Sen. Mike Rounds

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clean Air Act to require renewable fuel components in fuel for ocean-going vessels, alongside existing requirements for home heating oil and jet fuel. It directly affects shipping companies operating ocean vessels by mandating renewable fuel content starting in the second calendar year after enactment. The key mechanism updates the definition in the Clean Air Act to explicitly include "fuel for ocean-going vessels" in the renewable fuel requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency must issue implementing regulations within one year of the bill's enactment and submit a report to Congress one year after those regulations are finalized.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Bank Holding Company Act to require a minimum 15-year holding period for merchant banking investments. Banks would need to hold these investments - where they make equity stakes in non-financial companies - for at least 15 years before selling, applying to both new investments and existing ones held on the bill's enactment date. The change directly affects banks engaged in merchant banking activities by altering the regulatory timeframe for holding such investments. It modifies specific provisions of the Bank Holding Company Act without creating new programs or altering eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pathway for Afghan allies who supported U.S. operations in Afghanistan to obtain conditional permanent resident status in the United States. It defines "Afghan allies" as individuals who served in Afghan security forces or provided direct support to U.S. missions during the period from 2001-2021. The bill establishes a process for reviewing applications, conducting security assessments, and referring eligible individuals to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, with conditional permanent resident status that can be converted to full permanent residency after 4 years if certain conditions are met.

Maddy summaryThe MEDIC Careers Act of 2025 aims to improve the transition of military medics (Armed Forces clinical health care personnel) into civilian healthcare careers, such as nurse aides or medical assistants. It requires the Defense Secretary to develop recommendations addressing barriers like credential translation, standardization of military training, and access to bridge programs, with a report due within 180 days. The bill also creates a $5 million annual pilot program (2026-2030) to fund grants for healthcare providers in underserved areas, supporting hiring, training, and retention of separating military medics through license preparation and coordination with transition programs. This directly affects military medics separating from service and healthcare providers in rural or medically underserved communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal standards for trauma kits used by police departments receiving federal grant funding. It requires all such kits to include specific components like tourniquets, bleeding control bandages, and instructional materials from recognized medical sources, and mandates training for officers on their use. Police departments must follow these standards when purchasing kits with federal funds, though they can still assemble kits from approved components. The bill also sets requirements for maintaining and strategically placing these kits in patrol vehicles and agency facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2605) creates special hiring and pay authorities to help the Department of Defense recruit and retain cybersecurity professionals. It allows the Secretary to establish "qualified positions" outside regular civil service hiring rules, set pay up to 150% of top executive rates, and offer flexible benefits like sabbaticals or retention bonuses. The policy directly affects DoD cyber workers in critical technical roles, including new hires and current employees in converted positions. It requires an implementation plan, annual reports tracking hiring/retention metrics, and a Comptroller General assessment to evaluate effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThe Independent BROKERS TIME Act of 2025 requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to update Medicare regulations defining third-party marketing organizations (TPMOs), clarifying distinctions between TPMOs and independent agents/brokers - particularly addressing call centers outside the U.S. and lead-generation revenue models. It mandates rulemaking to create a reward for reporting Medicare marketing scams, establish a standardized registration process for independent agents to reduce regulatory burdens, and eliminate a 48-hour waiting period before agents meet with Medicare beneficiaries. Additionally, it directs the Inspector General to review predatory call center practices and report findings to Congress within one year. The bill directly affects Medicare agents, brokers, and TPMOs by reshaping regulatory oversight and enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2603) reorganizes internal reporting within the Department of Defense by designating the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy as the Secretary of Defense's direct principal staff assistant for cyber policy matters. It requires the Assistant Secretary to report directly to the Secretary without any intermediate leadership, and allows them to communicate cyber policy views directly to the Secretary without needing approval from other officials. The bill does not create new policies or affect external groups; it only changes the internal chain of command for cyber policy within the Department of Defense. This procedural change aims to streamline decision-making on cyber issues at the highest level of the Pentagon.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to publicly display on its website the current interment schedule availability (how long it takes to schedule a burial) for each national cemetery, updated every 30 days. It mandates the VA to define this metric within 60 days and submit a historical data report after one year. The bill also requires the VA to continue participating in the American Customer Satisfaction Index survey and notify Congress before stopping participation or changing its own customer service survey methods. These provisions directly affect veterans' families, funeral homes, and VA administrators by increasing transparency around burial scheduling and service quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill assigns the Commander of the United States Cyber Command direct responsibility for planning, programming, and budgeting resources to train, equip, operate, and sustain the cyber mission force. It requires the Cyber Command to prepare separate budget submissions for its operations and consult with military department leaders about funding for reserve component units. Military pay and facility support remain under the control of individual military departments. The bill aims to streamline budget coordination for cyber operations within the Department of Defense.