Sen. Ted Budd

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 902) honoring the late Senator Timothy Peter Johnson of South Dakota, who died after a long career in public service. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and send a copy to his family, and calls for the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is purely a formal expression of respect for a former senator. The resolution commemorates his decades of service, including his time as Chairman of the Banking Committee and his return to work after a serious health setback.

Maddy summaryThe Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act amends federal disaster aid law to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation. This change adds "political affiliation" to the list of protected characteristics - alongside race, sex, religion, and economic status - in all disaster assistance programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act. It ensures individuals cannot be denied or delayed in receiving federal aid (such as FEMA assistance after natural disasters) due to their political views, party membership, or voting history. The bill applies directly to federal agencies administering disaster relief, requiring them to evaluate eligibility solely based on non-discriminatory factors.

Maddy summaryThe SBA Disaster Transparency Act (S 5357) requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to publish disaster assistance reports online. It amends existing law to mandate that the SBA post all required reports about disaster assistance on its public website, rather than only submitting them internally. This applies to reports on loan approvals, aid distribution, and other disaster-related assistance. The bill directly affects the SBA by changing how it shares information and makes the data accessible to the public without requiring new funding or altering disaster aid programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $810 million in supplemental funding for the Small Business Administration's Disaster Loans Program (under Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act) to assist small businesses recovering from disasters. It directly affects small businesses seeking low-interest disaster loans by increasing available funds for direct loans, with $10 million allocated for audits and $250 million for administrative costs (excluding indirect expenses). Key provisions require the SBA Inspector General to review past funding shortfalls and report findings within 181 days, and mandate the SBA Administrator to submit reports detailing improvements to forecasting and budgeting within 30 days and every 90 days until corrections are implemented. The funds are designated as an emergency requirement under federal budget law and remain available until expended.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $810 million in direct funding for the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program for fiscal year 2025, specifically to support small businesses affected by disasters. It allocates $10 million for Inspector General audits of the program and $250 million for administrative costs to manage the loan program, while prohibiting use of funds for indirect administrative expenses. The bill requires the SBA's Inspector General to review past funding shortfalls related to disaster loans and submit findings to Congress within 180 days, along with specific reports detailing how the SBA will improve forecasting and budget accuracy. These changes directly affect small businesses seeking disaster loans and the Small Business Administration's operational procedures.

Maddy summaryS 5303, the Stand with Israel Act, prohibits U.S. federal funds from being used to support the United Nations or its entities if those entities restrict Israel's full participation as a member state. Specifically, it blocks funding for UN contributions when the UN expels, downgrades, or suspends Israel's membership or limits its ability to engage equally with other member states. This bill directly affects how U.S. taxpayer money is allocated to the UN, requiring the Department of State and other agencies to withhold funds under these circumstances. The law amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to enforce this restriction.

Maddy summaryThe Workforce Development Modernization Act (S 4526) updates federal workforce development rules to allow states to operate both physical and virtual one-stop career centers, including shared centers across neighboring areas. It requires states with physical centers to colocate employment service offices at those centers and permits centers to be located at public colleges. The bill defines "virtual centers" as technology (like terminals) providing access to job training and employment services. This directly affects state workforce agencies and local centers that serve job seekers and employers seeking job placement and training.

Maddy summaryThe Building Chips in America Act of 2023 (S. 2228) amends federal law to streamline environmental reviews for semiconductor manufacturing projects receiving federal financial assistance. It clarifies that certain projects won't be considered "major Federal actions" under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) if they meet specific criteria: the project must have begun by December 31, 2024; federal assistance must be in loan/guarantee form; or non-loan assistance must be 10% or less of total project costs. The bill establishes categorical exclusions for environmental reviews related to semiconductor projects and designates the Department of Commerce as lead agency for these reviews. This primarily affects semiconductor manufacturers receiving federal funding under the CHIPS Act, reducing regulatory barriers for facility construction and expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director to submit an annual budget estimate for Alzheimer's research initiatives to the President for transmission to Congress, starting in fiscal year 2024. It specifically mandates including estimates of personnel needs alongside funding projections, based on recommendations from the National Alzheimer's Project Act. The law directly affects NIH operations by establishing a formal, recurring reporting requirement for Alzheimer's-related funding. This is not a new funding measure but a procedural change to improve transparency and accountability in budget planning for these initiatives. The bill amends Section 2 of the National Alzheimer's Project Act to add this annual reporting obligation.

Maddy summaryThe NAPA Reauthorization Act (S 133) extends the National Alzheimer’s Project through 2035, replacing previous 2025 deadlines. It requires annual progress evaluations on research, risk reduction, and health equity, with new provisions to promote healthy aging, address Alzheimer’s risk factors, and expand focus to underserved groups - including people with Down syndrome and historically high-risk populations. The bill mandates updated advisory committee membership, including individuals with Alzheimer’s diagnoses and representatives from underserved communities. These changes directly affect federal health agencies, researchers, and healthcare planning efforts focused on Alzheimer’s prevention and care.