Sen. Ted Cruz

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the funding and authorization for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom through September 2028. It directly affects the Commission, which monitors religious freedom violations worldwide and advises the U.S. government on related policies. The legislation amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to update the authorization period from the original 2025-2026 timeframe to 2026-2028. This procedural change ensures the Commission can continue its operations without interruption during the extended period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to permit official representatives and military members from Taiwan (including the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office) to display the Republic of China flag and military insignia during specific official engagements. It applies directly to visiting Taiwanese government officials, service members, and TECRO personnel during their U.S. diplomatic or military-related activities. The key provision mandates that such displays be allowed for wearing official uniforms, hosting government ceremonies, and appearing in official State and Defense social media promotions about U.S.-Taiwan engagements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 25, 2026, as "National Day of the American Cowboy" to honor the historical and cultural contributions of cowboys to the United States. It encourages citizens to observe the day with ceremonies and activities that recognize the cowboy's role in establishing the American West and its enduring presence in literature, media, and the economy. The measure highlights values associated with the cowboy archetype, such as integrity, hard work, and environmental stewardship, while noting that the role transcends gender, ethnicity, and political affiliation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the United States Commission on Human Dignity, an independent advisory group within the federal government tasked with examining the ethical and policy impacts of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology. The 17-member commission will be appointed by the President, congressional leaders, and committee chairs, with a focus on selecting experts in ethics, law, and science to ensure diverse perspectives. Its primary duties include developing ethical guidelines, monitoring federal programs for threats to human dignity, holding public hearings, and issuing annual reports to Congress and the President. The commission is explicitly limited to an advisory role and cannot issue regulations or enforce laws, and it will receive $2 million annually starting in 2027 until it dissolves in October 2032.

Maddy summaryThe Improving America's Literacy Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide grants to states that implement specific reading instruction methods. These funds are restricted to programs that use evidence-based strategies focusing on phonics and other core literacy skills while explicitly prohibiting the use of the "three-cueing model," an approach that relies on context and pictures for word recognition. The bill also requires states receiving these grants to undergo annual reviews of student outcomes and mandates that school improvement funds be directed only to districts utilizing approved literacy activities. Additionally, the legislation directs the Institute of Education Sciences to conduct research on effective literacy strategies and submit findings to Congress within five years. Finally, the act includes a provision ensuring that these new requirements do not limit protections for students with disabilities or allow the federal government to dictate specific local curriculum content.

Maddy summaryThe Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act directs the Coast Guard to acquire and maintain between six and nine manned aircraft specifically for flying into hurricanes to collect weather data. This legislation updates funding requirements to authorize $2.5 billion over five years for purchasing these planes and an additional $45 million annually for their operation and maintenance. The bill also mandates that the Coast Guard keep backup capabilities to ensure missions continue even if one aircraft is unavailable and requires the retention of qualified NOAA aviators to operate them. By amending existing laws, the act shifts the legal authority for these purchases to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act while setting specific performance goals for data collection and safety.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive sanctions framework targeting the Russian government and its affiliated entities in response to ongoing military actions. It authorizes the President to block assets, revoke visas, and prohibit financial transactions for Russian officials, military leaders, and foreign persons supporting Russia's defense industry or undermining Ukraine. The legislation also bans U.S. investments in Russian energy sectors, prohibits the purchase of Russian sovereign debt, and imposes high tariffs on Russian imports while restricting crude oil purchases by specific foreign nations. Additionally, the bill prevents Russian companies from listing on U.S. stock exchanges and includes mechanisms for terminating sanctions only if Russia signs a peace agreement accepted by Ukraine and ceases hostilities.

Maddy summaryThe PROTECT Act amends federal trademark laws to prevent private individuals and organizations from registering official government military symbols, such as awards, ribbons, and medals. Under this new rule, only government agencies are authorized to register these specific marks on the principal trademark register, while the law explicitly allows existing users to continue using them. This change aims to protect the exclusive right of the Department of Defense and other armed forces entities to control the registration of these traditional emblems without banning their current lawful use.

Maddy summaryThe FUSE Act directs the Department of Defense to run a five-year pilot program evaluating the safety and quality of printable energetic materials used in additive manufacturing. This initiative involves testing these new feedstocks to see if they offer better handling safety, supply chain resilience, and manufacturing consistency compared to traditional methods. The program requires strict safety protocols, including secure facilities and cybersecurity measures, and mandates regular reports to Congress detailing test results, risk assessments, and recommendations for future adoption. Ultimately, the bill aims to determine whether this technology can be safely integrated into existing munition modernization efforts while identifying necessary barriers to implementation.