Sen. Mark R. Warner

Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, certain broadband grants made for broadband deployment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 805) is a non-binding Senate measure supporting the designation of September 18-24, 2022, as "Telehealth Awareness Week." It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes telehealth's role in expanding healthcare access - especially during the pandemic - and urges efforts to raise awareness about its benefits. The resolution highlights telehealth’s use by over 28 million Medicare beneficiaries and calls for promoting continued access to telehealth services for all communities, including rural and underserved areas. It directly affects public awareness and advocacy efforts around telehealth, without imposing any legal requirements on government or providers.

Maddy summarySRES 799 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating October 5, 2022, as "Energy Efficiency Day." It commemorates the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency, citing historical achievements like $800 billion in annual energy cost savings and 2 million jobs in the sector. The resolution does not create new policies or affect any group; it solely encourages public recognition through events and awareness activities. It references past bipartisan energy efficiency legislation but does not alter existing laws. This is a symbolic gesture celebrating existing progress, not a policy change.

Savings Security Act of 2022 This bill increases during periods of higher inflation the annual purchase limit applicable to certain government bonds. Specifically, individuals may annually purchase up to $30,000 in Series I U.S. savings bonds when, during that year, the six-month average consumer price index is above 3.5%. Currently, annual purchases are capped at $15,000 per person.

This resolution designates September 2022 as National Voting Rights Month, encourages people to uphold the right to vote, encourages Congress to pass certain voting rights legislation, recommends the development of a curriculum in public schools and universities regarding voting, encourages the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special Representative John R. Lewis stamp during the month of September, and invites Congress to allocate funds for public service announcements regarding elections.

Election Worker Protection Act of 2022 This bill addresses certain protections for election workers. Among other provisions, the bill (1) establishes grants for the recruitment, training, and safety of election workers; and (2) makes it a crime to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or harass an election worker with the intent to interfere with the official duties of, or retaliate against, the worker.

Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2022 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2022 This bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosures of campaign expenditures, and requiring additional disclosures regarding certain political advertisements. Specifically, the bill expands existing foreign money prohibitions to include disbursements for paid web-based or digital communications and federal judicial nomination communications. It also prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda. The Government Accountability Office must, for each four-year election cycle, study and report on the incidence of illicit foreign money in federal elections. Next, the bill makes it unlawful to establish or use a corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an election contribution or donation by a foreign national. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. Covered organizations (e.g., corporations, labor organizations, and political organizations) must, within 24 hours, file reports with the Federal Election Commission to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle. The bill also requires organizations to provide additional disclosures regarding political advertisements, including the donors who contributed the most money to that organization in the last year.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes funding for the National Park Foundation, which supports national parks through grants and programs. It increases the annual funding authorization from $5 million to $15 million and extends the funding period through 2030, replacing the previous 2023 end date. The key change is a significant funding boost and longer-term financial stability for the Foundation's operations. This directly affects the National Park Foundation and the national parks it assists, enabling continued support for park maintenance, education, and conservation projects. The bill makes no new policy changes beyond adjusting funding levels and duration.

This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2022; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.

Maddy summarySRES 779 is a Senate resolution designating September 17-24, 2022, as "National Estuaries Week." It aims to raise public awareness about the ecological and economic importance of estuaries, which support jobs, fisheries, and coastal protection. The resolution highlights estuaries' role in sustaining 3.5 million jobs and $351 billion in economic output while recognizing threats like pollution and habitat loss. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but encourages public recognition of estuary conservation.