Sen. John Hoeven

Maddy summarySRES 914 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for National Adoption Day (November 23, 2024) and National Adoption Month (November 2024). It promotes public awareness of children awaiting adoption in foster care, celebrates adoption families, and encourages Americans to support child safety and permanency. The resolution does not create new policies or alter existing laws; it is a non-binding statement of support. It directly affects public awareness and national recognition of adoption efforts, not specific individuals or programs.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 902) honoring the late Senator Timothy Peter Johnson of South Dakota, who died after a long career in public service. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and send a copy to his family, and calls for the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is purely a formal expression of respect for a former senator. The resolution commemorates his decades of service, including his time as Chairman of the Banking Committee and his return to work after a serious health setback.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal agencies from using the "social cost of carbon" and related metrics (estimating climate damage costs from methane or nitrous oxide) when developing environmental regulations, guidance, or cost-benefit analyses. It directly affects agencies like the EPA that create rules on emissions, power plants, and air quality. The law requires agencies to stop relying on these specific climate cost estimates in all regulatory decisions starting upon enactment. Agencies must also report to Congress on past uses of these metrics within 120 days of the bill becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes specific funding for water infrastructure projects in North Dakota and tribal communities. It allocates $120 million (indexed) for the Northwest Area Water Supply Plant, $454 million for the McClusky Canal project, $50 million for the Southwest Pipeline, and $63 million for rural water districts. Additionally, it provides $743 million (indexed) for tribal water systems, including $275 million for the Three Affiliated Tribes Reservation and $240 million for the Standing Rock Reservation. The funds are subject to indexing for construction cost fluctuations and must be used for specified project components as outlined in the bill.

Maddy summarySRES 897 is a Senate resolution designating November 2024 as National Native American Heritage Month and recognizing the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day, as established by the 2009 Native American Heritage Day Act. It formally acknowledges the contributions of Native Americans to U.S. history, culture, and society, including their roles in agriculture, environmental stewardship, military service, and the influence of Indigenous governance concepts on the U.S. Constitution. The resolution encourages the public to observe these designations through educational programs and activities. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or communities.

Maddy summaryS 5303, the Stand with Israel Act, prohibits U.S. federal funds from being used to support the United Nations or its entities if those entities restrict Israel's full participation as a member state. Specifically, it blocks funding for UN contributions when the UN expels, downgrades, or suspends Israel's membership or limits its ability to engage equally with other member states. This bill directly affects how U.S. taxpayer money is allocated to the UN, requiring the Department of State and other agencies to withhold funds under these circumstances. The law amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to enforce this restriction.

Maddy summarySRES 888 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late James Ralph Sasser, a former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (served 1976-1993). It formally expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" over his death and requests the Secretary of the Senate transmit the resolution to his family. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or entities - it is solely a commemorative gesture. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Army Dustoff crews who served during the Vietnam War, recognizing their life-saving medical evacuations. The medal, to be designed by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, will be displayed at the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum. The bill honors the approximately 900,000 wounded personnel these crews transported over the course of the Vietnam War, including U.S., South Vietnamese, and allied forces, who relied on their rapid medical evacuation services.

Maddy summarySRES 866 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating October 4, 2024, as "National Energy Appreciation Day." It honors energy workers across all sectors (including oil, gas, coal, nuclear, and renewables) who power the U.S. economy and infrastructure. The resolution encourages federal, state, local, and community organizations to observe the day with events that raise awareness about energy's role in supporting jobs, economic growth, national security, and global poverty reduction. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the energy industry's contributions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 26, 2024, as "Day of the Deployed" to honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces currently deployed overseas and their families. It calls for the American public to reflect on the service of deployed military personnel past and present, and encourages observing the day with ceremonies. The resolution has no legislative effect - it is purely ceremonial, continuing an annual designation first established in 2011. It directly affects military service members, their families, and the general public through symbolic recognition.