Sen. Chuck Grassley

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a section of federal law (18 U.S. Code § 1791(b)) to update the legal references regarding prohibited phone possession in prisons. It specifically modifies the code to include a new subsection "(d)(1)(F)" in paragraph (3) and adjusts the list in paragraph (4) to remove outdated references. The change directly affects the enforcement of existing rules about cell phones in federal correctional facilities. This is a technical citation update to the law, not a new policy or rule change.

Maddy summaryS 4150, the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Extension Act, extends a temporary provision in bankruptcy law by adding two more years to its current duration. It modifies Section 2(i)(1) of the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment and Technical Corrections Act (Public Law 117-151) to change the timeframe from 2 years to 4 years. This adjustment directly affects the mechanism that temporarily sets bankruptcy filing thresholds, providing continued stability for bankruptcy courts and filers under the existing framework.

Maddy summaryThe DISPOSE Act authorizes the U.S. State Department, in coordination with Defense and Justice, to fund the destruction of seized drug precursor chemicals in Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. It requires an implementation plan with specific timelines, budget projections, and measurable benchmarks to clear chemical backlogs, prevent re-entry into drug production, and ensure environmentally safe disposal. The plan must include annual progress reports to Congress detailing destroyed chemicals and program outcomes. Funding comes from existing International Narcotics Control programs, with no new appropriations needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It specifically applies to cases involving discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics in schools and federally funded programs. The bill clarifies that this guidance does not expand the Department's authority, alter existing discrimination standards, or affect First Amendment rights. It aims to ensure consistent enforcement against antisemitism under existing civil rights law, as previously adopted by the Department of Education.

Maddy summarySJRES 61 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Federal Highway Administration rule that established performance measures for the National Highway System, including a requirement to track greenhouse gas emissions from highway activities. The rule, published in December 2023, would have mandated that states and federal agencies assess highway performance using this emissions metric. If enacted, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the implementation of the emissions tracking measure. This action is pursued under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to reject federal regulations with a simple majority vote.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement specific anti-fraud and abuse recommendations from a 2020 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on aircraft registration risks. Within 180 days of enactment, the FAA Administrator must adopt these recommendations, which focus on preventing fraud and abuse in aircraft registration systems. The FAA must then submit a report to relevant congressional committees within 60 days of implementation, detailing steps taken to address the GAO's findings. The bill directly affects FAA operations and aircraft registration processes, not specific individuals or industries.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to strengthen gun safety measures by improving the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), requiring states to provide mental health records to NICS, and increasing penalties for illegal firearm purchases. It establishes a "Nationwide Project Exile Expansion" program to prosecute gun violence in jurisdictions with high homicide rates and creates a "Felon and Fugitive Firearm Task Force" to investigate illegal firearm purchases by convicted felons and fugitives. The bill also modernizes firearm commerce rules, clarifies interstate transportation of firearms, and mandates a study on mass shooting causes by the National Institute of Justice. It would directly affect states, federal agencies, law enforcement, and individuals seeking to purchase firearms, with specific requirements for background checks, record sharing, and prosecution of gun-related offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 4106 (Students Bill of Rights Act of 2024), requires public colleges and universities receiving federal student aid (Title IV funds) to follow specific rules protecting student organizations. It mandates that institutions cannot deny recognition to student groups based on lack of faculty advisors, organizational affiliations, or viewpoint, and must use neutral standards for distributing student activity fees and setting security fees for events. The law provides an appeals process for denied recognition or funding and allows students harmed by violations to sue for remedies like injunctions or damages. Institutions failing to comply face potential loss of federal funding after a court ruling, with the Secretary of Education tracking violations and enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryThe Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act (S 4092) requires the Department of the Army to ensure that at least 50% of funds for certain military production activities are used for work performed by Department of Defense employees or through public-private partnerships involving Army arsenals. It limits contracting out to non-government personnel to no more than half of these funds, with exceptions only for national security waivers requiring 30-day congressional notice. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress detailing expected workload at Army arsenals, actual workload achieved (including via partnerships), and required capital investments to maintain capacity. These provisions aim to sustain steady workload at government-owned arsenals to preserve technical expertise and readiness for emergencies.

Maddy summaryThe FARMER Act of 2024 increases federal subsidies for crop insurance premiums for farm producers who select revenue and yield protection plans, raising the subsidy rate to 77% for one coverage level and 68% for another. It also boosts the premium subsidy for the supplemental coverage option from 65% to 80% and adjusts coverage levels for that option. Additionally, the bill requires a study to evaluate expanding the supplemental coverage to counties larger than 1,400 square miles at a level between individual and county-wide coverage, with a report to Congress due within one year. These changes directly affect farmers purchasing crop insurance under these specific plans.