Sen. James E. Risch

Maddy summaryS 4513, the Preserving JROTC Programs Act of 2024, lowers the minimum student enrollment requirement for high school Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) units. It amends federal law to reduce the threshold from 100 students to 50 students for a unit to remain eligible. This change directly affects high schools with JROTC programs that previously had fewer than 100 enrolled students. The bill aims to help smaller schools maintain their JROTC programs by easing enrollment requirements.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 92) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that established new greenhouse gas emission standards for fossil fuel power plants and repealed an earlier rule. It targets the EPA's specific rule (published May 9, 2024), which set performance standards for new/modified plants, emission guidelines for existing plants, and removed the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. The resolution uses a procedural mechanism under the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the rule, meaning it would prevent the EPA rule from taking effect. If passed, the rule would have no legal force, directly affecting how power plants regulate emissions under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 93) seeks to block a specific rule proposed by the Department of Commerce. It targets the rule titled "Revision of Firearms License Requirements" (published April 30, 2024, in the Federal Register), which would have changed requirements for firearms licenses. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect by invoking a congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code. The resolution directly affects the implementation of the Commerce Department's proposed firearms licensing changes, not the licensing requirements themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 94) seeks to block a proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that would have changed regulations for the Unaccompanied Children Program. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2024, aimed to update how unaccompanied alien children are placed, cared for, and provided services. If approved, this resolution would prevent the rule from taking effect, keeping existing regulations in place. It directly affects the federal program that handles minors entering the U.S. without parents or guardians. The bill does not change the program's operations but stops the proposed regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act of 2019 by extending a waiver period. It removes a specific subsection (f) and changes the expiration date in another provision to January 1, 2031. The bill directly affects U.S. energy-related policies tied to Europe by delaying the end of a current waiver. It does not create new energy security measures but adjusts the timeline for an existing provision. The change is procedural, with no new substantive requirements added.

Maddy summaryS 4484, the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act," imposes U.S. sanctions on individuals or entities supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating or prosecuting "protected persons." It directly affects ICC officials, foreign nationals aiding ICC actions against U.S. citizens or officials from non-ICC ally nations (like Israel), and their immediate family members. Key provisions require the President to block property and deny visas to targeted individuals, while permanently rescinding all U.S. funding for the ICC. The bill defines "protected persons" as U.S. military personnel, government officials, and allied officials from nations not party to the ICC’s Rome Statute.

Maddy summaryS 4447, the "Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act," would require the FDA to prioritize review of applications for oral contraceptives intended for routine use (excluding emergency contraception or abortion-related drugs), potentially enabling over-the-counter access for adults 18 and older. It includes a fee waiver for these applications and maintains prescription requirements for individuals under 18. The bill also mandates a GAO study on federal funding for contraception across programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Title X over the past 15 years. These provisions aim to streamline approval for accessible birth control while clarifying funding patterns.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 91) seeks to block a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that set minimum staffing requirements for long-term care facilities (like nursing homes) and required transparency in Medicaid payments. If passed, it would cancel the rule (89 Fed. Reg. 40876), preventing it from taking effect under a specific congressional review process. The rule directly affects long-term care providers and Medicaid programs by imposing new staffing and reporting requirements. This resolution is procedural - it does not create new law but halts the implementation of the CMS rule.

Maddy summarySRES 722 is a Senate resolution expressing gratitude for the heroism of U.S. Armed Forces members who participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. It commemorates the 80th anniversary of this pivotal World War II operation, which helped end the war, and commends the leadership and bravery of those who fought. The resolution requests the President issue a proclamation encouraging public ceremonies to honor veterans' sacrifices and recognizes France's efforts to preserve Normandy's historical sites as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to publicly honor historical service and legacy.

Maddy summarySRES 385 is a non-binding Senate resolution calling for the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen and Wall Street Journal journalist wrongfully detained by Russia since March 2023. It urges the U.S. executive branch to press Russia for his release, demands consular access for him, and condemns Russia’s detention of journalists for political purposes. The resolution also specifically calls for the release of Paul Whelan, detained since 2018, and expresses support for other U.S. citizens wrongfully held in Russia. It does not create new legal requirements but formally expresses congressional concern.