Sen. Eric Schmitt

Maddy summaryThe Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act amends a federal criminal law to expand penalties for interfering with energy transportation infrastructure, such as pipelines and power lines. It broadens prohibited acts to include vandalism, tampering, disrupting operations, and preventing construction of these systems. This change directly affects individuals who engage in such actions, increasing legal consequences for disrupting energy infrastructure projects. The bill does not create new infrastructure but strengthens existing legal protections for energy transportation networks.

Maddy summaryS 5024, the National Geospatial Innovation Hub Advancement Act of 2024, requires the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program developing a skilled geospatial workforce for defense needs. The program partners with colleges near National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) facilities to create training, education, and certification pathways in geospatial technology. It mandates U.S. citizenship for participants, prioritizes locations with Defense installations, and requires annual reports on workforce demand, program progress, and economic impact. The pilot runs until 2030, aiming to boost local economic growth and support DoD operations through targeted workforce development.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary 30-member Joint Select Committee on Regulatory Reform to review how federal agencies issue regulations. The committee would examine current regulatory processes, identify rules that could be repealed, and recommend ways for Congress to review proposed regulations with significant economic impact ($50 million or more annually) before they take effect. Composed of 15 Senate members and 15 House members appointed by party leadership, the committee would operate for one year and hold hearings on regulatory burdens across different economic sectors. It would also analyze the feasibility of creating a permanent committee to review major regulations, with recommendations submitted to Congress within 90 days of its termination.

Maddy summarySRES 795 is a Senate resolution expressing strong disapproval of the Department of Education's delayed implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act for the 2024-2025 academic year. The resolution cites specific issues, including the FAFSA application launching on December 31 (instead of the usual October 1), delayed data transmission to colleges until March, and resulting financial aid delays past National College Decision Day on May 1. This directly affected students - particularly those in foster care or experiencing homelessness - by reducing their time to compare college financial options. The resolution calls on the Department to address rollout problems for future cycles and testify to Congress, but it does not create new policy or funding changes.

Maddy summarySRES 800 is a symbolic Senate resolution introduced on August 1, 2024, by a bipartisan group of senators. It condemns the July 13, 2024, attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally and honors three individuals affected: Corey D. Comperatore (who died shielding his family), David Dutch (critically injured), and James Copenhaver (critically injured). The resolution calls for national unity and civility following the violent incident. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's stance on the event.

Maddy summaryS 4958 requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to withdraw a specific federal energy efficiency standard for new housing financed by these agencies (89 Fed. Reg. 33112). The bill mandates that these agencies revert to the previous energy efficiency standards and prohibits them from using federal funds to implement or enforce this withdrawn standard or any substantially similar rule. It also extends this prohibition to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), preventing them from finalizing or enforcing similar energy efficiency standards for housing. This bill directly affects federal housing programs and agencies that set energy efficiency requirements for new construction.

Maddy summaryS 4893, the TERMS Act, requires online platforms (like social media or apps requiring user accounts) to clearly explain their rules for suspending or terminating accounts. Specifically, platforms must publicly disclose their acceptable use policies in plain language, including what actions could lead to account restrictions, how they enforce rules, and appeal options. Platforms must also provide advance written notice before restricting an account, detailing the violation and appeal process, with limited exceptions for safety risks or court orders. Additionally, platforms must publish annual reports detailing how often they enforced their policies, including the reasons for restrictions and outcomes of user appeals. This bill directly affects platforms with public user accounts, aiming to increase transparency for users and businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the mastodon fossil (genus *Mammut*) as the national fossil of the United States under Title 36 of the U.S. Code. It amends existing law to add "national fossil" to the list of official U.S. symbols, alongside the national anthem, motto, floral emblem, and other designations. The bill has no practical policy impact - it is purely ceremonial and affects no individuals or organizations. It requires no new funding, regulations, or enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill reclassifies firearm silencers under federal law, removing them from the strict National Firearms Act (NFA) registration requirements. It requires silencer owners to meet standard firearm registration rules instead of NFA-specific processes and blocks states from imposing taxes, registration, or recordkeeping for silencers. Directly affects gun owners, manufacturers, and retailers who use or sell silencers by simplifying federal compliance. The key change eliminates the need for separate NFA registration for silencers while maintaining federal oversight under standard firearm regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that support the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization's system of paying terrorists and their families, which the bill states incentivizes terrorism. Sanctions include blocking U.S. property, denying visas, and restricting financial transactions with officials, organizations (like the Commission of Prisoners), or financial institutions facilitating these payments. The President must act within 90 days of enactment, and sanctions remain in effect until the Secretary of State certifies the payments have ceased. The bill builds on the 2018 Taylor Force Act, which previously tied U.S. aid to ending such payments.