Sen. John Boozman

Maddy summaryS 942 is a procedural Senate rule that would prevent consideration of any bill or amendment attempting to change the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. It creates a "point of order" (a procedural objection) that, if sustained by the Senate chair, would automatically remove such provisions from legislation. This rule applies to all Senate consideration stages, including amendments and conference reports, and requires a two-thirds vote to override. The bill directly affects any legislation proposing to alter the Supreme Court's size, blocking it from advancing through Senate procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the CDC to collect and publicly share information about concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affecting public safety officers, including research on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. It mandates updating the CDC website and developing targeted resources for medical professionals, public safety employers, mental health providers, patients/families, and researchers. The goal is to improve care for officers, reduce injury incidents through better protocols, and enhance awareness of TBI impacts. The bill specifically covers law enforcement, firefighters, and other public safety personnel as defined by federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies U.S. tax code to boost research and development (R&D) investment by businesses. It allows companies to immediately deduct R&D costs (instead of amortizing them over 5 years) and expands refundable tax credits for small businesses, raising the annual credit cap from $250,000 to $750,000 by 2032. Small businesses with gross receipts under $15 million can now qualify for higher credit rates (up to 20% of R&D costs) and may exclude years with no R&D expenses when calculating credits. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 2022, directly benefiting R&D-focused startups and small businesses.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 20) seeks to block a 2023 rule from the Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that classified certain firearms with stabilizing braces as rifles under federal law. If passed, it would nullify the rule, meaning firearms equipped with these braces would no longer be subject to the rule’s classification requirements. The resolution uses the congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code, to stop the rule from taking effect, directly affecting firearm manufacturers and owners who use stabilizing braces on weapons.

Maddy summarySRES 113 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing the importance of rural and agricultural media programming. It states that such programming - including farm weather updates, market news, and rural lifestyle content - is vital for farmers, ranchers, and the public’s understanding of food systems and supply chain issues. The resolution cites media consolidation as reducing access to this content and urges TV/streaming services to prioritize delivering it. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws, allocate funding, or mandate specific actions.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 110) honoring the late James George Abourezk, the first Arab American to serve in the U.S. Senate (1973-1979) from South Dakota. It commemorates his legacy, including his work re-establishing the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and co-authoring key Native American rights legislation like the Indian Child Welfare Act. The resolution directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory and send a copy to his family, acknowledging his service as a representative and advocate for Native American communities. As a procedural resolution, it has no legislative effect beyond commemoration.

Maddy summarySRES 107 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), proposed by Congress in March 1972, expired when its 7-year ratification deadline passed without enough states approving it. It affirms that Congress has no constitutional authority to alter the terms of a proposed amendment after it is submitted to states or after it expires. The resolution cites legal precedents, including Supreme Court rulings and a 2020 Department of Justice opinion, stating that ratification deadlines are binding and cannot be extended retroactively. It concludes that any future effort to adopt the ERA would require a new congressional proposal, not modifications to the 1972 version. This resolution does not change current law or affect ongoing state ratification efforts for a new ERA proposal.

Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2023 This bill establishes an area wage adjustment floor for Medicare hospital payments in states that are not frontier states and excludes such adjustments from certain budget neutrality rules.

Maddy summaryS 792, the Compact Impact Fairness Act of 2023, modifies federal benefit eligibility rules for citizens of the Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau). It directly affects these citizens who legally reside in the U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association by removing a 5-year residency wait for all federal public benefits. The bill adds an exception to Section 402 of the 1996 welfare law, ensuring these individuals are not subject to the general 5-year wait period for benefits like food assistance or housing aid. It also removes Medicaid-specific language from related provisions to apply this exception broadly across all federal benefit programs. This is a concrete policy change that expands access to federal benefits for a specific group of legal residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to mark the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service. It specifies three coin types: up to 50,000 $5 gold coins (90% gold), 400,000 $1 silver coins (90% silver), and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins, all to be issued in 2025. A surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollars) will be added to each coin's sale price, with all funds going directly to the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training to support its diplomatic history preservation work. The bill ensures no net cost to the government by requiring all design, production, and marketing expenses to be recovered through coin sales.