Sen. Eric Schmitt

Maddy summarySRES 169 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing the chamber's lack of confidence in DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. It states the Senate believes he does not have the confidence of the Senate or American people to carry out his duties, citing border enforcement challenges, alleged false testimony, and policy decisions like ending the Migrant Protection Protocols. The resolution does not change Mayorkas' position, alter border policies, or create new legal requirements - it is purely a formal statement of disapproval. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect on government operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits healthcare providers and transplant centers from denying organ transplants or related services solely because a person has a disability. It requires covered entities (like hospitals and transplant centers) to make reasonable policy changes - such as involving a patient's support network or providing accessible communication - to ensure qualified individuals with disabilities can access transplants. The law clarifies that providers may only consider a disability medically significant if a physician determines it directly affects transplant success, and it establishes enforcement through the Department of Health and Human Services or lawsuits. The bill does not replace existing disability protections like the ADA but specifies how they apply to organ transplant processes.

Maddy summaryS 1166, the Restore Public Health Institution Trust Act of 2023, requires the Comptroller General to produce a report assessing the CDC's public health messaging and guidance. The report must examine the data used by the CDC, the impact of inconsistent messaging on public trust and vaccine uptake (including for school-age children), and whether outside groups influenced recommendations. It also asks for specific recommendations to improve the CDC's future communication and decision-making processes. This procedural bill directly affects the CDC and Congress, as it mandates a review of past CDC actions without altering current policies.

Maddy summaryThe AMERICA Act (S 1073) establishes new rules for large digital advertising companies to increase transparency and competition in digital advertising markets. It prohibits companies with over $20 billion in annual digital advertising revenue from owning both a digital advertising exchange and a brokerage service, or from owning a brokerage while also being a buyer or seller of ad space. Companies with over $5 billion in annual revenue must act in their customers' best interests, provide detailed transparency about bid data and routing practices, and maintain separate business functions to avoid conflicts of interest. The bill creates private rights of action for harmed customers and requires annual certification of compliance to the Attorney General. It directly affects major digital advertising companies and their business customers who buy or sell digital advertisements.

Maddy summaryThe RISE Act requires colleges and universities to accept multiple forms of documentation, such as past Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans, to determine if a student qualifies for disability accommodations. It mandates that institutions clearly explain their accommodation processes to students and staff and report disability-related data (like enrollment numbers and accommodations provided) to federal databases. The bill also allocates $10 million for a national center to provide information and technical support to postsecondary students with disabilities. These provisions directly affect higher education institutions and students with disabilities seeking accommodations.

Maddy summaryThe HALT Fentanyl Act (S 1141) creates a new, broader definition for "fentanyl-related substances" under the Controlled Substances Act, making many chemical variations subject to Schedule I restrictions without needing individual listing. It establishes streamlined research registration procedures for scientists studying these substances, allowing single registrations for multi-site research within institutions and creating expedited processes for new research applications. The bill also includes provisions to allow ongoing research on substances newly added to Schedule I, with specific timelines for researchers to transition to full registration. These changes aim to balance strict controls on fentanyl-related substances with the need for medical research on these compounds.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal "National Parkinson’s Project" under the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate efforts across agencies in preventing, treating, and curing Parkinson’s disease and related conditions. It requires an integrated national plan, annual progress assessments, and a public Advisory Council - including patient advocates, researchers, and healthcare providers - to guide strategy and recommend actions. The project mandates data sharing among federal agencies and biannual reports to Congress evaluating federally funded Parkinson’s programs, aiming to improve care coordination, reduce financial burdens on Medicare and families, and advance research on environmental triggers. The law directly affects people living with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and federal health agencies involved in research and patient services. The initiative is scheduled to sunset in 2035.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 22) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Education regarding federal student loan modifications. It targets the rule titled "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans," which included a one-time debt relief program announced in October 2022. The resolution requests Congress disapprove the rule under the Congressional Review Act, preventing the Department from implementing it. If approved, the rule would have no legal effect, directly affecting how student loan borrowers could access modifications or debt relief under that specific policy.

Maddy summaryThe NIH Reform Act (S 960) reorganizes the National Institutes of Health by splitting the existing National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) into three new institutes: the National Institute of Allergic Diseases, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases. This directly affects NIH leadership and research operations, requiring new director appointments with 5-year terms (allowing one reappointment) and updating federal references to replace NIAID with the new institute names. The bill mandates a transition plan for NIH leadership to shift responsibilities from the old NIAID structure to the new institutes, without altering funding or creating new research programs. It focuses on administrative restructuring to better align research priorities with specific disease areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to require the U.S. Supreme Court to have exactly nine justices. Currently, Congress sets the Court's size through legislation, but this amendment would make the nine-justice structure a permanent requirement in the Constitution. It would need ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years to become part of the Constitution. If adopted, it would prevent Congress from changing the Court's size via ordinary legislation.