Sen. Charles E. Schumer

Maddy summaryS. RES. 420 designates Betty K. Koed as Historian Emerita of the U.S. Senate, effective October 21, 2023, honoring her 25-year career as the Senate's first female Historian (serving from 2015-2023 after roles as Assistant and Associate Historian). The resolution recognizes her work preserving Senate archives, producing historical publications, and supporting educational programs about Senate history. It is a ceremonial honor with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or constituents.

This resolution states that the Senate stands with Israel as it defends itself, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas' war on Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and calls on the United States to lead an international effort to deprive Hamas of Iranian and other sources of funding and lethal assistance. Furthermore, the resolution states that nothing in it may be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force.

Maddy summarySRES 416 authorizes former Senate employee Daniel Schwager to provide testimony in the criminal case *United States v. Sullivan* (Cr. No. 21-078), excluding matters protected by Senate privileges. It directs Senate Legal Counsel to represent Schwager and other Senate staff regarding this testimony. This procedural resolution facilitates cooperation with the court while preserving Senate privilege protections.

Maddy summaryThis resolution authorizes former Senate employee Daniel Schwager to provide testimony in the federal criminal case *United States v. Samsel* (Cr. No. 21-537), excluding matters protected by Senate privileges. It also directs the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Schwager and other Senate employees regarding evidence production related to their official duties. The resolution is procedural, citing the Ethics in Government Act and Senate rules to permit testimony without violating Senate privilege. It does not alter laws or create new policy but facilitates cooperation with the court.

Maddy summaryS. Res. 406 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Richard Clarence Clark, a former U.S. Senator from Iowa (served 1973-1979), who died in 2023. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that the House of Representatives and Clark’s family be informed, and directs the Senate to adjourn for the day as a mark of respect. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy or legal effect, reflecting the Senate’s collective tribute to a former member.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally assigns the majority party's membership on specific Senate committees for the 118th Congress, based on the party holding the majority in the Senate. It lists the designated members for committees like Appropriations, Banking, and Intelligence, including committee chairs and ranking members. The assignment remains in effect until successors are chosen, making it a procedural step to establish committee leadership without creating new policy or affecting legislation.

Maddy summaryThe Artificial Intelligence Advancement Act of 2023 requires financial regulatory agencies (like the Federal Reserve and FDIC) to report on their use of AI in regulated institutions, including gaps in oversight and needed resources. It directs the Department of Defense to develop bug bounty programs for foundational AI models in military systems and conduct a study on vulnerabilities in AI-enabled military applications, covering privacy, security, and testing needs. The bill also mandates a DoD report on improving data sharing and interoperability across its agencies to support AI development. These provisions primarily affect federal agencies and the financial sector they regulate, focusing on internal oversight and risk assessment without imposing new direct regulations on businesses.

Maddy summaryThe Air America Act of 2023 authorizes a one-time $40,000 payment to individuals who served for at least five years with Air America or its affiliated companies (1950-1976) or to their survivors, including widows, widowers, children, or dependents. Additional payments of $8,000 per full year beyond five years of service are provided for longer service periods. The total funding for these awards is capped at $60 million, with claims required to be filed within two years of implementing regulations. The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency administers the program, processing claims and issuing lump-sum payments to eligible individuals or their survivors.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. It expresses the Senate's respect for her legacy through a formal statement and calls for the chamber to adjourn as a mark of tribute following her passing. The resolution details her historic milestones, including being the first woman to represent California in the Senate, chair multiple key committees, and advocate on issues like gun safety and conservation. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely commemorative.

Maddy summarySRES 394 is a Senate resolution introduced on October 3, 2023, honoring the late James L. Buckley, a former U.S. Senator from New York (1971-1977) who died in 2023. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his passing and directs the Senate to communicate the resolution to the House of Representatives and Buckley's family, while calling for an immediate adjournment in his memory. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it solely serves to commemorate Buckley's life and legacy.