Sen. James E. Risch

Maddy summaryThe ECON Act strengthens U.S. economic diplomacy by establishing new duties for Foreign Service economic officers, requiring chiefs of mission to coordinate economic efforts across U.S. agencies, and creating "deal teams" at embassies to help American businesses secure overseas opportunities. Key provisions include establishing a "Deal Team of the Year" award, creating economic defense response teams to assist countries facing coercive economic practices, and implementing a pilot program to identify trade barriers in developing partner countries. The bill also expands protections against intellectual property theft and predatory pricing by foreign state-owned entities, while mandating revised performance metrics focused on outcomes rather than processes. This legislation directly affects U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide, American businesses seeking international opportunities, and foreign governments engaging in practices the U.S. considers unfair.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes asylum procedures for people entering the U.S. from Mexico or Canada after traveling through other countries. It requires such individuals to first get an interview at a U.S. embassy in Mexico or Canada to prove they face credible fear of persecution or torture before being allowed to apply for asylum in the U.S. The bill also blocks asylum eligibility for those who transited through other nations without seeking protection there, unless they meet specific exceptions like being trafficked or traveling through countries without refugee treaties. Additionally, it creates criminal warrants for immigration violations and removes limits on detaining asylum seekers under the Flores agreement. These changes primarily affect asylum seekers crossing the southern border after traveling through other countries.

Maddy summaryS 375, the Simplifying Grants Act of 2023, requires federal agencies to simplify grant application processes for small local governments. It directly affects "covered local governments" (defined as counties, cities, or towns with populations below the threshold for an urbanized area as determined by the Census). The bill mandates agencies to review and simplify grant requirements within 180 days of enactment, and to publish step-by-step checklists for each grant program. Agencies must also report annually on simplified processes, technical assistance provided, and funding awarded to covered versus other local governments.

Pistol Brace Protection Act This bill removes certain brace-equipped firearms from regulation under certain federal firearms laws. Specifically, under the bill, a pistol that that is equipped with an attachable stabilizing brace (or arm brace) that allows the pistol to be fired with one hand is not a rifle or shotgun subject to regulation (e.g., registration requirements) under the National Firearms Act.

WALL Act of 2023 This bill appropriates $25 billion for the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and addresses other issues related to immigration. As offsets to this spending, the bill restricts the child tax credit, earned income credits, and lifetime learning credits to those with Social Security numbers and not prohibited from employment in the United States. Also, individuals who file taxes using an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number must pay a fee ($300 for each individual on the tax return using an ITIN). The bill restricts eligibility for certain federally-funded benefits, including unemployment compensation, supplemental nutrition assistance, and housing benefits, to those eligible to work in the United States. Agencies administering such benefits must use the E-Verify program to confirm the eligibility of applicants for such benefits. This bill also sets fines for non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who improperly enter the United States or overstay their visas.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the President from blocking or delaying new oil, gas, coal, or mineral leases on federal lands (including national forests, public lands, and the outer continental shelf) without explicit congressional approval. It specifically prevents the President from imposing moratoria on new energy leases or withdrawing federal lands from energy development without an act of Congress. The law applies directly to federal land management decisions, requiring Congress to authorize any action that would restrict energy leasing or development on these lands. This is a procedural change affecting how federal energy leasing and land use decisions are made.

Maddy summaryS 356 establishes a senior coordinator within the U.S. government to manage efforts related to ISIS-affiliated individuals and displaced persons in Syria. It requires an interagency strategy within 180 days focused on repatriating, prosecuting, or reintegrating camp residents (including women and children at facilities like al-Hol) while improving humanitarian conditions and security. The bill mandates annual reports detailing camp conditions, repatriation numbers, security risks, and international cooperation efforts. It directly affects U.S. agencies (State, Defense, Justice, etc.), Syrian displaced persons camps, and partner nations working on ISIS-related detainee resolution. The law modifies existing NDAA 2020 provisions to strengthen coordination and accountability for closing camps by 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal murder law to treat distributing fentanyl that causes death as felony murder. It specifically targets individuals who distribute fentanyl (2+ grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, or 0.5+ grams of its analogues) knowing it contains the substance and causing death. The law adds a new provision stating that distributing fentanyl resulting in death constitutes first-degree murder, punishable by death or life imprisonment. This directly affects fentanyl distributors whose actions lead to fatalities, with the penalty applying when the distributor knew or should have known the substance contained fentanyl or its analogues.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans with combat-related disabilities and less than 20 years of service to receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation simultaneously. Previously, such veterans had their retired pay reduced to avoid "concurrent receipt" of both benefits. The bill removes the 20-year service requirement for this group, applying specifically to those retired under Chapter 61 of Title 10 with a combat-related disability as defined in existing law. It does not change eligibility for veterans with non-combat disabilities or those with 20+ years of service.

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes certain federal broadband grants from recipients' taxable income, directly affecting internet service providers, local governments, tribes, and other entities receiving qualifying grants under specific programs. Key provisions clarify that grant money from programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (Section 60102) or State Digital Equity Grants (Section 60304) is not counted as income. It also prevents double tax benefits by disallowing deductions for expenses covered by these grants and reducing the adjusted basis of related property. The rule applies to grants received after March 11, 2021, and covers grants funded through federal broadband initiatives or state/local programs using specific federal funds.