Sen. James E. Risch

Maddy summarySRES 97 is a Senate resolution expressing concern about Mexico's economic policies and security challenges, while reaffirming U.S. interests in strengthening bilateral relations. It specifically highlights issues like restrictions on U.S. agricultural exports, energy sector disruptions, and Mexico's deteriorating security environment - including cartel violence, fentanyl trafficking, and weak border management. The resolution calls on the U.S. President to defend American economic interests, address border security, and partner with Mexico to combat transnational crime and drug trafficking. It also urges Mexico to uphold regulatory independence, protect U.S. investments under USMCA, and reduce foreign influence from China and Russia. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally states congressional priorities for U.S.-Mexico cooperation.

Maddy summaryS 697, the "Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act," amends federal law to allow Indian tribes and counties to retain and use revenue from timber sales under "good neighbor agreements" for forest restoration projects. Specifically, it modifies Section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 to explicitly include tribes and counties alongside governors as entities that can keep funds from timber sales to fund restoration services under these agreements. The bill requires that funds first cover restoration under the current agreement, with any remaining funds usable for other agreements. This directly affects tribes and counties participating in federal forest management agreements, changing how they access and use revenue from timber sales. The changes apply to projects initiated after the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act.

Maddy summaryS 716, the "Solving the Border Crisis Act," directs the immediate resumption of border wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border, requiring completion by September 30, 2024, using existing funds. It mandates minimum staffing levels for border operations, including 10,000 full-time employees in enforcement, 25,000 Border Patrol agents, and 25,000 CBP officers. The bill also requires mandatory detention funding through DHS fees, terminates pandemic-related border entry suspensions after a 120-day window, and modifies asylum processing to prioritize returning aliens to Mexico or detaining them for credible fear assessments. These provisions directly affect border security operations, immigration enforcement, and the processing of individuals arriving at the southern border.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to create a specific exemption for child labor in mechanized logging operations. It defines "logging operation" to exclude manual chainsaw work and cable skidders, while including mechanized processes like using feller-bunchers or forwarders. The exemption allows 16- or 17-year-olds to work in these mechanized roles only when employed by their parent or a person standing in the parent's place in a logging operation owned by that parent. It does not change general child labor rules but removes restrictions for this defined category of logging work. The bill directly affects minor workers in parental logging businesses using mechanized equipment.

Maddy summarySRES 92 is a 2023 Senate resolution expressing concern about illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing in Latin America and the Caribbean. It specifically links IUU fishing to threats against security, biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods, while highlighting its connection to human trafficking and forced labor - citing that approximately 128,000 fishers globally face forced labor conditions tied to such activities. The resolution calls for stronger regional cooperation, inclusion of labor rights in IUU fishing definitions, and measures like trade agreement provisions and sanctions against entities involved in IUU fishing, particularly targeting Chinese distant-water fishing fleets. It does not create new laws but urges U.S. agencies and partner governments to take concrete steps to address IUU fishing and its associated crimes.

Maddy summarySRES 57 is a Senate resolution honoring David Ferdinand Durenberger, a former U.S. Senator from Minnesota (served 1978-1989). It commemorates his life and career, highlighting his role as the lead Republican sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act and his work protecting Minnesota's natural resources like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The resolution directs the Senate to formally recognize his passing and transmit a copy to his family. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents.

Maddy summaryThe ATF Transparency Act requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to provide applicants with background check transaction numbers when firearm transfer applications are denied, allow appeals of denials (with attorney fee reimbursement for successful cases), and automatically approve applications if decisions aren’t made within 90 days. It directly affects firearm buyers and manufacturers whose applications face delays or denials under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The bill also mandates reports on unresolved background checks and improvements to NICS processing, including a joint agreement between the ATF and FBI. These changes aim to reduce processing delays and errors in firearm transfer approvals.

Maddy summaryThe Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act would bar federal funding under the Title X program (which supports family planning services like contraception and STD testing) from going to any health care provider that performs or funds abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when a physician certifies an abortion is necessary to prevent death or serious health harm. It requires clinics receiving Title X funds to certify they do not perform or fund abortions (with these exceptions), while hospitals are exempt from this certification if they do not fund non-hospital abortion providers. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress detailing funded clinics, the number of abortions performed under exceptions, and any funds transferred to other entities. This policy would directly affect Title X-funded clinics that provide abortion services or fund such services, potentially limiting their access to federal funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federally funded schools and athletic programs from allowing individuals assigned male at birth to participate in women's or girls' sports teams. It defines "sex" for this purpose solely based on biological sex assigned at birth, including reproductive anatomy and genetics. The law amends Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to make such participation a violation of federal civil rights law. It directly affects all schools, colleges, and organizations receiving federal funds that operate athletic programs for women or girls.

Maddy summaryThis resolution establishes a procedural requirement for the U.S. Senate to review international pandemic agreements negotiated under the World Health Organization (WHO). It mandates that any WHO agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness, or response - where the U.S. would make significant commitments - must be submitted to the Senate as a treaty requiring approval before implementation. The resolution requires the President to submit such agreements to the Senate within 60 days of signing, with the Senate declaring it "not in order" to fund or implement any such agreement without prior Senate ratification. This affects how the executive branch handles WHO pandemic agreements, ensuring Senate consultation and approval aligns with constitutional treaty procedures.