Sen. Mike Crapo

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Access to Recreation with Cash Act (PARC Act) requires all National Park System units that charge entrance fees to accept cash payments. This ensures visitors can pay with cash at every park entrance where a fee is collected, not just through electronic methods. The bill amends existing law to explicitly mandate cash acceptance at all such fee locations. The policy change applies to all national parks, monuments, and other units currently charging entrance fees under federal regulations.

Maddy summaryS 2911, the "Protecting the Right To Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2023," prevents federal officials from using emergency declarations to impose gun control. It bans the President from declaring emergencies under the National Emergencies Act or the Stafford Act for gun control purposes, and stops the Health and Human Services Secretary from declaring public health emergencies for the same reason. The bill also amends the Stafford Act to explicitly prohibit emergency declarations that would restrict firearm possession, sale, or transfer of firearms, ammunition, or related accessories. This directly affects how federal emergency powers can be used during crises, limiting actions that could impact gun rights under the Second Amendment.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution expresses Congress's support for Israel by declaring it is not a racist or apartheid state, rejecting antisemitism and xenophobia, and affirming the U.S. as a steadfast partner. It serves as a symbolic statement of bipartisan backing without creating new laws, funding, or obligations. Introduced by Senators Cotton, Cruz, and others in July 2023, it reflects congressional sentiment rather than policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to exclude certain veterinary student loan repayment or forgiveness assistance from taxable income. It specifically applies to veterinarians participating in programs under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 or similar state programs designed to increase rural veterinary access. The key change clarifies that financial assistance provided through these targeted programs is not considered taxable income for participants. This directly benefits veterinarians in rural areas who use these loan repayment options to practice in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2820) would amend the Antiquities Act to impose time limits on national monument designations. It requires that any new national monument or land reservation under the Act expire 6 months after creation unless Congress passes a new law extending it. If a monument expires without extension, the same land cannot be re-designated as a national monument for 25 years. This directly affects the President’s authority to establish monuments under the Antiquities Act and limits the permanence of such designations without congressional action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to withdraw three specific proposed rules related to the Endangered Species Act. The rules would have changed how species are listed, habitats designated, and interagency cooperation is handled under the Act. The bill prohibits these agencies from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the withdrawn proposals. It directly affects federal agencies' regulatory process for endangered species protection, halting these specific rulemaking efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2757) freezes current payment rates for veterans' transportation services provided through "special modes" (like non-emergency medical transport) starting January 1, 2023, preventing the VA from lowering these rates without strict conditions. It directly affects veterans relying on these transportation services and the contractors providing them. The key provision allows rate increases but requires the VA to conduct a detailed economic impact review, consult with veterans' groups and industry experts, and ensure new rates cover actual costs before any decrease can occur. This aims to protect veterans' access to care by preventing rate cuts that could disrupt transportation services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to allow schools to use existing federal funds for student sports clubs, teams, training, and related outdoor wellness activities. It directly affects K-12 schools by removing a previous restriction that barred such uses of ESEA funds. The key mechanism is an exception added to Section 8526(7), explicitly permitting these activities before the period ending that section. The change applies to funds already allocated under the ESEA, not creating new spending.

Maddy summaryThe Small Business Cyber Resiliency Act establishes a central resource hub within the Small Business Administration to improve cybersecurity support for small businesses. It requires the SBA to partner with existing small business development centers and other resource providers to deliver free cybersecurity tools, training, and incident response guidance directly to small business owners. The bill also mandates annual reports tracking how many small businesses received assistance and requires a study on cybersecurity risks faced by small businesses that shifted online during the pandemic (2020-2021). These provisions aim to make cybersecurity resources more accessible without creating new government funding.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 41) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific immigration rule issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The rule, published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2023, addressed "Circumvention of Lawful Pathways" in immigration processing. The resolution would formally block the rule from taking effect by directing Congress to disapprove it under procedures in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This action directly affects how USCIS and immigration courts implement certain immigration pathways.