencies, and individuals or groups challenging agency regulations in court. The key provision mandates that courts must re-examine all agency interpretations of statutes, rules, and guidance documents without relying on prior agency views. The bill does not alter agency powers but changes the judicial review process for legal challenges.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires lenders using the Uniform Residential Loan Application to add a specific disclaimer below the military service question: "If yes, you may qualify for a VA Home Loan. Consult your lender regarding eligibility." It directly affects military service members and veterans applying for home loans, aiming to increase awareness of VA loan eligibility. The bill mandates this change within six months of enactment and requires a GAO study within 18 months to assess whether at least 80% of lenders include the disclaimer on the form.

Maddy summarySRES 765 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma following his death on July 9, 2024. The resolution commemorates his 28-year Senate service (1994-2023) and 52 years in public office, highlighting his work on defense policy, aviation legislation, infrastructure projects, and support for military bases in Oklahoma. This procedural resolution expresses the Senate's condolences and formally recognizes his legacy, rather than enacting any policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe FORTIFY Act establishes a TRUST database to catalog Chinese entities involved in defense research and prohibits federal funding for fundamental research that would be conducted jointly with entities from countries of concern (like China) for military or security purposes. It requires research institutions to disclose foreign connections and imposes repayment requirements for grants if institutions fail to disclose foreign collaborations or compensation. The bill also creates new penalties for false statements in grant applications and enhances visa requirements for individuals seeking to acquire sensitive technologies. These provisions aim to protect U.S. research from potential security threats while maintaining transparency in research funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4658) allows private owners to keep certain sewer and septic systems in place at Table Rock Lake (in Missouri and Arkansas) without needing new approvals. It specifically covers systems that already have a right-of-way license from the Army Corps of Engineers, are located on land owned by the U.S. for the lake project, and don’t threaten dam safety or reservoir levels. The Army Corps must permit these systems to remain until the owner abandons them (stops maintaining), the system fails, or it’s replaced. The bill directly affects private property owners with these existing systems near the lake. It clarifies ongoing permission without creating new requirements or restrictions.