Sen. John Boozman

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 14-20, 2023, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. It recognizes 444 officers killed in 2022 (including specific names listed in the resolution) and acknowledges 32 officers killed in 2023, while expressing support for law enforcement personnel. The resolution encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement officers and promoting awareness of their essential service. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policy or alter existing laws.

Maddy summaryS 1654, the Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2023, allows credit bureaus to include positive payment history for utility and telecommunications services in consumer credit reports. It directly affects consumers who pay utility bills (electric, gas) or telecom services on time, as well as utility and telecom companies that may now report these payments to credit bureaus. The bill permits reporting of payment performance under lease agreements for housing, utility payments, and telecom contracts, but only includes payment-related details - not usage data - and prohibits reporting late payments if a consumer is on a valid payment plan. A GAO study on the bill's impact is required within two years of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to help state, local, and tribal governments purchase and distribute anti-blood loss supplies (like tourniquets, gauze, and wound-packing materials) in high-traffic areas and near automated defibrillators. It requires grantees to implement public training on using these supplies for medical emergencies, with $10 million authorized for fiscal year 2024. The grants cannot be based on population size or violent crime rates, but funds will be apportioned by population. Additionally, the bill mandates a study by the Comptroller General on access to bleeding control kits and training, with a report due to Congress within 18 months of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps (1943-1948) as veterans for specific benefits. It amends veterans' law to count their service as "active duty" for eligibility to benefits under Chapters 23 and 24 of Title 38 (including headstones), excluding Arlington National Cemetery interment. The Secretary of Defense must issue honorable discharges to qualifying individuals within one year of the bill’s enactment and may create commemorative medals or plaques. It clarifies that recipients gain veteran status for these specific benefits but do not qualify for other VA benefits solely based on this service. The bill directly affects women who were honorably discharged from the Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution fills a vacancy on the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents by appointing Antoinette Bush of Washington, D.C., as a citizen regent. It specifies that her six-year term begins on April 25, 2023 (the date Steve Case's term expired) or the resolution's enactment date, whichever is later. The resolution directly affects Antoinette Bush by confirming her appointment to this specific position on the Board of Regents, as required by federal law.

Maddy summarySJRES 28 is a procedural joint resolution reappointing Roger W. Ferguson as a citizen regent on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. It fills a vacancy created when Ferguson's term expired on April 25, 2023, by reappointing him for a new six-year term starting on that date or the resolution's enactment date. The bill directly affects the Smithsonian Institution's governance by maintaining Ferguson's position on its board. This resolution follows standard procedure under 20 U.S.C. § 43 to reappoint an incumbent regent, with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution reappoints Michael Govan as a citizen regent of the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents, filling a vacancy caused by his term expiration on May 6, 2023. It directly affects Govan (a California resident) and the Smithsonian Institution by extending his service. The resolution authorizes a six-year term beginning on the later of May 6, 2023, or the resolution's enactment date, as required by law. This is a procedural measure to maintain board continuity without new nominations.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 23) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The rule, published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2022, established regulations for listing endangered/threatened species and designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. If passed, this resolution would nullify that rule, preventing it from having legal effect. The bill directly affects how the National Marine Fisheries Service implements species protection under federal law.

Maddy summarySRES 195 is a ceremonial Senate resolution congratulating students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools nationwide for their contributions to education. It formally supports the 24th annual National Charter Schools Week (May 7-13, 2023), encouraging public recognition of charter schools' role in providing diverse educational options. The resolution does not create new policies, funding, or obligations - it solely expresses legislative support for charter schools as part of a symbolic observance. It directly affects the charter school community by acknowledging their work during a designated national week.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Back the Blue Act of 2023," strengthens federal protections for law enforcement officers by creating new criminal penalties for killing or assaulting them while on duty. It makes it a federal crime to kill or attempt to kill law enforcement officers, federal judges, or federally funded public safety officers (including firefighters and first responders) during official duties, with penalties ranging from 10 years to life in prison or death if the victim dies. The bill also establishes a new federal offense for fleeing interstate to avoid prosecution for killing law enforcement officers and adds a new aggravating factor for death penalty cases involving officers. Additionally, it expands law enforcement officers' rights to carry firearms in certain circumstances and limits federal habeas corpus relief for murder convictions involving law enforcement officers.