Sen. Mitch McConnell

Maddy summaryThe White Oak Resilience Act of 2024 creates a federal program to restore white oak forests, which provide critical habitat for wildlife and support ecosystem health. It establishes a coalition of federal agencies, land-grant universities, and landowners to coordinate restoration efforts and make policy recommendations, while funding 5 pilot projects on national forests and federal lands for white oak regeneration. The bill also sets up a voluntary grant program to help private landowners improve white oak habitats, requires a strategy to address shortages in white oak tree seedling supply, and supports research to enhance white oak resilience to climate stressors like drought and pests.

Maddy summaryThis resolution authorizes former Senate employee Daniel Schwager to provide testimony in the criminal case *United States v. Kelley* (Case No. 22-408), which is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It specifically permits testimony on non-privileged matters related to his official Senate duties. The Senate Legal Counsel is also authorized to represent Schwager and other current or former Senate staff in connection with this testimony. The resolution aligns with Senate rules protecting its privileges and the Ethics in Government Act, ensuring Senate-held evidence is handled per judicial and procedural standards.

Maddy summarySRES 855 authorizes former Senate employee Daniel Schwager to provide testimony in the criminal case *United States v. Cudo* (Cr. No. 24-007), excluding matters protected by Senate privileges. It also directs the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Schwager and other current or former Senate employees regarding evidence related to this case. The resolution addresses a subpoena request without altering substantive law or creating new policy. This procedural action aligns with Senate rules governing the protection of official Senate records and testimony.

Maddy summarySRES 797 designates August 16, 2024, as National Airborne Day to honor the history and contributions of U.S. airborne forces, commemorating the first official U.S. Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940. The resolution calls on the American public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities recognizing airborne forces' legacy in military operations from World War II through modern conflicts. This is a symbolic, non-binding designation with no direct legal or financial impact on specific groups.

Maddy summarySRES 800 is a symbolic Senate resolution introduced on August 1, 2024, by a bipartisan group of senators. It condemns the July 13, 2024, attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally and honors three individuals affected: Corey D. Comperatore (who died shielding his family), David Dutch (critically injured), and James Copenhaver (critically injured). The resolution calls for national unity and civility following the violent incident. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's stance on the event.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that three individuals accused of involvement in the 9/11 attacks - Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa al Hawsawi - remain subject to trial under military law for the 9/11 attacks, regardless of any prior plea agreements. It makes the death penalty available in their trials and mandates they be held in solitary confinement at Guantanamo Bay under strict conditions: no contact with foreigners, limited medical care, and no transfer to the U.S. mainland or other countries. The bill directly affects only these three detainees by overriding previous legal barriers to their trial and imposing specific, restrictive detention requirements.

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 summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to Jens Stoltenberg, former Secretary General of NATO, recognizing his leadership during his nine-year tenure. It directs the Treasury to strike the medal and allows for the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. The medal honors Stoltenberg's role in strengthening NATO's defense spending, enlargement, and unity - particularly during Russia's invasion of Ukraine - though the bill itself creates no new policy or obligations. The award is purely ceremonial and affects only Stoltenberg as the recipient.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 97) seeks to block a Department of Labor rule finalized in April 2024 that redefined overtime exemptions for certain white-collar workers. The rule would have changed how employers classify executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees for overtime pay purposes. By invoking Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, this resolution aims to nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect. It directly affects employers and workers covered by the rule, but the resolution itself does not change existing labor standards - it only prevents the rule from being implemented.

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.