Sen. Rick Scott

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 471) expresses formal support for National Adoption Day (observed November 18, 2023) and National Adoption Month (November 2023). It promotes awareness about children in foster care awaiting adoption, celebrates adoption success stories, and encourages U.S. citizens to support efforts securing permanent, safe homes for all children. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight adoption needs. It specifically references foster care statistics (e.g., 114,000 children awaiting adoption) to underscore its purpose.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to certify service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) instead of allowing self-certification for federal contracts. It mandates that all prime contracts and subcontracts counting toward federal procurement goals for SDVOSBs must be awarded only to businesses certified by the SBA as meeting SDVOSB criteria. Existing self-certified SDVOSBs have one year from the bill’s enactment to apply for formal SBA certification; those who don’t apply will lose their self-certified status after that period.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 49 seeks congressional disapproval of a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule that would have established a new standard for determining when two or more companies are considered "joint employers" under labor law. The rule, published in October 2023, would have affected businesses with complex employment structures, such as franchisors and contractors, by altering how joint employer liability is assessed for wage, hour, and union representation matters. If passed, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preserving the previous standard for joint employer determinations. The bill was introduced by Senators Cassidy, Manchin, Braun, McConnell, Marshall, Cramer, Capito, and Paul and referred to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Maddy summarySRES 408 is a non-binding Senate resolution condemning Hamas for its October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel, which killed over 1,400 Israelis and abducted nearly 200 hostages. The resolution demands Hamas immediately release all hostages, provide medical care, and cease using them as human shields, while calling on the U.S. to lead global efforts for their safe return. It specifically references Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities, the Nova music festival, and the execution of civilians, citing international law violations. As a symbolic resolution (not a law), it does not impose legal requirements or directly affect any individuals or policies.

Maddy summaryS 3286, the Disclosing Investments in Foreign Adversaries Act of 2023, requires investment advisers managing private funds to annually disclose the percentage of their private fund assets held in "countries of concern" (defined as adversarial nations under existing law) using Form PF or Form ADV. This applies to covered entities (advisers filing Form PF) and exempt reporting advisers, breaking down assets by specific country. The SEC must then publish annual, aggregated reports listing which advisers disclosed such investments, without revealing individual investor details. The bill focuses solely on transparency requirements for foreign investment disclosures, with no restrictions on the investments themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. money services businesses from engaging in any transaction involving China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC). It directly affects U.S. financial institutions, fintech companies, and payment processors operating under U.S. law. The key provision bans all direct or indirect handling of China’s CBDC, including processing payments or facilitating transfers. The law amends federal code to explicitly define and restrict these transactions, without altering existing sanctions or surveillance policies. It focuses solely on preventing U.S. entities from enabling China’s digital currency system.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates over $14 billion in emergency funding to support Israel's security following the October 7, 2023, attacks. It provides specific funding for military equipment (including $4 billion for Iron Dome and David's Sling systems), defense research ($1.35 billion for Iron Beam system development), and diplomatic support ($150 million for crisis response). The bill includes requirements for regular congressional reporting on fund usage, modifications to facilitate defense transfers to Israel, and budgetary offsets from other accounts. Funds are designated as emergency requirements and must be used for specific security purposes related to Israel's defense needs. The bill directly affects U.S. security assistance to Israel and establishes transparency through detailed reporting requirements to Congress.

Maddy summaryThe Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023 establishes the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund, initially funded with $150 million, to cover expenses related to seizures and forfeitures of property connected to sanctions violations by Iran or its designated proxies like Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The fund will pay for law enforcement costs including investigations, detention, equipment, and rewards for informants, with priority given to seizing oil and petroleum products that fund terrorist activities. The bill also creates an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to better coordinate federal agencies' efforts on sanctions enforcement. Annual reports to Congress will detail fund usage, seizures, and financial status, with the fund required to repay the Treasury $150 million by 2034 unless waived for national security reasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates U.S. immigration law to bar foreign nationals who are members or endorsers of specific terrorist groups. It adds Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS to the list of organizations whose members are automatically inadmissible to the United States. The amendment also clarifies that individuals who endorse or espouse the terrorist activities of these groups - directly or through affiliated organizations - would be affected. The policy directly impacts foreign nationals seeking entry or visas who have ties to these designated groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah (the Houthi group in Yemen) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization within 90 days of enactment, reversing a 2021 Biden administration decision that removed the designation. It mandates the President to impose existing sanctions under two executive orders: blocking assets of designated terrorists (E.O. 13224) and restricting travel for Yemeni nationals linked to terrorism (E.O. 13780). The sanctions directly target Ansarallah, its members, agents, affiliates, and any foreign entities owned or controlled by the group. This would restrict U.S. financial transactions with the Houthis and their networks, while also affecting Yemeni nationals subject to travel bans under the applicable sanctions.