Sen. Ted Cruz

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Kempthorne, a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. It formally acknowledges his public service across various roles, including his work on environmental conservation, veterans' support, and economic development in Idaho. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to his family. Additionally, the Senate stands in adjournment as a final mark of respect to his memory.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal carjacking law to change how the offense is defined and prosecuted. It removes the requirement that a carjacking must involve "intent to cause death or serious bodily harm" for it to be considered a federal offense (now only requiring the act to be done "knowingly"). For cases where death occurs, it now requires prosecutors to prove both the intent to cause death *and* that death actually resulted, rather than just showing death occurred. This directly affects federal prosecutors, carjacking defendants, and the legal standards used in such cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025, updates and strengthens pipeline safety regulations across the United States. It increases funding for pipeline safety programs through fiscal year 2030, requires risk-based inspections of pipeline facilities, and establishes a voluntary information-sharing system for pipeline safety data. The bill also addresses safety concerns related to emerging gases like hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and improves emergency response planning requirements. It directly affects pipeline operators, state pipeline safety programs, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the Senate's view that the United States should prioritize countering the People's Republic of China as its main strategic competitor. The document outlines specific policy directions, including strengthening military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, protecting American economic interests from Chinese trade practices, and leading in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. It also calls for maintaining strong alliances with nations such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, while supporting democratic values and human rights globally.

Maddy summaryThe Davis-Bacon Repeal Act would eliminate federal wage requirements that currently mandate contractors on government-funded construction projects pay workers at least the prevailing local wage rate. By repealing the relevant section of the U.S. Code, the bill removes the legal basis for these minimum wage standards on future contracts. The law includes a transition period that protects existing contracts and those with outstanding bids for 30 days after enactment, ensuring no immediate disruption to ongoing projects. This change would directly affect construction firms and workers involved in federally funded building work by removing the obligation to adhere to specific local wage floors.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as National Small Business Week to honor the contributions of small business owners and entrepreneurs across the United States. The measure expresses appreciation for the economic role these businesses play and acknowledges the resilience of their owners and employees. By adopting this designation, the Senate aims to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit within every community without imposing any new laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates April 6, 2026, as the day the Artemis II crew set a new record for the farthest distance traveled by astronauts from Earth. The bill honors the four crew members and celebrates the successful launch, journey, and safe return of the mission, which marked the first human trip to the Moon in over 50 years. It also recognizes the contributions of NASA personnel, international partners, and industry contractors who supported the effort. The text serves as a formal acknowledgment of these achievements rather than a change to existing laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThe NOPE Act of 2026 expands the congressional review process for U.S. sanctions targeting Russia, specifically including new executive orders and energy-related actions involving Russian crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas, and other energy goods. Under this bill, Congress must review these specific energy sanctions until the Secretary of State certifies that Russia has ended its war in Ukraine and committed to a just peace settlement that compensates Ukraine for war damages. The legislation also creates an exception allowing the government to permit certain energy shipments during the initial review period if they are necessary for crew safety, emergency repairs, environmental protection, or to mitigate economic impacts in foreign countries.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing U.S. laws to require only foreign-owned companies registered in the United States to report beneficial ownership information, while exempting domestic U.S. entities from these filing requirements. Under the new rules, foreign corporations must disclose details about their owners, but any beneficial owners who are U.S. persons will not be required to provide this data. Additionally, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is directed to delete all previously collected ownership information related to U.S. persons while retaining records for non-U.S. individuals. The legislation effectively narrows the scope of the current reporting system to focus exclusively on foreign entities operating within the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the No FED in West Texas Act, prevents the Secretary of the Interior from finalizing or enforcing a specific land protection plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. The legislation directly affects federal management of the refuge by prohibiting the implementation of a February 2023 document that would have restricted land use. By blocking this plan, the bill aims to stop the designation of certain areas as protected zones within the refuge.