Sen. Christopher Murphy

This joint resolution directs the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces for hostilities within or against Venezuela unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted. The joint resolution specifies that it shall not be construed to prevent the United States from defending itself from an armed attack or threat of an imminent armed attack.

Maddy summaryThe "No Political Enemies Act" (S 3646) prohibits federal officials from taking enforcement actions against individuals or groups that are substantially motivated by their constitutionally protected speech, such as criticism of government policies. It creates legal defenses for those targeted, requiring courts to dismiss enforcement actions if proven to be politically motivated, and establishes new remedies including the ability to seek injunctions and sue for damages. The bill also requires the Justice Department to report quarterly to Congress on sensitive investigations and prohibits using government funds for politically motivated enforcement actions. This legislation directly affects federal enforcement agencies, officials, and anyone engaging in protected speech who might face government action.

Maddy summarySRES 288 is a Senate resolution condemning recent ideologically motivated attacks on Jewish individuals, including a violent assault in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025, and other incidents like the attack on Israeli Embassy staff in Washington, D.C., and fires at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence. The resolution formally expresses the Senate’s condemnation of these acts as part of a growing pattern of antisemitism and politically motivated violence. It reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to protecting peaceful assembly and religious practice, while urging federal, state, and local law enforcement to thoroughly investigate such incidents and calling on community leaders to publicly oppose antisemitism. This resolution has no legal effect but serves as a formal statement of the Senate’s position.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and honors the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and Capitol staff (including custodial, janitorial, and maintenance personnel) who protected the building during the assault. It recognizes their bravery in defending Congress during the attack, which injured over 100 officers and contributed to five officer deaths, and acknowledges their ongoing essential work in maintaining Capitol operations. The resolution expresses Senate gratitude for their service and reaffirms commitment to protecting democratic processes. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds to compensate individuals prosecuted for the January 6 Capitol attack, including those later pardoned. It bans using funds from the Judgment Fund, victim compensation programs, or creating new compensation funds for these individuals. Additionally, it prevents refunds of court-ordered restitution, fines, or special assessments paid by convicted rioters, directing any such funds to the Architect of the Capitol instead. The law directly affects people convicted (or pardoned) for involvement in the January 6 attack.

Maddy summaryS 3581, the "No Settlements for January 6 Law Enforcement Assaulters Act," prohibits using federal funds (including the Judgment Fund) to settle claims by individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach. It directly affects those convicted under federal or D.C. law for assaulting officers during the Capitol events, banning settlements for claims related to harm suffered during the events or prosecution for those acts. The bill's key mechanism blocks all federal financial obligations for such settlements, regardless of the claim's basis. This is a substantive policy change affecting legal settlements for specific convicted individuals, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summarySJRES 82 is a joint resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding how the agency should follow the text of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), a federal law governing how agencies create regulations. The rule, published in March 2025, was identified by the Government Accountability Office as a "rule" subject to the Congressional Review Act. If enacted, this resolution would void the HHS policy, preventing it from taking effect and requiring HHS to disregard this specific internal guideline. The bill directly affects HHS's rulemaking procedures by invalidating the policy statement on APA adherence.

Maddy summaryS 3571, the "Keeping Our Agents on the Line Act," restricts U.S. Border Patrol agents to patrolling within 25 miles of the U.S. land border, prohibiting them from conducting interior arrests or operations beyond this limit without specific exceptions (like emergencies or declared disasters). It requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to publicly report data on checkpoint encounters (including breakdowns by citizenship status) and interior arrests (including agent training and case dispositions) within 30-90 days of enactment. The bill directly affects U.S. Border Patrol agents, their operational boundaries, and individuals encountered during border patrols or interior arrests, including U.S. citizens and residents. Key mechanisms include reaffirming the 25-mile limit, banning unauthorized interior authority delegation, and mandating transparency through public data reporting.

Maddy summaryThe Data Care Act of 2025 requires online service providers (like social media platforms or apps that collect user data) to securely handle "individual identifying data," especially sensitive information like health details, biometrics, financial data, or precise location. It imposes three key duties: (1) reasonably securing data from breaches, (2) not misusing data to harm users or benefit themselves, and (3) restricting data sharing to third parties only with strict confidentiality contracts. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general can enforce these rules through penalties for violations, with civil fines calculated based on the number of affected users or days of noncompliance. The law directly affects major digital platforms collecting user data and takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clayton Act to add a reference to itself within existing antitrust enforcement language. Specifically, it modifies Section 4C(a)(1) to include the phrase "or section 2 of this Act" after "any violation of the Sherman Act." The change directly affects how antitrust enforcement actions under the Clayton Act are referenced in legal proceedings. The bill does not introduce new substantive policy requirements but alters the statutory citation structure for consistency with its own provisions. (1 sentence summary: This procedural bill updates the Clayton Act's reference to itself in antitrust enforcement language.)