Sen. Joni Ernst

Maddy summarySRES 269 is a Senate resolution recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, established on June 14, 1775. It expresses the Senate's appreciation for Army soldiers' dedication over 250 years, honors their valor and service, and calls for the American public to observe the anniversary through ceremonies and activities. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies - it solely commemorates the Army's historical significance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Senate to approve any World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic preparedness agreement as a treaty, rather than allowing it to take effect through executive action. It directly affects the U.S. government’s ability to enter into international agreements on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response with the WHO. The bill explicitly deems any such agreement "a treaty" requiring Senate advice and consent under the U.S. Constitution (two-thirds approval). It responds to the WHO’s recent adoption of a pandemic agreement draft at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025, aiming to ensure Senate oversight for all future pandemic-related international commitments.

Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act This bill requires federal agencies to assess their software inventory and develop software management plans. The bill requires each agency (which includes any executive department, military department, or other establishment in the executive branch) to complete a comprehensive assessment of the software paid for by, in use at, or deployed throughout the agency. The assessment must include information such as (1) the current inventory of software; (2) contracts and other arrangements used to acquire, build, deploy, or use the software; (3) costs and fees not included in the initial contract or agreement; and (4) the interoperability of the software and restrictions on its use. Each agency must use their assessment to develop a plan to consolidate software entitlements, develop procedures for cost-effective acquisition strategies, and restrict subordinate entities from using any software entitlement without approval. (A software entitlement is software that has been purchased, leased, or licensed by or billed to an agency and that is subject to use limitations.) Such plans must be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress.  Within two years of enactment, OMB must submit recommendations to Congress regarding government software procurement policies and practices to     • increase the interoperability of software licenses,     • consolidate licenses when appropriate,     • reduce costs,     • improve performance, and     • modernize the management and oversight of agency software.      The GAO must report on certain related topics, including governmentwide trends in agency software asset management practices and comparisons of such practices among agencies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June as "Life Month" each year, recognizing the inherent dignity of all human life. It urges Congress to acknowledge that every life is a sacred gift and to commend organizations and individuals supporting pregnant mothers and families. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic statement affirming life as a fundamental right.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1922, the FIREARM Act) affects licensed firearm dealers by changing how violations of firearm regulations are handled. It requires dealers to self-report violations to the Attorney General before they are discovered, giving them 30 business days to correct issues with assistance and training - preventing license revocation for most errors. For violations involving prohibited transfers or uncorrectable issues, enforcement may proceed. The bill also adds judicial review rights for dealers facing license denial/revocation and applies retroactively to restore licenses revoked under a prior enforcement policy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 255) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring former U.S. Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri, who died on May 13, 2025. It recognizes his 40+ years of public service, including his roles as Missouri Governor (1973-1977, 1981-1985) and U.S. Senator (1987-2011). The resolution directs the Senate to adjourn briefly as a mark of respect and transmit a copy to his family. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely commemorative.

Maddy summaryS 1918, the Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025, creates a new federal tax credit for expenses related to access technology for blind individuals. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $2,000 per 3-year period for qualified hardware, software, or IT tools that convert visual information into accessible formats for themselves, their spouse, or a blind dependent. The credit amount adjusts annually for inflation starting in 2026 and expires after 2030. This policy directly affects taxpayers who pay for such technology for blind family members, reducing their tax liability for these qualifying expenses.

Maddy summaryThe GRAIN DRY Act (S 1826) amends existing law to expand loan eligibility for agricultural producers. It specifically allows producers to use funds for constructing or upgrading storage facilities for propane primarily used in farming operations. This change directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses seeking to improve infrastructure for propane storage essential to their production processes. The bill updates the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act by adding this new purpose to the list of eligible uses for loan funds.

Maddy summarySRES 236 is a non-binding Senate resolution condemning Russia’s abduction and forced transfer of Ukrainian children, citing over 19,500 confirmed cases as of April 2025. It urges that all Ukrainian children abducted by Russia be returned before any peace agreement is finalized, emphasizing this as a prerequisite for a just resolution to the war. The resolution references Russia’s changed adoption laws, violations of international treaties, and documented human rights abuses against children in occupied territories. It does not create new law but formally expresses the Senate’s position on this issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic prior authorization systems by 2028 and report detailed transparency data starting in 2027. Plans must publicly disclose approval/denial rates, average processing times (including for appeals), technology use, and other metrics for covered medical services. It mandates 24-hour response standards for expedited requests and routinely approved services, with data collection to analyze access patterns and potential disparities in rural/low-income communities. These changes directly affect Medicare Advantage plans, providers, and seniors enrolled in these plans by standardizing and increasing visibility into prior authorization processes.