Sen. Joni Ernst

Maddy summarySRES 673 is a commemorative Senate resolution honoring the late David Hampton Pryor, who served as a U.S. Senator for Arkansas from 1978 to 1997. The resolution expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" at his death and directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House and deliver a copy to his family. It does not create new laws or policies - it is purely ceremonial, recognizing Pryor’s career as a legislator, governor, and public servant. The resolution concludes with the Senate adjourning as a mark of respect for his legacy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 668) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring the late Senator Daniel Robert "Bob" Graham of Florida, who died on November 9, 2023. It formally expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death and directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the resolution with the House of Representatives and deliver a copy to his family. The resolution commemorates Graham's career as a Florida senator (1987-2005), governor (1979-1987), and his work on the 9/11 intelligence inquiry, but does not create any new laws or affect constituents. As a commemorative resolution, it serves solely to memorialize his service.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate resolution (SRES 669), not a law. It designates October 10, 2024, as "American Girls in Sports Day" to recognize the impact of women in sports and support for Title IX protections. The resolution calls on sports organizations to protect biological women and girls in competition, referencing claims about biological differences and displacement in championships. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect and does not change existing policies or laws.

Maddy summarySRES 670 is a Senate resolution condemning the rise of antisemitism on U.S. college campuses, citing a 700% increase in incidents since October 7, 2023, as tracked by Hillel International. It specifically criticizes campus administrators who enabled antisemitic activities, including protests expressing support for Hamas and targeting Jewish students. The resolution urges the Department of Education to ensure colleges comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on national origin - including antisemitism. It directly affects Jewish students, Israeli students, and campus administrators, while calling for enforcement of existing civil rights protections. The resolution does not create new laws but serves as a formal statement of condemnation and a call for accountability.

Maddy summarySRES 671 is a ceremonial Senate resolution supporting the designation of April 28-May 4, 2024, as "National Small Business Week." It honors small businesses and entrepreneurs across the U.S. for their economic contributions, noting they support over 62 million jobs through 33 million businesses. The resolution expresses the Senate's recognition of small businesses' resilience and role in strengthening local economies. As a symbolic gesture with no new policies or funding, it does not impose requirements or directly affect specific entities.

Maddy summarySRES 672 is a Senate resolution recognizing April 2024 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. It expresses the Senate's support for the month's goals, including raising public awareness about sexual violence, preventing assaults, improving support for survivors, and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable. The resolution specifically acknowledges the work of organizations like RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), local rape crisis centers, and professionals in law enforcement and healthcare who provide critical services to survivors. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves to highlight ongoing efforts to address sexual assault.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Secretary of Defense to consider Taiwan for enhanced defense industrial cooperation, including potential funding for joint research and formal agreements to boost Taiwan's defense industry and supply chain resilience. It mandates a feasibility study evaluating strategic benefits like supply chain security, mutual defense goods sharing, and interoperability, while accounting for legal and economic factors. The study must identify specific defense capabilities developed or produced in Taiwan that need expedited U.S. component licenses, or U.S. capabilities Taiwan cannot obtain timely from U.S. industry. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment detailing the study's findings. The bill operates within the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act and does not authorize direct military aid or security guarantees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Defense to study and develop a strategy for securing military energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region. The study must assess current energy logistics, infrastructure vulnerabilities (including cyber and physical security), political influences on energy access, and global refining trends. Based on this study, the Secretary must create a strategy identifying rapid-deployment energy solutions, needed U.S. infrastructure investments, security enhancements for supply chains, and collaborations with partner countries. The Secretary must submit a final report to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment, including study findings, the strategy, and any legislative recommendations. The bill directly affects Department of Defense operations and planning for military energy security in the Indo-Pacific.

Maddy summaryThe ELITE Vehicles Act would repeal federal tax credits for purchasing electric vehicles and related infrastructure. Specifically, it eliminates the existing credit for new electric vehicles (previously under Section 30D), the credit for previously-owned clean vehicles (Section 25E), and the credit for commercial clean vehicles (Section 45W). It also removes electric vehicle recharging stations from the alternative fuel refueling credit. These changes would take effect 30 days after enactment, directly affecting individuals and businesses that currently claim these tax benefits when buying or installing qualifying electric vehicle equipment.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule setting greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (Phase 3). If passed, it would nullify the EPA rule (published April 22, 2024) under the Congressional Review Act, preventing it from taking effect. The rule directly affects manufacturers of trucks and buses by establishing new requirements for reducing emissions. The resolution does not create new standards but aims to block the existing EPA rule through a formal disapproval process.