Sen. David McCormick

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a definition in existing law to clarify which countries are considered "foreign countries of concern" for restrictions on foreign talent recruitment in federally funded research. It directly affects research institutions and programs receiving federal funding under the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act. The key change broadens the definition to include any program, position, or activity (whether directly or indirectly provided) involving foreign talent recruitment, removing prior limitations on how such recruitment might occur. This adjustment ensures the restriction applies more comprehensively to prevent malign foreign influence in U.S. research.

Maddy summaryS 2362, the Ending Lending to China Act of 2025, directs the U.S. Treasury to instruct American representatives at multilateral development banks (like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank) to oppose all new loans and financial assistance to China. It targets China specifically because the bill states China has "graduated" from needing such aid (exceeding the income threshold for borrowing since 2016). The bill requires the Treasury to submit annual reports to Congress on China’s borrowing status, voting power at these banks, and efforts to encourage other countries to graduate from borrowing eligibility. This legislation changes U.S. voting policy at these institutions but does not alter China’s actual eligibility or stop existing loans.

Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act This act permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. Under the act, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues (e.g., offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term). Additionally, the act establishes a new, alternative registration process for certain schedule I research. The act also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances, waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration. Finally, the act expresses the sense that Congress agrees with the interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act in United States v. McCray , a 2018 case decided by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. In that case, the court held that butyryl fentanyl, a controlled substance, can be considered an analogue of fentanyl even though, under the Controlled Substances Act, the term controlled substance analogue specifically excludes a controlled substance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987 to prohibit U.S. operations by the Muslim Brotherhood and its branches, defining it as a terrorist organization. It imposes mandatory visa ineligibility and visa revocation for foreign individuals identified as Muslim Brotherhood members, including those affiliated with groups like Hamas. The bill requires the Secretary of State to annually report to Congress identifying global Muslim Brotherhood branches and determine if they meet criteria for foreign terrorist organization designation under existing law. If designated, the President must impose sanctions, including foreign terrorist organization status and asset-blocking under Executive Order 13224, with sanctions remaining in place for at least four years for any identified branch.

Farmers First Act of 2025 This bill extends through FY2030 and revises the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). This Department of Agriculture program provides competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide stress assistance programs (i.e., professional agricultural behavioral health counseling, helplines, and resources) to individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and agriculture-related occupations. The bill specifies that the grant funding for farm telephone helplines and websites may also be used for crisis lines. Further, FRSAN grant recipients may establish referral relationships with providers, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, health centers, rural health clinics, and critical access hospitals.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the minting of commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2034 Salt Lake City Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It specifies four coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, half-dollar, and proof silver $1) with defined quantities and designs reflecting U.S. athletic participation. A surcharge on each coin sale (e.g., $35 for $5 coins) funds the respective Olympic committees' legacy programs, including youth sports initiatives. The coins are legal tender but intended solely for commemoration, with surcharges directed to the organizing committees after covering minting costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal education law to prohibit public schools from teaching concepts related to "gender ideology," as defined by a specific executive order. It directly affects K-12 public schools receiving federal funding by banning instruction on certain gender-related topics. The key provision adds a new restriction to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, explicitly forbidding the teaching of these concepts in classrooms. The bill does not specify which topics are covered, only referencing the executive order's definition. This change applies to all federally funded elementary and secondary schools.

Maddy summaryS 278, the Kids Off Social Media Act, prohibits social media platforms from allowing children under 13 to create or maintain accounts and requires platforms to delete accounts of children under 13. It also bans the use of personalized recommendation systems for children under 13 and teens aged 13-16, with limited exceptions for basic device information. The bill requires schools receiving certain broadband subsidies to certify they prevent student access to social media on school devices through technology protection measures. Platforms would face enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission for violations, and the bill excludes certain educational platforms from the definition of "social media platform" to allow for educational use. The bill would take effect one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires adding a citizenship checkbox to the 2030 and future decennial censuses, asking respondents about their U.S. citizenship status for themselves and all household members. It mandates that the Census Bureau publicly release each state's total citizen and noncitizen population counts within 120 days after each census. The bill then changes how congressional representation is calculated by excluding noncitizens from the population numbers used to apportion House seats and electoral votes starting with the 2030 census. This directly affects how states' representation in Congress and the Electoral College is determined based on citizen population counts rather than total population.

Maddy summarySRES 307 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing support for U.S. and Israeli military strikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities on June 21, 2025 (Operation Midnight Hammer). It states the Senate opposes Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and commends the military actions taken to degrade Iran's nuclear program. The resolution does not create new laws, impose requirements, or directly affect any individuals or entities. It serves solely as a symbolic expression of congressional backing for the strikes, referencing specific operations and Iran's nuclear activities as context.