Sen. James E. Risch

Maddy summarySRES 699 is a ceremonial Senate resolution congratulating students, parents, teachers, and leaders of U.S. charter schools for their contributions to education during the 25th Annual National Charter Schools Week (May 12-18, 2024). It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it symbolically recognizes charter schools’ role in providing public education options and improving student outcomes, as noted in the resolution’s background statements. The resolution directly addresses the charter school community and encourages public celebration of National Charter Schools Week. It is a non-binding expression of support, not a legislative action affecting any specific group or policy.

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.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 80) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on April 5, 2024. The rule established regulations under the Endangered Species Act concerning protections for endangered and threatened wildlife. If approved, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect and reversing the regulatory changes it proposed. The resolution directly affects how federal protections are applied to listed species under the Endangered Species Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 81) seeks congressional disapproval of a National Marine Fisheries Service rule that updated regulations for interagency cooperation on protecting endangered and threatened wildlife. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2024, aimed to streamline how federal agencies work together on species conservation efforts. By passing this resolution, Congress would block the rule from taking effect under the procedural process outlined in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. The direct effect is preventing the National Marine Fisheries Service from implementing these specific regulatory changes for endangered species protection.

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 joint resolution (SJRES 84) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on April 5, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 24300). It targets the FWS rule concerning the listing of endangered/threatened species and designation of critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. The resolution, if passed, would nullify that particular rule, preventing it from taking effect. This is a procedural measure under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, not a new law altering species protections.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 85) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2024, aimed to update protections for endangered and threatened species and designate critical habitats under the Endangered Species Act. Congress is using a statutory process (under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove this rule, which would prevent it from taking effect. If approved, the rule would no longer have legal force, directly affecting how federal agencies manage species conservation programs.

Maddy summarySRES 687 is a non-binding Senate resolution clarifying that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (1971) only addressed which government represented China at the UN, not Taiwan's sovereignty. It explicitly states the U.S. "One China Policy" does not accept China's "One China Principle" (which claims Taiwan as part of China) and rejects China's misuse of Resolution 2758 to pressure other nations into severing ties with Taiwan. The resolution opposes China's efforts to isolate Taiwan internationally by falsely conflating the UN resolution with its territorial claims. It reaffirms U.S. support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations where statehood is not required and urges partners to counter China's misleading narratives. This resolution does not alter U.S. policy but formally distinguishes between the UN resolution and China's political stance.

Maddy summarySRES 690 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating May 15, 2024, as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day." It aims to raise public awareness about scams targeting seniors (ages 65+), such as Social Security impersonation, Medicare fraud, and tech support scams, which cost seniors an estimated $2 billion annually. The resolution encourages existing efforts to prevent these scams and improve protections but does not create new laws or funding. It highlights that seniors report significant financial losses (e.g., $1,450 median loss for those 80+) and emphasizes collaboration between law enforcement, area agencies on aging, and financial institutions to address the issue.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 692) designates May 7, 2024, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day to raise public attention about the dangers of counterfeit fentanyl pills. It highlights alarming statistics, including that illicit fentanyl was involved in 81% of drug-induced deaths among youth aged 14-23 in 2023 and that only 36% of teens were aware of fentanyl in fake pills. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but urges increased awareness and supports law enforcement efforts against counterfeit pills. It directly aims to educate families and young people about the risks of fake pills marketed as legitimate medications.