Sen. Ted Budd

Maddy summaryThe United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2024 extends funding and operational authorization for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through fiscal year 2026. It amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to update annual appropriations from 2023-2024 to 2025-2026 and extends the Commission's legal authorization period until September 30, 2026. This reauthorization ensures USCIRF can continue its existing work of monitoring global religious freedom violations and providing policy recommendations to the U.S. government. The bill directly affects USCIRF by securing its continued operation and funding without changes to its core responsibilities.

Maddy summarySRES 888 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late James Ralph Sasser, a former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (served 1976-1993). It formally expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" over his death and requests the Secretary of the Senate transmit the resolution to his family. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or entities - it is solely a commemorative gesture. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 890) condemns Hamas for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people - including 40 U.S. citizens - and took hostages. It supports three specific outcomes: ensuring Israel's long-term security, preventing Hamas from regaining power in the region, and securing the safe return of U.S. hostages held in Gaza. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's position. The resolution was introduced by 45 Senators and passed unanimously on September 25, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal, state, and local governments from requiring handguns to include specific features not commonly found on standard firearms. It bans mandates for load indicators, magazine insertion mechanisms, microstamping capabilities, or any devices that could perform these functions. The law directly affects handgun manufacturers and government agencies that might seek to impose such requirements. It prevents new regulations on firearm design without creating new safety standards or altering existing gun laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to clarify and improve legal pathways for victims. It directly affects individuals exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (1953-1987) who developed health issues, including latent or potential harm. Key changes include lowering the proof standard to show a causal link between contamination and health harm (requiring it to be "at least as likely as not"), updating residency requirements to 30 days, and revising attorney fee limits to 20% for pre-litigation settlements and 25% for court judgments. The bill also specifies jurisdiction in North Carolina courts and allows case transfers within the fourth judicial circuit. These technical corrections aim to streamline claims processing for existing and future victims.

Maddy summaryThe Visa Integrity Preservation Act of 2024 (S 5291) requires in-person interviews with consular officers for certain non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S. who are deemed inadmissible under specific immigration grounds. It directly affects applicants for visas who are currently in the U.S. without legal status and face inadmissibility due to violations listed in Section 212(a)(6) or (9) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The key mechanism amends existing law to mandate these in-person interviews as part of the visa application process for this group. This change applies to consular officers processing visa applications for individuals meeting these criteria.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 2024 as "National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month" to highlight the needs of students with learning disabilities. It specifically calls on state and local education agencies to continue providing appropriate support through free public education, referencing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The resolution emphasizes that students with learning disabilities - impacting 34% of special education students - face significant academic challenges, with over 95% of 4th and 8th graders not proficient in reading or math. It aims to raise awareness about these challenges and promote evidence-based instructional approaches.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates ports, harbors, or marine terminals in Western Hemisphere countries with U.S. free trade agreements as "prohibited property" if a U.S. person's land there was seized, expropriated, or had contracts canceled by that country's government after January 2024. The Secretary of Homeland Security must identify these locations within 60 days, after which U.S. vessels are prohibited from importing goods, docking passenger vessels, or conducting maintenance at these sites. It directly affects U.S. businesses and shipping companies operating in covered countries (like USMCA nations) whose property was targeted. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on designations, vessel restrictions, and economic impacts of such actions by foreign governments.

Maddy summaryThe VETS Opportunity Act of 2024 modifies how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers education benefits for veterans. It requires independent study programs to include "regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors" to qualify for VA benefits, and clarifies that participating institutions must be accredited under federal student aid programs (Title IV of the Higher Education Act). This change directly affects veterans using VA education benefits for independent study courses, ensuring these programs meet specific educational standards. The policy applies to terms beginning August 1, 2024, or later.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 5124 (Protect our Presidents Act), requires the U.S. Secret Service to provide presidential and vice-presidential candidates with security protection equivalent to that given to the sitting president. It specifically covers major party candidates who have accepted nominations at national conventions, their spouses, and the president-elect or vice president-elect. The Secret Service must report to congressional committees every 15 days during election years - detailing threat levels, security costs, personnel assigned, and any unmet security needs for each candidate. Candidates may decline the enhanced protection if they choose. The bill focuses on standardizing security protocols for candidates during elections, not on altering existing protections for current officeholders.