Sen. Tom Cotton

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 31) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule implementing the "Federal Good Neighbor Plan" for ozone air quality standards established under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. If approved, it would nullify the EPA rule (published June 5, 2023) that would have required certain states to address ozone pollution crossing state borders. The resolution uses a specific congressional disapproval process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code to prevent the rule from taking effect. This would directly affect states and industries subject to the ozone pollution regulations outlined in the EPA's submitted rule.

Maddy summaryS 1907, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023, increases penalties for crimes committed against licensed firearm businesses. It amends federal law to impose a maximum 20-year prison term for knowingly violating firearm licensing rules or attempting to do so. If a burglary or robbery occurs on a licensed dealer’s, manufacturer’s, or importer’s business premises, the law mandates minimum sentences of 3 years for burglary and 5 years for robbery. This bill directly affects federal firearms licensees by strengthening criminal penalties for attacks on their business locations.

Maddy summaryThe ONSHORE Act of 2023 establishes a $100 million annual grant program to fund site development for manufacturing and advanced manufacturing projects in strategically important industries. It directly supports rural, Tribal, and economically disadvantaged communities by prioritizing projects that improve infrastructure (like roads, power, and broadband), streamline permitting, and create local jobs. Grants cover 100% of costs for site readiness, including utility connections, environmental reviews, and workforce training programs. The bill prohibits funding for foreign entities of concern and limits any single industry to 20% of annual funds, aiming to strengthen domestic supply chains and attract foreign investment.

This resolution designates May 2023 as ALS Awareness Month. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Maddy summaryLeveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act makes significant changes to U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. It establishes special rules for successive investigations (follow-up investigations on the same merchandise), addresses cross-border subsidies and foreign market distortions that affect pricing, and requires importers to provide certifications to prevent duty evasion. The bill also includes provisions for investigating currency undervaluation as a countervailable subsidy. These changes primarily affect U.S. manufacturers competing with foreign imports and importers of goods from countries with potentially distorted markets. The bill aims to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of trade remedy investigations to better protect U.S. industries.

Maddy summaryThe APEX Act (S 1850) gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) authority to oversee how reference prices for aluminum premiums are set and reported in markets. It requires the CFTC to ensure these pricing mechanisms are fair and transparent, but explicitly states the CFTC cannot set or control actual aluminum prices. The bill mandates the CFTC to consult with the Attorney General on antitrust concerns related to these reference prices and allows the Attorney General to review CFTC regulations to confirm they align with antitrust laws. This directly affects markets and companies involved in setting or reporting aluminum premium reference prices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public secondary schools to grant military recruiters access to career fairs upon request, with schools needing to respond within 60 days. It also mandates colleges to provide military recruiters with lists of students (17+) who didn't return after the previous semester, including their contact details and reasons for not returning. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Defense to study expanding the Army's Future Soldier Preparatory Course to other military branches and assess its effectiveness in meeting fitness and academic standards. The changes directly affect schools and colleges that must adjust their recruitment policies, while the study aims to inform future recruitment strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill redefines "equity" within the Department of Defense as the opportunity for qualified individuals to participate in programs, prohibits mandatory adoption of beliefs about racial or ethnic superiority, and bans race-based distinctions in military personnel decisions. It directly affects active-duty service members, military dependents, and DoD civilian employees by requiring all promotions, assignments, and training to be based solely on individual merit and performance. Key provisions ban DoD directives compelling adherence to certain beliefs, prohibit training suggesting racial superiority, and mandate that demographic data collection for reporting remains the only exception to race-based distinctions. The bill focuses on ensuring military decisions prioritize merit over identity, aligning with the bill's stated findings about military readiness and equal opportunity.

Maddy summarySRES 224 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating May 2023 as "ALS Awareness Month." It recognizes the challenges of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells, noting that about 5,000 Americans are diagnosed annually and there is no cure. The resolution affirms the Senate's commitment to supporting ALS patients and caregivers, including access to treatments, research into causes, and reducing the disease's physical, emotional, and financial burdens. It does not create new laws or policies but serves to raise public awareness and honor efforts by families, researchers, and caregivers.

Maddy summaryThe Main Street Tax Certainty Act permanently extends the 20% tax deduction for qualified business income (QBI), which currently applies to owners of pass-through businesses like sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations. The bill achieves this by amending the tax code to remove an expiration date (via striking subsection (i) of Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code). This change directly affects small business owners who rely on the QBI deduction to reduce their taxable income. The key provision eliminates uncertainty about the deduction’s future, ensuring continued eligibility without requiring future legislative action.