Sen. Mike Rounds

Maddy summaryThis bill changes asylum procedures for people entering the U.S. from Mexico or Canada after traveling through other countries. It requires such individuals to first get an interview at a U.S. embassy in Mexico or Canada to prove they face credible fear of persecution or torture before being allowed to apply for asylum in the U.S. The bill also blocks asylum eligibility for those who transited through other nations without seeking protection there, unless they meet specific exceptions like being trafficked or traveling through countries without refugee treaties. Additionally, it creates criminal warrants for immigration violations and removes limits on detaining asylum seekers under the Flores agreement. These changes primarily affect asylum seekers crossing the southern border after traveling through other countries.

WALL Act of 2023 This bill appropriates $25 billion for the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and addresses other issues related to immigration. As offsets to this spending, the bill restricts the child tax credit, earned income credits, and lifetime learning credits to those with Social Security numbers and not prohibited from employment in the United States. Also, individuals who file taxes using an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number must pay a fee ($300 for each individual on the tax return using an ITIN). The bill restricts eligibility for certain federally-funded benefits, including unemployment compensation, supplemental nutrition assistance, and housing benefits, to those eligible to work in the United States. Agencies administering such benefits must use the E-Verify program to confirm the eligibility of applicants for such benefits. This bill also sets fines for non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who improperly enter the United States or overstay their visas.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans with combat-related disabilities and less than 20 years of service to receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation simultaneously. Previously, such veterans had their retired pay reduced to avoid "concurrent receipt" of both benefits. The bill removes the 20-year service requirement for this group, applying specifically to those retired under Chapter 61 of Title 10 with a combat-related disability as defined in existing law. It does not change eligibility for veterans with non-combat disabilities or those with 20+ years of service.

Maddy summaryThe Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2023 amends immigration detention procedures to extend the length of detention for certain aliens without time limits, except as specified in the bill. It changes terminology from "parole" to "recognizance" throughout the process and establishes new criteria that make it more difficult for certain aliens to be released on bond during removal proceedings. The bill adds specific circumstances under which detention can continue beyond the standard removal period, including for aliens convicted of certain crimes, those deemed a threat to national security, or those who fail to cooperate with removal efforts. These changes primarily affect immigrants facing removal proceedings who may be held in detention for extended periods without bond eligibility.

Maddy summaryThe TAILOR Act of 2023 requires federal banking regulators (like the FDIC and Federal Reserve) to adjust rules based on each financial institution’s specific risk level and business model, particularly reducing regulatory burdens for smaller community banks. It mandates that regulators document how they tailor rules in rulemaking notices and submit annual reports to Congress on implementation. The bill also directs a review of existing regulations issued over the past seven years to apply these tailoring principles retroactively. A key provision simplifies reporting requirements for community banks eligible under the Community Bank Leverage Ratio framework. This aims to make oversight more practical for smaller institutions while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 73822), which addressed "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights." If enacted, it would block the rule from taking effect, directly affecting retirement plan fiduciaries (such as those managing 401(k) plans) who must follow these standards. The resolution uses a specific disapproval process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, to nullify the rule without altering its content. This is a procedural action targeting the rule's implementation, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week beginning February 5, 2023, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week" to symbolically recognize these institutions. It directly honors the 35 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities operating across 15 states, which serve over 230 federally recognized tribes and provide higher education access to American Indian, Alaska Native, and other students in underserved communities. The resolution calls for national recognition through appropriate activities but does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes. It is a ceremonial measure without binding legal effect.

Maddy summaryThe Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023 requires large cattle packers to report detailed information about their cattle purchases and contracts to improve market transparency. The bill establishes mandatory minimums requiring packers to purchase a certain percentage of cattle through transparent pricing mechanisms like negotiated deals, rather than private contracts. Packers must also report daily slaughter schedules and carcass weights more frequently, and create a public library of all cattle purchase contracts. These requirements directly affect major cattle packers and aim to give cattle producers more information about market prices.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals with valid concealed carry permits from their home state to carry concealed handguns in other states that either permit concealed carry for residents or don't ban it. It requires permit holders to have a government-issued ID, meet federal firearm possession rules, and carry only handguns (excluding machineguns or destructive devices). Carrying would still follow local restrictions in the destination state, such as bans in schools or government buildings. The bill does not change how states issue permits but creates automatic recognition of valid permits across participating states.

This resolution congratulates the South Dakota State University football team on a successful season and for winning the 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision title.