This resolution acknowledges the 120th anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and commends the organization for its work mentoring the young people of the United States and strengthening thousands of communities.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 887) is a symbolic Senate expression of support for designating October 7-12, 2024, as "National 4-H Week." It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the 4-H youth development program, which serves nearly 6 million young people nationwide through community-based projects in health, science, and leadership. The resolution highlights 4-H’s role in fostering youth leadership and its partnership with land-grant universities and the USDA. It directly affects the 4-H organization, its 500,000 volunteers, and the youth members participating in the program.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 890) condemns Hamas for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people - including 40 U.S. citizens - and took hostages. It supports three specific outcomes: ensuring Israel's long-term security, preventing Hamas from regaining power in the region, and securing the safe return of U.S. hostages held in Gaza. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's position. The resolution was introduced by 45 Senators and passed unanimously on September 25, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to support domestic processing of critical materials (like minerals for batteries and clean energy tech) using innovative financial tools such as price support mechanisms. It requires the Energy Secretary to fund at least three domestic projects that process raw materials into usable forms, prioritizing those using feedstock from U.S. or allied countries (reliable sources) and having offtake agreements with domestic suppliers. The program, funded with $750 million, aims to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, enhance national security, and test how financial tools can stabilize markets. Projects must demonstrate energy/national security benefits, economic competitiveness, and reliance on non-"entity of concern" sources (foreign-controlled entities with conflicting interests).
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award Robert M. Gates, former Director of Central Intelligence and Secretary of Defense, a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his 27 years of public service to the United States. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, honors his roles in ending the Cold War, leading military transitions in Iraq/Afghanistan, and supporting veterans' welfare. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to the public to cover production costs. The bill is purely ceremonial, with no policy changes or direct effects beyond honoring Gates' career.
Maddy summaryThe End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2024 establishes a U.S. government policy to accelerate global efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), focusing on countries with the highest TB burden. It requires the President to set specific goals aligned with the World Health Organization's End TB Strategy, aiming to reduce TB deaths by 95% and TB incidence by 90% by 2035. The bill mandates annual reporting on U.S. TB assistance programs, including diagnostics, treatment, and prevention efforts, while requiring coordination with international partners like the World Health Organization and Stop TB Partnership. It emphasizes research for new TB diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines, and ensures TB programs can serve as platforms for responding to future respiratory pandemics.
Maddy summarySRES 830 is a Senate resolution recognizing the 150th anniversary of Purdue University Engineering. It highlights the university's historical contributions through notable alumni and engineering innovations, such as the Golden Gate Bridge blueprint, early aerospace advancements, and the first moon landing. The resolution encourages public celebration of this milestone and Purdue's ongoing role in engineering education. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or policies.
Maddy summaryThe STRATEGIC Act of 2024 establishes a comprehensive framework to counter the People's Republic of China's influence through expanded regulations, sanctions, and oversight measures. The bill directly affects U.S. institutions by prohibiting gifts and contracts from certain Chinese entities, requiring think tanks to disclose foreign funding, and restricting visa issuance for senior Chinese officials. Key mechanisms include amendments to the Foreign Agents Registration Act to strengthen enforcement, creation of new funds to counter Chinese influence, and requirements for reporting on climate cooperation and military installations. The legislation also establishes new oversight for science and technology agreements with China, creates a special envoy office for critical technologies, and implements sanctions against entities involved in South China Sea activities and intellectual property theft.
Maddy summaryS 3187, the Southern Border Transparency Act of 2023, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to publish detailed immigration data monthly and quarterly. It mandates CBP to post on its website the number of people granted parole at ports of entry, broken down by nationality, age group (like minors or families), and location. DHS must submit quarterly reports to Congress and post them online, detailing apprehensions, processing outcomes (such as parole, removal, or asylum screenings), and demographic breakdowns along the southern border. The bill also updates annual reporting requirements to track parolees' status, including employment authorization and whether their parole ended or was extended. These requirements directly affect CBP and DHS operations, aiming to increase public and congressional transparency about border processing.
Maddy summarySRES 821 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for designating September 15-21, 2024, as "National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week." It aims to raise public awareness about the importance of adult education, workforce skills, and family literacy programs, which help address challenges like low literacy rates affecting employment, healthcare access, and child development. The resolution encourages public support for existing programs but does not create new funding or policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect.
