Sen. James E. Risch

Maddy summaryS 993, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, makes the illicit distribution and use of xylazine illegal under federal drug laws. The bill defines xylazine broadly (including multiple chemical variants) and prohibits all human use or non-lici distribution, while allowing only veterinary and pharmaceutical uses approved under existing regulations. It requires the DEA and FDA to report to Congress within a year on xylazine's spread and impacts, with a follow-up report four years later. This directly affects drug traffickers and distributors adding xylazine to illicit drugs like fentanyl, aiming to address a public health threat linked to severe health consequences including necrosis.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 32) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) on May 31, 2023. The rule, published as Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), addressed how lenders must evaluate small business loan applications to prevent discrimination. If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect, meaning lenders would not be required to follow these specific small business lending provisions. The bill directly affects the CFPB's regulatory authority and financial institutions that process small business loans under ECOA.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires a comprehensive audit of the Federal Reserve Board and its regional banks within one year of enactment, conducted by the nonpartisan government auditor (Comptroller General). The audit findings and recommendations must be reported to Congress within 90 days, with the report shared widely among congressional leadership and members. It repeals a previous legal limitation that restricted such audits and updates related provisions in federal law to clarify what activities are subject to oversight. The law directly affects the Federal Reserve System by mandating greater financial transparency and accountability for its operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill corrects a technical error in the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023. It authorizes $5,124,902.12 to be deposited into a Development Fund, adjusted for inflation since January 2016 using the Consumer Price Index. The funds directly support the tribe's water rights settlement, ensuring payments reflect current economic conditions. This is a procedural adjustment to the existing settlement law, not a new policy.

Maddy summarySCONRES 24 is a non-binding congressional resolution condemning the Sudan conflict since April 2023, calling for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access. It directs the U.S. President to appoint a Special Envoy for Sudan and urges the State Department to review sanctions, monitor arms sales, and coordinate with allies on accountability measures. The resolution also asks international partners to impose targeted sanctions on military leaders, suspend Sudan’s UN participation until a civilian government is formed, and support humanitarian aid. As a symbolic resolution, it expresses congressional support for peace but does not create new legal obligations.

Maddy summarySRES 511 is a U.S. Senate resolution urging Senegal's government to hold free, fair, and transparent presidential elections on February 25, 2024. It directs the U.S. Secretary of State to impose consequences like visa restrictions on those undermining elections and asks USAID to support election observation, voter education, and democratic governance. The resolution specifically calls on Senegal to release arbitrarily detained protesters, respect the independent electoral commission, lift internet/social media restrictions during protests, and ensure safe voting conditions. This resolution directly addresses Senegal's government and U.S. agencies, emphasizing democratic norms without altering Senegalese law.

Maddy summaryS 3515, the MAILS Act, requires the U.S. Postal Service to create a formal process for local governments to request new post offices within 90 days of enactment. It restricts temporary post office relocations (like for holidays) to no more than two days without community input, mandates 30-day written notice to local officials before such relocations, and requires public notice and presentations 15 days in advance. The Postal Service must also provide periodic updates to local officials every 60 days during relocations and submit detailed reports to Congress for relocations exceeding 180 days, explaining compliance with communication rules and reasons for extensions. This bill directly affects communities with post offices and local government officials seeking to influence postal service operations.

Maddy summaryS 3529, the ATF Accountability Act of 2023, establishes a formal appeals process for gun industry businesses (manufacturers, importers, and dealers) who receive rulings or stop-work orders from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It requires the ATF to issue written rulings on regulatory questions within 90 days and allows licensees to appeal those rulings within 30 days by requesting a review from an ATF Director of Industry Operations. If a hearing is requested, an administrative law judge must schedule it within 14 days and issue a final decision within a reasonable timeframe, with the outcome binding on both the ATF and the licensee. This bill directly affects gun industry licensees by creating clearer, time-bound procedures for challenging ATF decisions.

Maddy summarySRES 500 is a Senate resolution designating November 8, 2023, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day." It recognizes first-generation college students - those whose parents did not earn a bachelor's degree - and commemorates the anniversary of the 1965 Higher Education Act, which established key support programs like Federal TRIO and Pell Grants. The resolution urges all Americans to celebrate this day, acknowledge the contributions of first-gen students to the future workforce, and honor the Higher Education Act's role in expanding access to higher education. This is a symbolic designation with no new funding or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal committee to study how to improve the transmission of accurate location information for calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, particularly affecting people in rural or small communities who may struggle to get emergency responders to their exact location. The committee, composed of representatives from telecom companies, crisis centers, public safety agencies, and state/local governments, will examine privacy concerns, technical standards for sending location data, and potential costs for service providers. It must submit a report within one year with recommendations for potential future legislation to address these location challenges. The bill itself does not change current law but sets up a study to inform future policy.