Sen. James E. Risch

Maddy summaryThe International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025 establishes a new U.S. government coordination structure to support international nuclear energy cooperation. It creates an Office of the Assistant to the President and Director for International Nuclear Energy Export Policy and a Nuclear Exports Working Group to coordinate civil nuclear exports. The bill authorizes financial assistance for "embarking civil nuclear nations" (countries developing nuclear energy programs) to help them build technical capacity and establish safety, security, and regulatory frameworks. It also establishes a biennial conference on nuclear safety and security, and creates mechanisms for cooperative financing relationships with ally nations to support U.S. nuclear exports.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the President to extend U.S. legal immunities (such as diplomatic protections) to three international organizations: ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). It amends the International Organizations Immunities Act to allow these extensions on terms determined by the President, mirroring how the U.S. grants such protections to other international bodies it participates with. The bill directly affects these organizations by potentially granting them legal status and protections during their activities in the United States. It does not create new programs or funding but adjusts existing legal authority for diplomatic relations.

Maddy summaryThe Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025 creates a new "State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention" designation for foreign countries that fail to release U.S. citizens within 30 days of notification or support such detentions. It requires air carriers to obtain passenger certification that they've reviewed State Department travel advisories for countries with "D" (wrongful detention risk) or "K" (criminal/terrorist threat) indicators before booking travel. The bill also establishes an Advisory Council composed of former detainees, family members, and experts to advise on hostage and wrongful detention policies. Additionally, it mandates regular congressional reports on potential designations, responses to detentions, and improvements to existing hostage response components.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how credit bureaus share consumer credit reports during mortgage applications. It limits sharing with third parties unless the request is for a firm mortgage offer or the recipient is the loan originator, servicer, or a bank holding the consumer's account. The law directly affects consumers (by limiting data sharing), credit bureaus (requiring new compliance), and mortgage lenders/banks (with restricted access). Key provisions require explicit consumer authorization for sharing and prevent broad data use during prescreening for home loans.

Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 This act reauthorizes the Department of Defense to sell its excess aircraft and aircraft parts that are acceptable for commercial sale for wildfire suppression purposes. Such authority begins June 12, 2025, and ends October 1, 2035. The act also provides that such aircraft may be used to deliver water by air in order to suppress wildfire (the previous authority only provided for the delivery of fire retardant). The act removes the previous limitation on providing international wildfire suppression assistance with such purchased aircraft.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 6, 2025, as National Naloxone Awareness Day to raise public awareness about naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. It urges federal, state, local governments, and organizations to improve access to naloxone and educate communities on its use, without creating new laws or funding. The resolution focuses on recognition and education, not policy changes or mandates.

Maddy summaryThe TERMS Act (S 2010) requires online service providers (like social media platforms, apps, and websites requiring user accounts) to clearly disclose their acceptable use policies and provide advance written notice before restricting user accounts. Specifically, providers must explain prohibited actions, enforcement methods, appeal options, and how outside activities (e.g., social media posts) might lead to account restrictions. They must also publish annual reports detailing how many users were restricted, by what policy violation, and how many appeals succeeded. These requirements aim to increase transparency for users and promote informed choices about online services.

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.

Maddy summaryThe Energy Choice Act (S 1945) prohibits state or local governments from restricting how energy is delivered to end-users based on the energy source. It specifically bans laws or regulations that limit connection, installation, or access to energy services (like natural gas, electricity, or renewable fuels) solely because of the energy type. This directly affects state/local agencies and utilities by preventing them from imposing source-specific restrictions on energy infrastructure. The bill aims to ensure all energy sources can be delivered without local regulatory barriers based on their origin.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1949) creates new penalties for manufacturing or distributing candy-flavored drugs marketed to minors. It specifically targets producers who combine schedule I or II controlled substances with candy/beverage products, market them to appear like candy, or modify them with candy-like flavors/coloring, knowing they’ll be sold to people under 18. First offenses carry up to 10 additional years in prison, while repeat offenses carry up to 20 additional years. Exceptions apply for FDA-approved medications sold as prescribed and products altered under a doctor’s direction for legitimate medical use.