Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Maddy summarySJRES 122 is a joint resolution seeking to disapprove an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that approved Indiana's Regional Haze Plan for the second implementation period under federal air quality regulations. If passed, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the EPA's approval of Indiana's haze reduction plan from being enforced. This follows a standard congressional disapproval process under federal law that allows Congress to halt agency rules within a specific timeframe. The resolution directly affects the EPA's ability to implement the approved plan in Indiana.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 119) seeks congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule approving Montana's regional haze plan for the second implementation period under federal air quality standards. If passed, it would nullify the EPA's rule (published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2025), meaning the EPA's approval of Montana's plan would have no legal effect. The bill directly affects Montana's air quality management by blocking federal approval of its haze reduction plan for the second phase. It uses the statutory disapproval process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code to override the EPA's action without changing Montana's underlying air quality plan.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have extended deadlines for oil and gas companies to meet emissions standards under the "Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review." The rule, published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2025 (90 Fed. Reg. 55671), aimed to delay compliance with existing emissions guidelines for new and modified sources. If enacted, this resolution would block the EPA rule from taking effect, requiring companies to adhere to the original deadlines instead of the extended timelines. The measure directly affects oil and gas industry compliance obligations under federal environmental regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would extend the time limit for prosecuting foreign bribery offenses under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act from the current standard to 10 years. It directly affects individuals and companies accused of bribing foreign officials by giving prosecutors more time to build cases. The law would apply to all such offenses committed after the bill's enactment, except those occurring within five years before the law takes effect. The provision includes a sunset clause, meaning it would expire eight years after being enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 113) is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a rule proposed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). It seeks to block the OCC's rule that would have removed existing requirements for large financial institutions to manage climate-related financial risks. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect, meaning current climate risk management principles would remain in place for major banks. The bill directly affects large financial institutions subject to the OCC's regulations, keeping their climate risk management obligations unchanged.

Maddy summaryThe Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026 updates eligibility rules and benefit amounts for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides financial assistance to low-income individuals with limited resources. The bill increases income and resource limits for SSI recipients, exempts certain retirement accounts and tribal welfare payments from counting toward eligibility limits, and extends the SSI program to U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. Additionally, the legislation repeals a marriage penalty that previously reduced benefits for married couples and clarifies how various state tax credits and in-kind support are treated when determining eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act, aims to increase competition in the U.S. meatpacking industry by requiring the Federal Trade Commission to break up large companies that control multiple types of meat processing. It prohibits major meatpacking firms from operating in more than one protein line (beef, pork, or poultry) and mandates divestiture of assets for companies that exceed market concentration thresholds. The legislation also targets foreign-owned meatpacking companies by requiring them to divest U.S. operations and includes provisions to prevent vertical consolidation between packers and feedlots. Additionally, the bill directs the FTC to use existing authority to address unfair pricing practices and authorizes funding for farmers' cooperatives and small businesses to acquire divested meatpacking facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) to continue its work against transnational organized crime and drug trafficking using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency enforcement approach. It requires the Attorney General to structure the task force to coordinate efforts among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Departments of Treasury, Homeland Security, Postal Service, Labor, and State. The legislation mandates that the Attorney General submit a joint report on the task force's successes to various congressional committees within one year of enactment, with the report made publicly available in unclassified form. The bill includes a sunset provision that ends its authority on January 20, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the DISCLOSE Act of 2026, strengthens campaign finance transparency by requiring corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs, and other entities to disclose more information about their spending and funding sources. It closes loopholes that allow foreign nationals to contribute to U.S. elections by expanding disclosure requirements and prohibiting foreign money in ballot initiatives and referenda. The legislation also mandates that certain advertisements include lists of top funders and requires reporting of spending related to federal judicial nominations. Additionally, it streamlines administrative processes for challenging campaign finance laws and ensures coordination between the Federal Election Commission and financial authorities to enforce these rules.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 617) designates February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month" to symbolically recognize CTE programs nationwide. It supports CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand careers by promoting workforce readiness through academic and technical skills training. The resolution encourages educators, counselors, parents, and school administrators to advocate for CTE as a valid educational pathway. As a non-binding Senate resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds but affirms bipartisan support for CTE's importance in workforce development.