Sen. Mike Rounds

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life and legacy of Donald W. Riegle, Jr., a former U.S. Senator from Michigan who passed away in April 2026. The bill formally acknowledges his nearly three decades of public service, including his roles as a Representative and Senator, and highlights his significant contributions to legislation on banking, housing, and veterans' health. It also expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and directs officials to share the resolution with the House of Representatives and send a copy to Riegle's family. Finally, the Senate will stand in adjournment as a mark of respect for the former senator when the session concludes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates May 29, 2026, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to highlight mental health issues within the farming industry. The bill aims to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness among the approximately 3.37 million agricultural producers and 1.6 million farmworkers in the United States. It acknowledges specific challenges faced by these workers, such as suicide rates that are significantly higher than the general population, and encourages the use of existing resources like the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to promote well-being rather than enacting new laws or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally designates May 2026 as Renewable Fuels Month to honor the contributions of biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel. The bill highlights how these fuels support rural economies, create jobs, and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil. It also notes the environmental benefits, such as lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality, without imposing any new laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThe FARM AI Act of 2026 directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to integrate artificial intelligence into its research, education, and extension programs to help farmers improve productivity and resource management. This legislation mandates that federal funding for agricultural sciences include specific projects focused on AI adoption, workforce training, and the development of precision farming tools. To coordinate these efforts, the bill creates a new position called the Artificial Intelligence Agriculture Advisor, who will work with other agencies to promote AI use and establish national standards for the sector. Ultimately, the law aims to support small and family-run farms by providing technical assistance and ensuring access to modern digital technologies.

Stop Stealing our Chips Act This bill creates a whistleblower incentive program and establishes whistleblower protections for individuals who provide information to the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) related to violations of U.S. export control laws.  Currently, BIS administers and enforces controls on the export of dual-use goods (e.g., items with both civilian and military uses) and certain military parts and components. These export controls are implemented primarily under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) through the Export Administration Regulations. Under the bill, BIS must establish a whistleblower incentive program to reward individuals who voluntarily report original information that results in BIS imposing fines under ECRA on persons that violate, attempt to violate, conspire to violate, or cause a violation of ECRA or any related regulation, order, license, or authorization. Additionally, BIS must establish a secure online portal for whistleblowers to report violations of ECRA. The bill outlines requirements for BIS to review, investigate, and provide status updates related to these reports. The bill authorizes BIS to pay an award to any whistleblower who voluntarily reported original information that led to the imposition of a fine under ECRA. The bill establishes the Export Compliance Accountability Fund for paying these awards and funding related activities. The bill also sets forth whistleblower protections by (1) prohibiting retaliation against individuals who act as whistleblowers, and (2) establishing confidentiality requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of John Seymour, a late U.S. Senator from California, by formally acknowledging his public service and contributions. The document details his career highlights, including his roles as Mayor of Anaheim, his work in securing the relocation of the Los Angeles Rams, and his legislative achievements such as passing a major transportation bill. It also lists his committee assignments and advocacy for issues like special education, women's rights, and environmental protection. Finally, the resolution requests that the Senate Secretary communicate this tribute to the House of Representatives and send a copy to Seymour's family.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers across the United States. The measure formally recognizes the service and sacrifices of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers, including those who have died in the line of duty during 2025 and early 2026. By invoking existing federal authority, the bill encourages the public and government agencies to observe this week by acknowledging the essential mission of police work and supporting officer safety. The resolution also expresses condolences to the families of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and reaffirms support for communities served by law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThe BLUE Act amends federal law to prohibit sharing information that could help obstruct or retaliate against federal law enforcement officers. Specifically, it expands the existing ban on sharing information to include cases where the intent is to physically interfere with an officer's official duties or to aid others in doing so. The law also clarifies that protections extend to physical locations where officers are or are expected to be, whether on or off duty. These changes directly affect individuals who might otherwise share sensitive details about law enforcement operations, aiming to safeguard officers from targeted interference.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2026, as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The bill calls on the public and organizations to commemorate the victims and show solidarity with their families. It also recommends that the Department of Justice commission a new study to update statistics on the crisis, noting that the previous data is over a decade old.

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.